UNA at Alkaff Mansion
Medium rare was the order. What arrived was another story!
It had been years since our last visit to UNA at the historic Alkaff Mansion. I have always liked the charm of this beautiful colonial building, and I was genuinely looking forward to returning for an evening of Spanish cuisine. Unfortunately, the experience did not quite live up to expectations.
Located on the upper floor of the mansion, UNA remains a lovely setting for a romantic dinner. The restaurant was far from full that Sunday evening, yet service appeared stretched. The staff were friendly and courteous, but there were moments when getting their attention proved surprisingly difficult.
We began with Spanish bites of bread with tomato, olives, anchovies and peppers, followed by roasted bone marrow, Gambas al Ajillo and white asparagus. The prawns were an interesting departure from the traditional preparation. Instead of the familiar garlic-infused olive oil, the sauce reminded me more of clams cooked in white wine. Not necessarily a bad interpretation, but certainly different from what I had anticipated. Overall, the cooking was competent, although nothing particularly excited the palate.
The biggest disappointment came from our 21 Days Matured Bone-In Striploin from the Asador selection.
We requested medium rare, but the steak arrived closer to medium well, with some portions practically well done. Swipe to see the difference.
The steak was taken back to the kitchen for verification. After a rather lengthy wait, we were informed that a replacement would be prepared.
The second steak arrived with the correct doneness. Unfortunately, even with the cooking corrected, the flavour and texture of the aged beef did not impress. I had expected a more pronounced beefy character and a better eating experience from a 21-day matured cut.
We rounded off dinner with churros and torrija, bringing some sweetness to an otherwise underwhelming evening.
UNA certainly has its charms. The heritage setting is beautiful and the staff remained pleasant throughout. However, a memorable dining experience requires more than a lovely ambience. Food and service need to deliver too.
Perhaps my expectations were higher because I had been looking forward to this revisit. Sadly, when the most memorable part of dinner is a steak being sent back to the kitchen, it is probably not the memory you were hoping to take home.
