Simply put, I love tapas. Bubbles & Wines has come up trumps with their new tapas-style brunch ($400/person), served Wednesday–Sunday from 12–6pm (last order 3:45pm). Two-hour free-flow (+$250) can be added on, to include cava and Spanish red and white wines.
Ever since it opened last year, Bubbles & Wines has become a regular spot for the Stanley community, also drawing city dwellers to venture out to this charming coastal area. This time, we dined outside in the courtyard-esque setting, with the sun beating down. It reminded me of my favourite spot in Barcelona, El Casal. Just as at El Casal, the tapas at Bubbles & Wines are superb, executed perfectly. Also – word to the wise – go with an empty stomach!
The sharing starters – unlimited! – include:
- Manchego cheese with extra-virgin olive oil
- Spanish charcuterie
- Padrón peppers with sea salt
- Smoked salmon with cream cheese
- Broken eggs with chorizo and potato
- Black Angus croquettes
My favourite starters were the broken eggs with chorizo and potato and the Black Angus croquettes. I’ve had many croquettes that have been oily and overfried. These deep-fried beef balls are a delight – crispy on the outside and oozing tasty meat on the inside.
For the main course, you have a choice of three dishes from five options. Already full, we pressed ahead with:
- Gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp)
- Spanish-style Camembert
- Pulpo a la gallega (Galician-style octopus), for an extra $50 per person
The Camembert could have been a disaster – overbake it and it goes hard. This was spot on – nice and gooey on the inside and topped off with crispy serrano ham.
Garlic shrimp is a staple dish on every tapas menu. The shrimp at Bubbles & Wines are cloaked in garlic-infused oil and served with aioli (i.e., more garlic). I wasn’t disappointed in this classic dish delivered splendidly.
The octopus had me begging, “Uno más, por favor” (one more, please). The mollusc had clearly been slow-cooked with care. Cooked for too long, octopus is known to become dry and tasteless, however, this version was soft, tender and delectable.
Verdict
Bubbles & Wines is a fantastic spot for a relaxed brunch, with great service to match the delicious tapas-style menu. Trust me – you will not be disappointed if you book in here for the coming weekend (followed by a siesta session).
Bubbles & Wines
26 Stanley Main Street, Stanley, 5721 6161 (WhatsApp)
This write-up is based on a complimentary media tasting provided in exchange for an honest review and no monetary compensation. The opinions expressed here represent the author’s.
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