by Aude Camus
Aqua Restaurant Group is bringing a taste of Spain to Tai Kwun with aqua nueva, the group’s award-winning tapas restaurant in London, taking over the space at Statement for the next 2 months. Who is in the mood for tapas and sharing platter?
The pop-up’s menu features creations from aqua nueva’s head chef Yahir Gonzalez, creations that have made aqua nueva continuously popular since opening in London more than 10 years ago.
Aqua Restaurant Group is bringing a taste of Spain to Tai Kwun with aqua nueva, the group’s award-winning tapas restaurant in London, taking over the space at Statement for the next 2 months. Who is in the mood for tapas and sharing platter?
The pop-up’s menu features creations from aqua nueva’s head chef Yahir Gonzalez, creations that have made aqua nueva continuously popular since opening in London more than 10 years ago.
Shall we start with a few tapas? The Iberico ham bellota 30-months (HKD 68 for 25 gr / HKD 108 for 50 gr) or 48-months (HKD 158 for 25 gr / HKD 268 for 50 gr) is not to be missed with its strong flavours of cured meat showing hints of nuts and its perfect balance between fatty and meaty.
The rustic tomato bread (HKD 38), also known as pan con tomate, is definitely a hit and I’m loving that it is served on a buttery brioche.
Another must order is the beef short ribs, potato gratin and chimichurri (HKD 138) that I so flavourful it makes the potato bravas with black garlic and tomato sauce (HKD 98) look a bit dull if you ask me. I did not try the spicy crab tostadas (HKD 148) but it comes highly recommended so please give it a go and let me know your thoughts.
Here comes the platter of croquetas (HKD 85 for 10 pieces, 5 different flavours) also known as the winner of the UK’s best croquetas. I have to say not all croquetas were equal.
Here comes the platter of croquetas (HKD 85 for 10 pieces, 5 different flavours) also known as the winner of the UK’s best croquetas. I have to say not all croquetas were equal.
I found the Iberico ham one (HKD 48 for 4 pieces) rather disappointing, especially after such an exciting taste of Iberico ham when starting the meal, but would definitely recommend the Manchego cheese and black truffle croqueta (HKD 28 for 4 pieces) and the Black seafood croqueta (HKD 38 for 4 pieces).
If you are in the mood for paella they have you covered with two options: the paella negra (HKD 148 for a small paella / HKD 248 for a large one) with squid ink and the paella valenciana with rabbit, snails, artichoke, green beans and saffron negra (HKD 178 for a small paella / HKD 348 for a large one). I haven’t tried any though as I was more focus on dishes to share. Turns out it was a great idea because I loved both dishes I tried. The Iberico pork fillet with Pedro Ximenez sauce, lentils and chorizo (HKD 388) is a very comforting dish and the Pedro Ximenez sauce brings a nice acidic kick that prevents it from being too heavy. The roasted octopus with green chilli sauce and potatoe and chorizo foam (HKD 158) is everything I love: the squishiness of the octopus, the softness of the potato and chorizo foam and the nice kick of the green chilli sauce.
Not sure what to order and/or willing to try a bit of everything? Go for the El Viaje tasting menu (HKD 588 for 7 courses / add HKD 300 for 2-hours free-flow Veuve Clicquot and HKD 500 for Ruinart) or the brunch menu (HKD 358 for 5 courses / add HKD 300 for 2-hours free-flow Veuve Clicquot and HKD 500 for Ruinart) available on fridays, saturdays and sundays.
Until January 21
Dinner daily from 5 pm until 10.30 pm
Brunch Friday to Sunday from noon to 3 pm
Aqua nueva x Statement
Police Headquarters Block 01, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Rd
If you are in the mood for paella they have you covered with two options: the paella negra (HKD 148 for a small paella / HKD 248 for a large one) with squid ink and the paella valenciana with rabbit, snails, artichoke, green beans and saffron negra (HKD 178 for a small paella / HKD 348 for a large one). I haven’t tried any though as I was more focus on dishes to share. Turns out it was a great idea because I loved both dishes I tried. The Iberico pork fillet with Pedro Ximenez sauce, lentils and chorizo (HKD 388) is a very comforting dish and the Pedro Ximenez sauce brings a nice acidic kick that prevents it from being too heavy. The roasted octopus with green chilli sauce and potatoe and chorizo foam (HKD 158) is everything I love: the squishiness of the octopus, the softness of the potato and chorizo foam and the nice kick of the green chilli sauce.
Not sure what to order and/or willing to try a bit of everything? Go for the El Viaje tasting menu (HKD 588 for 7 courses / add HKD 300 for 2-hours free-flow Veuve Clicquot and HKD 500 for Ruinart) or the brunch menu (HKD 358 for 5 courses / add HKD 300 for 2-hours free-flow Veuve Clicquot and HKD 500 for Ruinart) available on fridays, saturdays and sundays.
Until January 21
Dinner daily from 5 pm until 10.30 pm
Brunch Friday to Sunday from noon to 3 pm
Aqua nueva x Statement
Police Headquarters Block 01, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Rd
This write-up is based on a complimentary dinner tasting hosted by Aqua Restaurant Group. No money has been paid for publishing this review which is purely based on the genuine opinion of its author.
