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El Willy's

By David Evans (bestfoodinchina.net)
Updated: 2009-01-13 15:20

In the heart of downtown Shanghai just a short walk from the old Xiangyang Road market is a Spanish restaurant that serves some of the best tapas you will find in the city. And the name of this restaurant I hear you ask? El Willy.

The restaurant’s namesake is the very friendly if not, ever so slightly, eccentric, Willy. After joining the restaurant to become head chef and part owner in February 2008 this quaint little restaurant has gone from strength to strength and it is very easy to see why. The variety of dishes and the fresh clean flavours make this a lovely place to eat.

The menu is a great mix of traditional fare and Willy’s own special signature tapas brings some contemporary flavours to this Spanish staple. All the dishes use fresh ingredients, the sauces are made in the kitchen and the herbs are picked from the array of pots that line the garden wall. The sizable outdoor space would be a lovely area to dine in during the summer, but with the onset of a chilly Shanghai winter we headed inside for cosy warmth.

We started the meal with probably the most well known tapas there is, Patatas bravas (38rmb). Having eaten this dish many times in restaurants I had a lot to compare this dish against. The spicy tomato sauce, with cheese and potato wedges didn’t disappoint.

My favourite dish of the evening was the layers of foie gras micuit (75rmb). A large rectangle of delicate foie gras layered with apple and smoked eel that one spreads on mini pieces of baguette which, when popped into the month, dissolve with an explosion of flavours.

The beef cheek (58rmb) combined a lovely stewed beef with tiny pieces of banana wrapped

in a miniature pancake. Although a peculiar combination, I have to say it was a great mixture of flavours and textures. The gambas al ajillo saute (68rmb), a group of king prawns served in a sardine tin, was a simple but delicious dish.

After polishing off the tapas and licking the plates clean we moved onto the paella dishes with lobster paella (198rmb) and black truffle and pumpkin creamy rice (185rmb). Both were good and had plenty of creamy rich sauce. The former included two halves of a lobster. Although they were both nice they failed to steal the show from the previous dishes.

To round off the meal we tried the mixed dessert platter (75rmb). With a good selection of sweets this was a nice way to finish.

The paellas might be a little on the expensive side at just under 200rmb but the tapas is excellent and the dishes range from the affordable to the more extravagant, but none will break the bank. There is also a fine selection of international wines, of which there are many excellent Spanish choices.

This restaurant has an elegant Spanish feel while at the same time reflecting the trendy and modern style of the food on offer. This is a great place to dine with a date, relax with friends or bring a business client.

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Location(s) 20 Donghu Road shanghai Tel: (86 21) 54055757