Rioja

SETTING

Tucked in a small lane off busy Ploenchit Road, Rioja is located in a rowhouse with wrought-iron over the windows. Outdoor seating is available in the courtyard out front, while inside the decor is warm and rustic.

FOOD

The only Spanish restaurant in town offers specialities from the Iberian peninsula prepared by a talented Thai chef. Start with tapas, triangles of toasted bread topped with shrimps, ham and other delicacies, best enjoyed with a glass of sangria. Deep-fried shrimp croquette is another smashing starter, lightly breaded and fried until golden on the outside, tender and flavoursome on the inside. Beef carpaccio stuffed with duck liver served with Modena dressing is a surprising and tasty discovery, while salad of grilled goat cheese with Modena sauce delights the taste buds with just the right touch of tanginess. You can dine very well on these little plates alone, but a Spanish meal won’t be complete without a plate of paella and paella al marisco, with fresh seafood, does not disappoint. The menu also offers a large selection of meat entrees and grilled fillet steak with Cabralls cheese sauce is a delicious and filling choice. Finish with apple flan with lemon sauce or banana flambee with vanilla ice cream.

WINES

A good list featuring many Spanish wines as well as selections from France and Argentina. Prices range from 1,000 to over 10,000 baht.

SERVICE

Good service by knowledgeable, courteous waiters adds to the pleasure of the meal.

PRICE

A very good dinner for two without wines costs about 1,800-2,000 baht.

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