/ Reviews / Spanish
La Verbena
by Rosy Meek
on Monday, June 30, 2008 12:00 AM
La Verbena is the perfect spot for a party, the location, views, fantastic terrace and live band make sure it lives up to its name. It has a relaxed and hospitable atmosphere that creates an impressive Mediterranean vibe on the busy byways of the HuangPu. Salsa rhythms from the live Cuban band are interspersed with the loud bass horns of passing ships, the banks of the river aglow with Shanghai's nightlights encouraging you to wile away the hours over dinner and take a typically Spanish promenade to draw your evening to a close. La Verbena has added a new cocktail of goodies to their menu courtesy of a new compere in the Kitchen. Executive chef Alberto, a Spanish native has mixed up the traditional tapas menu and given it a revolutionary edge, making La Verbena a party that really paints the town red.
The shrimp ravioli with seafruits and mango membrillo is intriguing and proves to be popular with guests (68RMB). Marinated Salmon served in 3 ways is light and clean drawing inspiration from Japanese sashimi (40RMB). The shrimp lollipop with tangy salsa was crispily pan seared, the avocado taking the edge off the tangy salsa (68RMB). Baby suckling pig and octopus terrine is a feat of preparation; paper thin slices of pork and octopus are layered to create a perfectly formed terrine, an unlikely union but no less appetizing (58RMB).
The paella was the real party piece, and La Verbena puts its name to it, hosting large langoustines, mussels, prawns and chunks of chicken served in a large pan. Although it takes time to prepare its well worth the wait and is the carnival queen of this restaurant with the tapas coming in a close second (280RMB).
With a selection of cocktails for 50RMB guests are encouraged to enjoy the ambience over a few post-work drinks , the terrace creating the perfect place to mingle ‘no invitation necessary'!
