Tapas, drinks and company

Shortbread with olive tapenade, piquillo red pepper, white anchovies and Manchego cheese at Uno Mas.[Photo/China Daily]

Hong Kong

Sharing a selection of tapas is an ideal way to bond with friends and family, and the Mediterranean treats are not as far away as you think. Donna Mah points the way.

When visiting Barcelona a few years ago, I was excited by the prospect of being able to sample a great variety of tapas (small dishes) at the local bars and eateries. Often, I was tempted to try everything, but my stomach would not let me. Still the beauty of tapas is being able to sample a variety of dishes and enjoy a drink or two, on your own or with company.

In Hong Kong, where many of my friends enjoy sharing and sampling food, going for tapas is a perfect dining option. There are hot and cold dishes, there are meat, seafood and vegetable dishes, and there is choice. A nice glass or two of sangria, cava, or cold beer goes down with it all.

A long-time favorite venue for tapas, and a good selection of mains, is Rico's in the Soho area.

Rico's moved down from its Robinson Road location, and at its current address you get a good mix of diners - locals, expatriates, tourists. With dark wood decor and live guitar music, it's a popular place. If you go with a group who don't know each other very well, discussion about what to order and a review of each dish help keep the conversation flowing. As do the jugs of sangria.

Chorizo is always a good choice at Rico's, and the paella. We also loved the fragrant gambas (shrimps), which were nice and garlicky - just the way we like them. Dinner is about HK$300 ($39) per person here.

On the first floor of a commercial building in Wan Chai on Lockhart Road is Uno Mas. It's slick looking with high ceilings, funky music and a fairly large, brightly lit open kitchen area. There also is an outdoor terrace where you can enjoy people- watching as you dine al fresco.

On my first visit to Uno Mas, my friend suggested I order the white sangria.

"It's really pretty and yummy, too," she enthused. She was right. It was the perfect refreshing beverage and came with lots of beautiful fresh-cut fruit floating in it. They also make this with cava or ros. Also served: Estrella Damm Inedit, a Catalan wheat beer at HK$100 for 750 ml. It comes in a stylish bottle and is brought to your table in an ice bucket.

We had the shortbread with olive tapenade, piquillo red pepper, white anchovies and Manchego cheese with our drinks. It's sweet, it's sour, it's salty. It's not for everyone, but I enjoyed the mix of tastes and flavors.

One of my favorite tapas is the tortilla de patata (potato, onion, and egg omelet with aioli). We ordered one made with bits of chorizo sausage, creamy in the middle and held together well. The aioli added a bit of a kick and richness to the dish. Served warm, it really hit the spot.

Uno Mas serves a set lunch of unlimited tapas for HK$138 per person (add HK$50 for unlimited soft drinks or $80 for unlimited cava). Dinner is about HK$300 per person.