Vibrant dining experience combines modern Spanish tapas cuisine and progressive craft cocktails
January 30th, 2015
Enthusiastically channelling the vibrant tapas dining scene of Barcelona, FOC Restaurant by Nandu Jubany has enjoyed notable popularity since its Singapore launch in September 2014. Located within a ground floor refurbished shophouse space in the borderline scruffy Hong Kong Street, adjacent to Boat Quay and the CBD, FOC Restaurant delivers an authentic Catalan-style of modern Spanish tapas cuisine, together with a progressive cocktail program built around house blends and craft cocktails. A collaboration between Catalonia based chef-restaurateur Nandu Jubany, whose Can Jubay restaurant has maintained its Michelin star status for more than 19 years, and a highly regarded local team headed in the kitchen by chef Jordi Noguera, and at the bar by mixologist Dario Knox. Taking its name from the Catalan word for “fire”, FOC exudes the engaging and unpretentious ethos of Catalan dining, with its long open kitchen and bar facilitating an interactive experience with the culinary and mixology teams, best exemplified by the restaurant motto of “Fine Fun Food from Barcelona”.
The generously proportioned shophouse ground floor has been transformed into an exciting dining space, suffused with a quirky interior design created by acclaimed Barcelona design studio LaGranja Design. Sophisticated yet fun, the decor is highlighted by idiosyncratic elements drawn from Spanish pop culture – over-sized papier-mâché masks (modelled on the likenesses of the FOC team members) suspended from the ceiling add a dramatic statement in the rear alcove dining space – while the bar counter is faced with individual domino tiles. The elongated floorspace has two main sections – the front area features banquette tables facing the bar and open kitchen, plus seating at the bar counter, while high tables in the rear section are set under glass skylights, with a private dining room at the far end of the space.
Chef Nandu Jubany is renowned for his consummate renditions of traditional Catalan cuisine, artfully elevated with modern culinary techniques and sensibilities. Classic recipes feature fresh seasonal produce, either slowcooked, or charcoal-grilled in the Josper oven. Dishes from the uncomplicated yet sophisticated FOC menu that epitomise the progressive culinary style of chef Jubany include the Black Mediterranean “Paella” with seafood and garlic mayonnaise; Watermelon “Gazpacho” with charcoal smoked olive oil ice cream; and Octopus Galician style, prepared with paprika, olive oil and potatoes.
Sharing the space behind the long bar counter with the open kitchen, the mixology team serve up an accomplished cocktail program grounded on high-quality small batch spirits, with an emphasis on house-made blends, cask ageing, and imaginative ingredient and flavour combinations. The descriptive beverage menu is highlighted by the flavour-forward, handcrafted cocktails – superior quality, well-balanced drinks at reasonable prices. A wide selection of Spanish and international red and whites wines, together with cava and champagne, feature on the well-constructed wine list.
FOC Restaurant is open Monday to Saturday for lunch from 12pm, and dinner from 6pm. Reservations are recommended for the in-demand seats at the bar counter, as well as for tables in the two dining sections. And check the FOC Facebook Page for menu specials and seasonal updates.
FOC Catalan-inspired interior
FOC signature craft cocktails
