New & Noted: Alma By DN

By Nyima Pratten, 2016-06

What: Affordably priced tapas by chef Daniel Negreira
Where: 9/F, 198 Xizang Bei Lu, near Qufu Lu. Tel: 6073 8477
Why: For go-to business lunches
This casual Spanish gastro-bar, set on the floor of the Joy City Mall, and beside the iconic Ferris wheel, has all the elements of a solid dining concept. Chefs Daniel Negreira, of Marina by DN, Sergio Moreno and DN Group are offering up an innovative and creative new-age view of tapas, served with a special selection of wines and cocktails, in a comfortable environment.
 
The small dishes come at very reasonable prices, and the DN Group seem to have positioned the restaurant as an entry-level offering from their portfolio of venues. The venue boasts 250 square meters of indoor space, an open kitchen and outdoor dining on the terrace of the Joy City Mall.
 
Highlights of our visit included the Shake Your Soul Salad (RMB 21), which came in a Perspex sphere that we were encouraged to shake to mix the salmon, orange, grapefruit, sesame, radish and mixed lettuce leaves together. The Spanish pita-kebabs (RMB 48) with lamb, pickled vegetables and coriander mint sauce offered an interesting fusion taste and breadth to the menu. Stuffed “piquillo” beef cheek (RMB 38), octopus Carpaccio (RMB 48) and the Alma slider-style burgers with Iberico ham, quails' eggs and caramelised onion rounded out a pleasing meal and the friendly service added to our contentment.
 
We visited during soft opening, and are keen to go back again when the restaurant is fully operational to sample more dishes from the wide menu.