Clarissa's Kopitiam

From sticky tables to silver spoons. Jom makan.

  • Az-Zait restaurante, Seville

    Verdict

    3/5: Good enough

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: No
    • Standout dish(es): Steak tartar
    • Decor: Modern Andalusian
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Michelin Guide, nice experience but poor price-to-quality ratio

    Dish(es) savoured

    Menú “Hacienda el Monje” (5 pasos)

    • Láminas de foie con pan de aceite – Slices of duck foie gras with olive oil bread
    • Bolsitas rellenas de queso y gambas – Filo pastry with cheese and prawn
    • Lomos de lubina con pisto “marchenero” – Sea bass loin with ratatouille
    • Steak tartar de ternera con mostaza Dijon de frutos rojos – Beef steak tartare with blackcurrant Dijon mustard
    • Milhojas caramelizadas y frutas naturales – Caramelised millefeuille and fresh fruit

    Price

    • Menú “Hacienda el Monje” (5 pasos): €42
    • Final bill: £43 with a glass of wine

    Date

    • January 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • The Pastry Section

    Verdict

    2/5: Wouldn’t bother

    • Would it seek out: No
    • Would go back: Only if asked
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Modern cafe vibes
    • Service: Good, friendly
    • Other thoughts: Cinnamon bun – Tasteless; flavour entirely from the cream. Matcha cookie – Good edge texture, but mushy centre.

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Cinnamon bun
    • Matcha white chocolate amaretti

    Price

    • £4.00 cinnamon bun
    • £3.50 matcha cookie

    Date

    • April 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Castizo Tapas Bar, Seville

    Verdict

    3/5: Good enough

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: Only if asked
    • Standout dish(es): N/a
    • Decor: Modern, sleek
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Bar – Tapas. Tables – Restaurant menu only. Don’t make the same mistake I did!

    Dish(es) savoured

    • El arroz del día: Sea bass rice

    Drink(s) sipped

    • Sherry in a test tube

    Price

    • Final bill: £11

    Date

    • January 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • La Brunilda Tapas, Seville

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Confit de pato con crema de zanahoria especiada
    • Decor: Modern
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Big portions, reflected in the price

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Confit de pato con crema de zanahoria especiada
    • Arroz negro con chipirones y alioli
    • Torrijas de brioche

    Price

    • Final bill: £24 for 3 tapas and a glass of vino

    Date

    • January 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Bar Sal Gorda, Seville

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Oxtail donut
    • Decor: Modern tapas bar vibes
    • Service: Good
    • Other thoughts: Quirky & innovative, pre-book or go at opening time

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Oyster with Malibu foam
    • Carbonara croquettes
    • Oxtail donut
    • Steak tartare

    Price

    • Final bill: £26 for 4 tapas and a glass of vino

    Date

    • January 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Codfish Tomato Stew

    Basque-inspired codfish stew. Versatile dish where you can throw in almost anything. Suggestions include roasted bell peppers and beans. Add basil for an Italian twist. Pan fry the fish separately until golden for texture.

    Ingredients

    Tomato stew

    • Garlic
    • White onion
    • Canned tomatoes
    • Sweet paprika
    • Ground black pepper
    • Extra virgin olive oil
    • Optional: Lime/ lemon for zestiness, bay leaf for depth, vegetable stock for extra flavour

    Inspiration

    Date

    • April 2025

    Clarissa Ching

    , ,

  • 中国兰州拉面 Noodles Home 我家有面

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would it seek out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Spicy Beef Flank Noodles
    • Decor: Basic, canteen-style
    • Service: Quick and efficient; waitress offered extra meat as pork was over-fried straight up without being asked
    • Other thoughts: Not spicy despite the labelling

    Dish(es) savoured

    • Spicy Beef Flank Noodles
    • Fried Pork Steak Spicy Noodles
    • Sliced Beef

    Price

    • £12-£14 per bowl of Chongqing spicy noodles

    Date

    • April 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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  • Turmeric-Roasted Cauliflower Chicken with Hummus

    Spread a generous layer of hummus onto the plate, then pile on the toppings to your heart’s content.

    Ingredients

    Spices: Cauliflower & Chicken

    • 1 tsp ground cumin
    • 1 tsp smoked paprika
    • 1/2 tsp turmeric
    • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
    • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper

    Others

    • Pomegranates
    • Avocado & baby plum tomato salad

    Inspiration

    Date

    • April 2025

    Clarissa Ching

    , ,

  • The Black Grape

    Verdict

    4/5: Excellent, will go back

    • Would seek it out: Yes
    • Would go back: Yes
    • Standout dish(es): Whipped feta with pistachios & honey on charcoal crackers canapés
    • Decor: Modern, sleek
    • Service: Charming
    • Other thoughts: Wine bar and small plates restaurant, hosts wine events – sometimes free! A better wine bar than a restaurant: Canapés > Restaurant plates.

    Dish(es) savoured

    Chef’s Menu

    • Mushroom & miso broth, sesame & black garlic
    • Venison tartare, beetroot & sourdough scraps
    • Ricotta tortellini, pesto cream

    Others

    • Rhubarb and custard; poached rhubarb, rhubarb gel & custard chantilly served with meringue & vanilla ice cream

    Drink(s) sipped

    Chef’s Menu

    • White: Villa Noria Chardonnay
    • Red: Le Campuget, Syrah Viognier

    Price

    • Chef’s Menu: £25 for two courses and a glass of wine
    • Final bill: £45 pp including more wine, focaccia & pudding

    Date

    • April 2025

    Clarissa Ching

    , , ,

  • BABA

    Verdict

    3/5: Good enough

    • Would seek it out: No
    • Would go back: Only if asked
    • Standout dish(es): Marinated chicken thighs
    • Decor: Rustic, had hotel guests occasionally pass through in dressing gowns
    • Service: Fine, a bit slow
    • Other thoughts: Need to pre-book; tried walking in twice on weekdays without success

    Dish(es) savoured

    Tasting menu: BEST OF BABA

    • Lamb and haggis skewers, amba sauce
    • Hummus, burnt harissa butter, blonde raisins and lemon
    • Buffalo mozzarella, charred grapes and basil
    • Marinated chicken thigh, spiced spinach sauce and garlic yoghurt
    • Cauliflower shawarma, ras-el-hanout, tahini and rose

    Other dishes

    • Blackened sweet potato, saffron crème fraîche and harissa

    Drink(s) sipped

    • Dock of the Bay mocktail: Feragaia, pink peppercorn & bay leaf cordial, ginger ale

    Price

    • Tasting menu: BEST OF BABA: £27.50 pp
    • Final bill: £82 for 2 pax with a drink each

    Date

    • April 2025

    Clarissa Ching

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