[Review] Discover Casa Lola, FOC Group’s New Spanish Dining Spot in the CBD, Inspired by Barcelona’s Neighbourhood Bodegas

Casa Lola, the latest dining concept by FOC Group, seeks to bring the relaxed atmosphere of a traditional Spanish neighbourhood bodega to Boon Tat Street in Singapore’s Central Business District. Co-founded by Barcelona-born chef Juanjo Carrillo and hospitality professional Marcela Pino, the restaurant takes inspiration from Juanjo’s Spanish heritage, childhood memories of southern Spain and the lively bodega culture of Barcelona.

At Casa Lola, the menu features familiar Spanish comfort food alongside contemporary interpretations, with dishes designed for sharing. The restaurant’s interior reflects this approach, with a cobalt-blue entrance, rustic timber, terracotta, exposed brick and Spanish tiles. Warm lighting and vintage Spanish artwork complete the look, creating a casual setting for a meal with friends or family.

We tried a selection of cold and hot tapas, followed by a main course and dessert, sampling some of Casa Lola’s offerings during a lunch tasting.

We began with the Sea Urchin Pate with Arenkha Caviar on Toast (2 pieces) (S$18).

Served on toast, the dish combines the distinctive flavours of sea urchin with the briny notes of caviar. The small portions make it a suitable starter, particularly for diners who enjoy seafood with a more pronounced taste and for something decadent.

The Momotaro Tomato Salad with Piquillo Peppers, Onion and Basil Pesto (S$20) offered a lighter alternative.

The tomatoes provided freshness and natural sweetness, complemented by the piquillo peppers and onion. Basil pesto added an aromatic element, bringing the ingredients together for a refreshing opener.

For the hot tapas, the Patatas Bravas with Hand-cut Agria Potatoes, Spicy Brava Sauce and Aioli (S$14) was a straightforward Spanish classic.

The dish centres on potatoes served with the two accompanying sauces, flavouring up the savoury potato with the spicy brava sauce and creamy aioli. It is a familiar choice for anyone who enjoys traditional Spanish bar food.

The Iberico Chorizo in Sherry Wine Sauce (S$22) offered a richer and more robust flavour profile.

The chorizo is cooked with sherry wine sauce, drawing on the Spanish tradition of serving small, flavourful bites alongside drinks. The dish also incorporates a lightly spicy sofrito and Spanish butter beans, with Manzanilla sherry used in the cooking process. Ask for some table bread to soak up the gravy to enjoy the dish right to the very last drop.

An item we found most interesting was the Crispy Plantain Fritters with Avocado Cream, Honey and Sriracha (2 pieces) (S$10).

The dish takes inspiration from the Spanish tradition of pairing fried aubergine with honey, but replaces the aubergine with plantain and adds a Latin American influence. The combination of crisp plantain, creamy avocado, honey and Sriracha brings together sweet, savoury and spicy elements, something quite unlike any other such starters we tasted before. It also provides a different texture from the other tapas, making it a useful addition to a selection of small plates.

For the main course, we had the Crispy Deboned Suckling Pig with Roasted Apple and Pumpkin (S$36).

Suckling pig is a well-known feature of Spanish cuisine, and Casa Lola’s version focuses on the contrast between tender meat and crisp skin. The pork is slow-cooked overnight before being deboned and crisped. It is served with roasted apple and pumpkin, which added sweetness to the savoury meat. The dish also comes with a reduction made from roasted bones and Port wine, alongside an apple and pumpkin chutney.

The suckling pig makes for a more substantial centrepiece after the smaller tapas portions. Its combination of crisp skin, tender meat and accompanying fruit and vegetables also reflects Casa Lola’s broader approach of serving Spanish comfort food in a relaxed setting.

We ended the meal with Casa Lola’s Chocolate Cake with Layers of Manjari 68% Dark Chocolate Ganache (S$18). Made in-house, the cake features chocolate sponge layered with dark chocolate ganache and finished with a glossy chocolate glaze.

Beyond the food, Casa Lola places considerable emphasis on the drinking culture associated with Spanish bodegas. Its wine programme features house wines poured from traditional wooden barrels and served in Spanish porrones, vessels traditionally used for sharing wine.

House-made sangrias are another option, prepared with fresh fruit and served in terracotta jugs. They are available in 500ml (S$38) and 700ml (S$68). These drinks complement the restaurant’s emphasis on communal dining, where food and drinks are shared over conversation rather than treated as separate parts of the experience.

Casa Lola is a welcome addition to Singapore’s Spanish dining scene, offering a casual alternative for diners looking to enjoy tapas, Spanish comfort food and wine in the CBD. Its menu spans traditional dishes such as patatas bravas and chorizo alongside less conventional combinations such as the crispy plantain dish. We will be back for more.

Casa Lola

Address:
3 Boon Tat Street, Singapore 069612

Opening Hours:
Tuesday to Saturday, 12pm to 3pm and 5pm to 10pm.
Closed on Mondays and Sundays.

Contact:
+65 9657 8020

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