FOC Restaurant returns with bold flavours from Barcelona (think: Cantabrio anchovies on brioche and crispy paella!), alongside cocktails we’d come back for.
Stepping into FOC Restaurant, an uncommon sight greets you. It’s not every day you see oversized sculptures of the chef and owners’ heads on the wall on one end (they’re inspired by traditional Catalan figures with papier mâché heads), and a motorbike on the other. At this new restaurant in Singapore (well, newly reopened), the decor blends the usual restaurant design with unexpected surprises. Venturing inward, I spotted two rows of mirrors on another wall, which were shaped to resemble Barcelona’s cityscape from an aerial view. It’s a playful nod to the restaurant’s Catalan roots, no surprise if it still holds its reign as one of the best Spanish restaurants in Singapore.
For the uninitiated, FOC Restaurant was once housed at Hong Kong Street for 11 years until it temporarily closed for a revamp. Now that it’s found a fresh home amidst Keong Saik Road’s food scene, I was stoked to have a taste of its menu.
Rooted in Catalan and Mediterranean influences yet unafraid to play, this is a restaurant that knows how to feed your appetite and your sense of fun. With dishes that swing from familiar to experimental, interiors that double as conversation starters, and cocktails that beg to be photographed, FOC Restaurant is back – bold and brimming with flavour. I expected the menu to be as packed with surprises as its decor, and it sure delivered.
FOC Restaurant review: Details at a glance
Best for: Reimagined Spanish favourites, Mediterranean flavours, and delectable cocktails
Must-order dishes: Smoked Cantabrico anchovies and crispy paella
Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday, 12pm to 11.30pm; Friday and Saturday, 12pm to 12am; Sunday, 6pm to 11.30pm
How much: Tapas from $16, mains from $36, paella from $38, cocktails from $22
Address: FOC Restaurant, 32 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089139
Small plates, lasting impressions
If you want to be wowed from the start, order the smoked Cantabrico anchovies on charcoal brioche ($11 for two pieces). This morsel sports an unassuming size, but it’s the starter I’m still dreaming of. The salted caramel butter almost tastes like it belongs in a dessert, but it goes swimmingly well with the savoury, briny flavour of the anchovies. Layered atop charcoal brioche slices, it had a nice bite that whetted my appetite.
Next up, hand-cut Iberico Jamon ($32) served with toasted bread and tomatoes. Snag a seat by the counter and you’ll see the ham sliced in front of you. Each slice is deliciously salty and cut to the ideal thinness. The bread and tomatoes cut through the saltiness for a lighter bite with a bright tanginess. Full disclosure: I’m typically not a fan of tomatoes, but something about this combination made it unexpectedly pleasant, even on my palate.
Not one to stop at two starters, my dining companion and I ordered a third – and we’re glad we did. The dry-aged wagyu beef tartare on dry chipotle brioche ($20 for two pieces) is a must-try in our books. Served with a dollop of caramelised onion ice cream, slightly reminiscent of French onion soup, it added a deeper flavour to the dish, with a subtle hint of sweetness that elevated the restaurant’s signature beef tartare. Complemented by a dash of mustard, this bite-sized snack packed an outsized punch.
If you thought three starters are too many for a table of two, let us convince you otherwise. Because we weren’t about to pass up on the ‘Patatas Bravas’ FOC style ($6 for two pieces) with aioli and spicy brava sauce. These steamed, layered, and deep-fried potato pieces had an incredibly satisfying bite, and we savoured them with dollops of sauce – the aioli added a creamy texture while the brava sauce gave it a piquant kick.
Bigger and bolder dishes to try
The charcoal-grilled octopus ($34) greeted the table with the delicious aroma of the grill. It’s smoky, tender, and just the right amount of charred. Layered atop cabbage and pork jowl (which tasted like bacon, but better) that added texture and depth, the dish is hearty and satisfying without being heavy.
For our next protein, the braised oxtail ($38) was juicy, tender, and paired with foie gras (it’s hidden within the oxtail patty), which added an indulgent creaminess. This bite tasted like comfort food taken to the next luxurious level. The port wine sauce brought everything together with a savoury glaze, and it had just enough sharpness to cut through the richness of the meat.
But if there’s only one main that you’ll order, make it the seafood ‘Senyoret’ paella ($42). Cooked in a large, shallow pan to ensure that every bite has that perfect socarrat crunch, it’s topped with succulent Mediterranean red prawns and plump Hokkaido scallops. This was one dish I won’t soon forget. Tip: savour it promptly before the rice loses its addictive crunch!
Cocktails that steal the limelight
‘LOLA’ ($22) is a fruity dream that’s great for the ‘gram. (Yes, I ordered it when I saw the edible bubble.) Made with peach and apricot liquor, and combined with pico, egg white and lemon for added dimension, this is a delightful and decadent sip.
We toasted to that with Kiss From A Rose ($24), the ideal cocktail for gin lovers. It’s an elegant and smooth sip with gin, vodka, lychee puree, and lemon. Oh, and peep the rose frozen within the ice cube – it doesn’t add much to the taste, but it makes for another photo-worthy tipple.
A smashing dessert to end
For a sweet ending, I recommend ordering the molten chocolate and hazelnut gianduja cake ($16) with pistachio ice cream and a molten sugar tower you can smash with a spoon. Satisfying but not cloying, this plate has a delicious blend of sweet, creamy, nutty, and chocolatey notes. Dessert lovers, it’ll take much will to share!
FOC Restaurant’s new chapter in Keong Saik is kicking off with a bang, if these dishes are any indication. Come for the crowd-favourite classics (don’t miss the paella), but give the playful pairings a go (caramelised onion ice cream on beef, anyone?). From date nights to group feasts, you’re bound to have a good time here.
