Brunch Review is a column dedicated to our exploratory adventures of Shanghai's weekend brunches.
The Tomatito brunch is one we just keep going back to, for a number of reasons.
First up is that the sexy tapas is, well, sexy, and the options plentiful - there is always something you missed on one of the lists. What can we say, the El Willy Group don't let you down.
Secondly, the dining room has a lively-yet-relaxed atmosphere, while the decor is funky fun (kids love having an explore of all the Iberian knick-knacks on the walls and shelves).
And thirdly, it is an absolute bloody bargain, with four courses of sexy tapas for just RMB128. Add RMB80 you get two hours of siesta-inducing free-flow house wine or cava.
Those menu is split into four sections - para picar (to snack), los huevos (eggs), los fuertes (the bigger ones) and dulce tentación (desserts) - but, while you can only choose one of the biggies, the rest you can go freeform on. Let's have a run through them, starting with the para picar...
Crema de calabaza: Pumpkin soup with truffle
Ensalada de tomate con atún: Tomato salad with tuna, capers and basil oil
Filete con airbag: Cheese and steak air baguettes
Ensalada de espinacas: Spinach, raw mushrooms and balsamic dressing
Croquetas de la yaya: Grand mother’s chicken croquettes
Okay, so things get difficult right here at the very start. You see those filete con airbag? Those air baguettes filled with melted cheese and wrapped in a thin slice of steak?
You have to order them. Every time. Just do it and thank us later.
The rest is all great too, but the filete con airbag are one of the best things ever. So if you want something else on that list you either have to forgo the los huevos or dulce tentación lists, or order tactically with a friend. Decisions, decisions. Right, on to los huevos...
Rotos con panceta: Broken fried aggs with homemade smoked bacon
What is brunch without eggs? As well as the rotos con panceta above, they also do fritos con jamón - fried eggs with ham, which also come with salty, tasty Spanish fries - and tortilla de patatas - your classic Spanish omelet with potatoes.
And if you are feeling fancy you can spend RMB25 extra and add foie gras to the huevo cocido a baja temperatura con parmentier trufado - slow cooked egg with truffle mash. Onto the biggies - los fuertes...
Albóndigas: Mama style homemade meatballs in natural tomato sauce
Pincho moruno: Spanish style marinated lamb skewers
Zarzuela: Spanish fish stew
Once again, a very troublesome list. Those meatballs are great, especially for bread dipping the sauce, but who can turn down that fish stew? Meanwhile, the marinated lamb skewers are seasoned to perfection, and also come with those salty, tasty Spanish fries.
Off camera, and also on offer, are the pulpo a la gallega - Atlantic octopus, smoked potato and paprika sauce - and entraña de wagyu - wagyu marble 7 with mushrooms, which will set you back an extra RMB72.
Remember, you can only have one thing from this list. This is the list that means we keep having to go back.
Finally, dulce tentación...
Profiteroles: explosive cream puffs with chocolate sauce
Torrijas
Brioche soaked in vanilla milk,
dulce de leche and honey ice cream
Arroz con leche de coco: Rice and coconut milk with flavored pineapple
If you still have room (and we never do) there are four desserts on offer - these three above, and a tatin de manzana - caramelized apple tart and vanilla ice cream. The photos kind of speak for themselves. Sweet, sweet goodness.
All that? Just RMB128. Those crazy, sexy Spanish. We love 'em.
See a listing for Tomatito.
Read more Shanghai Brunch Reviews.
[Images courtesy of the venue]
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