Perfectly executed modern tapas cuisine & polished cocktails at KL’s premier tapas-style bar

ohla tapas

May 15th, 2015

 Update November 2016: Ohla Tapas has closed

Setting a new benchmark in Kuala Lumpur for authentic Spanish tapas dining since its launch in 2013, Ohla Tapas & Cocktails  continues to impress with its consummate renditions of modern tapas cuisine. Occupying a long narrow glass-fronted space facing out over one of central KL’s main thoroughfares, Ohla exudes an understated urban sophistication, agreeably melded with a relaxed, unpretentious attitude. Taking inspiration from the progressive cuisine found at leading Barcelona tapas restaurants, the culinary team at Ohla, led by talented Spanish head chef Toni Valero, serve a well constructed menu of contemporary tapas dishes created from authentic ingredients imported fresh from Spain. Ohla adds a rewarding dimension to the KL restaurant scene with its well-executed concept of approachable fine dining in a relaxed, buzzy atmosphere, elegantly appealing to a savvy, cosmopolitan clientele.

Entering Ohla, guests can take one of the coveted seats at the long timber counter facing into the open kitchen, or choose between the window facing counters, or several individual tables in the adjacent compact dining space that are good for small groups. An attractive contemporary decor combines warm timbers with bold red aluminium bar seats, while the walls of the dining section feature a striking red and black photographic mural depicting the iconic running of the bulls fiesta. Ohla can be found at the street level of The Intermark building, conveniently accessible to the main business and shopping district and a short few minutes walk to KLCC.

Representative of the new wave of talented young Spanish chefs at the forefront of progressive tapas cuisine, Ohla head chef Toni Valero combines a solid grounding in traditional Catalan and Basque cooking techniques with imaginative combinations of authentic ingredients to create his flavourful dishes. Cooking with the charcoal-fired Josper oven, seafood and meats are roasted, and grilled over flames to impart the quintessential flavours of modern tapas cuisine. Standout dishes from the Ohla tapas menu that exemplify Valero’s modern cuisine include Grilled Scallop with Iberico Pork Belly, and the Confit Spanish cod fish loin, organic chick peas pan fried with Burgos black sausage. 

Ohla sommelier Gustavo Arriaga has drawn on extensive experience in leading Spanish bars and restaurants to assemble a thoughtfully curated list of regional, small-producer Spanish wines as the perfect complements to the bold flavours of the tapas cuisine. Additionally, he offers selections of sherries, Spanish vermouths, and a short but intriguing list of creative takes on classic cocktails. And with a selection of premium Spanish gins, the bar team serve up some of the best G&T’s in town.

Ohla Tapas & Cocktails opens Monday to Saturday (closed on Sundays) serving lunch and dinner (dinner only on Saturday). With limited seats at both the bar or dining tables, reservations are recommended.

Ohla Tapas: interior design

 

Ohla Tapas: modern tapas dishes

  • ohla tapas
    Olives marinated in olive oil aromatised with cinnamon, star anise, lemon, orange and black pepper & Yzagguire Red - Catalonian vermouth
  • ohla tapas
    Salt-cured anchovies sourced from L’Escala in Girona & Bouquerones pickled in vinegar from Casa Santoña
  • ohla tapas
    Grilled Mediterranean octopus on bed of mashed potato with a sprinkle of Pimentón de la Vera (paprika)
  • ohla tapas
    Grilled scallop wrapped in Ibérico pork belly, served on a creamy bed of lemon mash potato
  • ohla tapas
    Spanish codfish loin on codfish skin stew, with organic chickpeas & pan-fried Burgos pork blood sausage.
  • ohla tapas
    Pan-seared foie gras served with truffled potato puree and a 62º sous vide-cooked egg
  • ohla tapas
    Slow-cooked, crispy-skinned Ibérico suckling pig with broccoli, carrot, French beans, cauliflower & baby onions
  • ohla tapas
    Caramelised banana with brandy, housemade banana ice cream and popping dark chocolate candy

Ohla Tapas: cocktail selections

  • ohla tapas
    Jade & Tonic - Siderit gin, blue Curacao, matcha syrup, sous-vide-cooked longan, tonic & lemon leaves
  • ohla tapas
    Rosalia - vodka, ruby grapefruit juice, elderflower syrup & rosewater
  • ohla tapas
    Granizado - rum, matcha syrup, pomegranate liqueur, mint syrup, Rose's Lime & orange juice, garnished with a physalis