Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai's signature Spanish restaurant, Albero serves up creative twists on classic Iberian dishes, using only the freshest seasonal ingredients.
Image courtesy of Albero
Decorated in the style of a Spanish red-tiled house – using the same type of stone that lines many bullrings in Spain – there are vaulted archways accented by deep crimson and earth tones, as well as expansive mosaics of Andalusia’s famed white towns, offering diners an authentic experience of Europe’s most passionate country.
Image courtesy of Albero
Chef de Cuisine Andy Zhou (who gained his Spanish pedigree at The W Suzhou’s Toro Loco) recently overhauled the Lunch Set (RMB198) menu, adding even more of the tastes from Europe’s Mediterranean shores, available daily from 11.30am-2pm.
Each set begins with a selection of Daily Tapas, plus toasted bread and crispy sesame-studded lavash, served with a romesco butter.
On the day of our visit, our tapas included salmorejo – a cold tomato and bread-based gazpacho of sorts – that saw the refreshing addition of honeydew melon and berries, plus a lashing of parsley-infused olive oil
Making up the tapas quartet were a crispy beef tongue croquette; crab meat tartar surrounded by dabs of avocado purée, mango and romesco sauce; and a potato salad toast, topped with a shaved chorizo and a runny-yolk quail egg.
Following the tapas course, diners can choose from eight mains, including Iberico Pork Chop with red pepper purée and patatas bravas and Wagyu M7 Flank Steak with piquillo peppers and a jerez vinegar sauce.
What piqued our interest most, however, was the restaurant’s signature dish: Paella Gallega.
Slow-cooked rice is speckled with chewy morsels of charred cuttlefish, and finished with mussels, clams and octopus.
An herbaceous pesto – coupled with green peas – add fresh notes, while crispy kernels of rice provide that beloved textural crunch.
The pan-fried Halibut Valenciano is ideal for spring, swimming in a buttery bath of saffron-laced cream sauce, surrounded by chopped shrimps and squid.
Unctuous and juicy, the Seared Lamb Loin is crusted in pistachio crumble, and flanked by a mint jelly beetroot sauce and a sherry vinegar demi glacé reduction.
Dessert ends with your choice of Ice Cream – chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and pistachio – or cinnamon-forward, gluey Andalusian Rice Pudding.
Beyond the lunch sets, the daily a la carte menu has been upgraded with a smattering of new dishes.
Not to be missed is the Grilled Octopus (RMB158) – a char-grilled twisting tentacle surrounded by dots of smoked beetroot purée, black garlic and black olive dust.
The poster child for Spanish comfort food – Patatas Bravas (RMB68) – receives an elegant facelift, sliced into confit cylinders and piped with zippy aioli.
The velvety spuds are next dribbled with a romesco purée and parsley oil, and finished with truffle “caviar,” pears and sous vide quail egg yolks.
Caviar Promotion
Bonus, Albero – along with Acqua and Havana Bar, also located in the Grand Kempinski Hotel, Shanghai – are offering an all-day caviar promotion... because it’s always treat yourself o'clock!
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Indulge in Queen Kaluga Caviar 7 Years (RMB198/10 grams, RMB498/30 grams, RMB798/50 grams), accompanied by blinis, sour cream, chopped egg yolk and white, shallots, scallions and lemon.
Albero, 2/F, Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai, 1288 Lujiazui Huan Lu, by Yincheng Zhong Lu, 陆家嘴环路1288号上海凯宾斯基大酒店2楼, 近银城中路.
[All images by Sophie Steiner/That's]
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