FOC Restaurant

September 11, 2023

FOC Restaurant

I can still feel the warmth of the sun and the intoxicating aroma of vines as I reminisce about my fabulous trip to Rioja in May. That unforgettable journey brought me into the world of Sierra Cantabria wines, with our incredible host, Pedro Antonio Berzal. Just when I thought it couldn't get better, Pedro paid a visit to Singapore, and what better way to celebrate than with a wine dinner at FOC Restaurant?

Our evening at FOC kicked off with smoked "Cantabrico" Anchovies on charcoal brioche with salted caramel butter. Imagine that salty, smoky delight melting into the spongy charcoal brioch - divine! That wasn't all; the Crispy 'Nigiri' featuring sun-dried tomato, burrata & basil pesto was an explosion of Mediterranean heaven in each bite. Paired beautifully with the Sierra Cantabria Rosado 2022, these tapas set the stage for what was to come.

Next, we dove into Foie Gras Terrine & Arenkha Caviar wrapped in a crispy Phyllo Sandwich. Luxurious and decadent, this dish was a masterpiece. The next tapas, a classic roasted chicken croquette with pine nuts and raisin praline, was a texture-filled surprise. A sip of the Teso La Monja Romanico 2020 elevated these culinary treasures to an ethereal level.

And then came the cannelloni - roasted and filled with wagyu beef cheek, guinea fowl, and pork belly. Served with “cepes” Bechamel sauce and a sprinkle of fresh winter truffle, this dish was a knockout. But what stole my heart was the Vinedos Sierra Cantabria Coleccion Privada 2015 - complex, yet smooth, with notes of black fruit and a spicy finish. This wine was poetry in a bottle, my favourite of the evening.

Our first main was a pan-seared Brisbane Valley quail adorned with pickled beetroot, burrata, and a five-peppercorn medley. This exotic mix was brilliantly paired with Sierra Cantabria Gran Reserva 2012, harmonizing the dish in an uncanny manner.

The grand finale was a succulent Jasper-Grilled Wagyu “Sanchoku” steak, served with artichokes and a dash of wasabi. Coupled with the Vinedos de Paganos El Puntido Gran Reserva 2007, each bite was like a step closer to culinary nirvana.

To wrap up, we indulged in FOC’s Spanish Torrija - a sweet note to an unforgettable dining experience. As a gift, Pedro graced our table with bottles of my two favourite wines of the evening: Sierra Cantabria Coleccion Privada and El Puntido Gran Reserva.

With a heart full of gratitude and a belly full of deliciousness, we toasted to a night of great fun, food, and of course, exceptional wine. Cheers to Pedro and FOC Restaurant for curating an evening that captured the soul of Rioja in every sip and bite.