Despite its relatively secluded location in a residential area near Zhongshan Junior High School MRT Station (中山國中捷運站), Hestia Tapas Bar (西班牙小酒館) is a popular spot for Spanish fare.
The restaurant’s hard-earned reputation is endorsed by a wealth of positive food blogger reviews, and to cater to an expanding clientele it operates two venues, located opposite each other.
A last-minute visit on a recent Sunday evening almost ended before it had begun. “We are fully booked tonight,” said a staff member when I called to make a reservation. “But I can squeeze you in for an hour.”
Four hours later, my dining partner and I arrived at the restaurant.
The interior palette is brown, black and white, and with jazzy Spanish background playing in the background, the atmosphere is more chill-out lounge than restaurant.
The spot soon filled up after the clock struck six.
We began with oven-dried tomato and homemade chili-flavored sausage (NT$200), a harmonic combination of sweetness and savoriness, followed by pan-fried mushroom with garlic (NT$200). The deep-fried garlic provided piquancy and crunchy texture, while a delectable blend of herbs was strongly aromatic without overwhelming the delicate taste of the mushrooms.
The chef’s adept use of spices was also evident in the cubes of roasted beef short rib steak with honey and mustard seeds (NT$290).
Sprinkled with lime juice, each bite was an explosion of flavors. We also gave two thumbs up to the restaurant’s popular deep-fried calamari rings — crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside — with aioli (NT$220).
The tapas joint’s paella (NT$350 for a small plate and NT$900 for a large pan) was just the right moistness, and contained an appetizing mix of shrimps, clams, scallops and mussels.
Other recommendations include roasted pita bread pizza with green onion and white anchovies (NT$250), truffle risotto (NT$350) and fried potato with aioli and spicy sauce (NT$190). The drinks selection includes sangria (NT$220 per glass and NT$900 per pitcher), rebujito (NT$220 per glass) and Spanish red and white wines priced between NT$250 per glass and NT$1,650 to NT$3,500 per bottle.
With the fast and efficient service offered by the staff, who all wear black uniforms, the overall dining experience at Hestia Tapas Bar exceeded expectations.
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