La Bodega, Bubbly Cava Hi-Tea and Sunday Brunch

Words: Kristin Cosgrove    Photos: Monica Tindall

{What is Cava? Put simply, Cava is a sparkling wine from Spain made from traditional Spanish grapes, using the same method as Champagne.}

Anna Codorniu

Through the end of September, Cava takes center stage at La Bodega with Cava Fest, featuring bottle promotions, special Cava cocktails, food pairings and more. The highlight of Cava Fest is the Sunday Bubbly Hi-Tea promotion, Sundays, 2pm – 5pm at La Bodega’s Lounge in Bangsar (directly upstairs from the La Bodega Deli). The Hi-Tea is a free flow extravaganza of seven different Cavas with distinctive flavors and tastes. Order free flow Cava for RM180++ or include a hi-tea carousel for only RM40 more.

La Bodega, Telawi 2, Bangsar

A big fan of the bubbly, I was eager to head over to the La Bodega Lounge and sample the bar’s range of Cava. It’s no wonder La Bodega has been a local and expat favorite for more than a decade. From the moment we climb the wooden stairs up from the deli, I feel like we’re entering a friend’s living room. The light jazz on the sound-system and tinkling of barware provide backup to the thunder outside; the coziness of the plush chairs greet us warmly and we sink in, relaxed. Wooden accordion-style doors with large windows line one wall, allowing for lots of light, and are later folded open to let in the refreshing breeze of the rainy afternoon.

On Sundays during the Cava promotion, Malaysian songstress, Ushera, sings jazz standards accompanied by Ganesh on piano, providing the perfect soundtrack to a lazy afternoon of lounging, drinking, or even playing one of the many board games stacked on nearby shelves.

Muga Conde de Haro

We start with the house Cava, Muga Conde de Haro. It is appealing and easy to drink alone, with a crisp, lemony finish. We enjoy it with nibbles from the add-on carousel, which includes an assortment of macarons, (chocolate, pistachio, strawberry and salted caramel), a small plate of salmon, lemon tarts, moist, chewy brownies and sweet illy crèma.

Macarons

Sweets from the Hi-Tea

Smoked Fish from the Hi-Tea Set

During the hi-tea, patrons are welcome to order food items off the menu (at regular prices), which includes a wide array of delectable tapas. We wisely take the opportunity to try some of La Bodega’s specialties to enhance our bubbly.

Lamb Meatballs – a classic from La Bodega’s menu

We savor the distinct taste of the Noche Y Dia Cava Green Label Brut Nature with our Chicken Liver

Pâté. The herbaceous taste of the Cava cuts through the rich pâté, leaving us with a clean, crisp palate.

From the Tapas Menu we also try the Tiger Prawns Sautéed with Chili and Garlic in Spicy Pepper Sauce (RM38). It is still sizzling when it is brought to our table, and though I don’t find it at all spicy, the prawns are tender and cooked perfectly.

Pâté

Noche y Dia

Gambas al Ajillo

Raventos I Blanc ‘De Nit’ Cava Rosada is a pink cava best paired with food to bring out its freshness. What better reason to add Paella to our table! We happily dig into the Paella Valenciana Mixta (RM39), Spanish rice cooked with prawns, chicken, mussels and clams with saffron, peppers and peas – comfort food at its finest.

Raventos I Blanc ‘De Nit’ Cava Rosada

Paella Valenciana Mixta

We only manage to try four of the seven Cavas available on this particular afternoon, but look forward to coming back for more before the promotion ends next month.

La Bodega’s Sunday Bubbly Hi-Tea is only available at La Bodega’s Lounge, but Cava Fest is being celebrated at all La Bodega outlets, featuring several promotions like the Cava Discovery Tray (a tasting tray of all seven Cavas to try), special Cava cocktails at (RM30++/glass) and Cava bottle specials. Best of all, if you have your birthday June – August, dine in at any La Bodega and receive a bottle of Bodega Muga Conde de Harvo Cava on the house!

Spanish Tortilla

Reasons to Visit: A rare opportunity to sample many varieties of Cava; relaxed Sunday atmosphere with live music, tapas menu and paella.

La Bodega Lounge
18-1, Jalan Telawi 22
Bangsar Baru, 59100
Kuala Lumpur, Bangsar
Malaysia
+6 03 2287 8318
www.gastrodome.com.my
Hours: Monday- Friday 4pm – 2am; Saturday, Sunday, 10am-2am