The Spanish Art Of Tapas

Thailand introduced me to a lot of new things, particularly when it comes to its diversified cuisine.

Little did I know that it would also introduce me to the Spanish art of tapas. Originally, they were only simple snacks to go with a glass of sherry. But as tapas grew in worldwide popularity, people started to plan events and parties around them. In essence, the diner chooses from an assortment of appetizers that would add up to a full meal. And that is what the Tapas Friday event at Café8.98 is all about.

The selection is comprised of 25 tapas, which are divided into three categories: vegetarian, fish, and meat. When the Tapas Friday first started, the café focused mostly on Spanish tapas, for obvious reasons. But in order to appeal to a wider audience, they have gradually included appetizers from all over the world such as Japanese miso glazed salmon, Vietnamese spring rolls, and Thai spicy tuna tartare.

While I was browsing through the options, I tried to create an “All-Star” menu of sorts, with as many different tapas as possible. I mean, the Thai cuisine is all about the harmony between the five flavors (sweet, salty, bitter, spicy, and sour), so I wanted to achieve something similar. The mushroom larb salad, for example, took care of the spiciness thanks to its Laotian roots. Even the tomato & basil bruschetta had a bit of chili in them. My favorite bruschetta, however, were the ones with goat cheese, slices of beetroot, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. Beetroot itself doesn’t have a lot of flavor, which makes it a perfect companion piece to the strong and salty taste of the cheese.

I loved using the complimentary homemade bread to soak up the sauce to the very last drop. It’s the simple things in life, my dear ladies, and gentlemen.

flavor, which makes it a perfect companion piece to the strong and salty taste of the cheese.
On the meat front, I started with a trio of lamb meatballs in a thick tomato sauce. While the meatballs were fantastic, I loved using the complimentary homemade bread to soak up the sauce to the very last drop. It’s the simple things in life, my dear ladies, and gentlemen. Afterward, I was all about the tasty finger food. Although in all fairness, the meat on the espresso BBQ pork was so tender that I could’ve easily removed it off the bones with a fork and knife. I was intrigued by the combination of grilled meat and an espresso marinade. But I’m glad to say that it absolutely works. Oh, and it also came with a good serving of coleslaw, which made the decision a lot easier. My favorite tapas of the evening, however, were the breaded chicken wings with a phenomenal galangal/lemongrass/coconut dip. It was as if they condensed the Thai coconut soup tom kha into a delicious, exotic dip. If Café8.98 ever decides to put this sauce on the market, I’m certain that it would be a smashing success.

Since there weren’t any desserts on the menu, I decided to go with the next best option – Parma ham & melon. An Italian classic that combines the saltiness of ham with the sweetness of a cantaloupe. Thank you, to whoever came up with this unusual yet genius combination.

But a Tapas event wouldn’t be complete without a fruity sangria. Besides the obligatory red wine and mixed berry, the Spanish beverage à la Café8.98 includes triple sec, sprite, white rum, and soda, amongst a few other tropical ingredients. The preparations for their sangria started 24 hours before the event. That way all the fruits were able to soak up as much of the alcoholic fruit punch as possible. It is a dedication that paid off as the drink was just as sweet as it was strong. This can be a devilish combination if you are thinking about having just one more glass. And then another one…

So, if you are by now as intrigued by the idea of a tapas night as much as I was, then you don’t have to wait another two weeks for the next Tapas Friday at Café8.98. The neighboring sister restaurant of Jenna’s Bistro & Wine has a selection of 20 different tapas every night. They include some of the new ones from this event as well as a variety of classics that have proven successful in previous ones. So, whether you want to try it out by yourself or share a dozen appetizers with your friends and family, it is without a doubt a pleasant alternative to a regular night out.