Casa Vostra and Esquina’s chefs have joined forces to create Carlitos, a welcoming neighborhood tapas bar in Joo Chiat this coming November. Conceived by Italian chef Antonio Miscellaneo of Casa Vostra and La Bottega, alongside Barcelona-born chef Carlos Montobbio of Esquina, Carlitos aims to capture the essence of a “friendly neighborhood tapas bar” with a wide-ranging menu of Spanish classics. The name, which translates to “Little Carlos” in Spanish, reflects the warm and approachable vibe of the venue.
The menu, curated by Chef Carlos, features over 30 varieties of tapas inspired by his favorite memories from Spain’s tapas bars. Highlights include fresh, tapas-sized Paella del Dia, unique small plates like Gilda Pintxo with smoked sardine and pickled onions, and vegetarian options like Alcachofa Brasa, Spanish artichoke with saffron polenta. For a deeper taste of Spain, the Xup-Xup menu offers comforting stews like Fricandó Barcelona, a rich Black Angus and porcini mushroom ragú. Andalusian flatbread sandwiches like the Bikini, filled with Ibérico ham, truffle brie, and mushroom duxelles, round out the savory selections.
For dessert, Carlitos serves Spanish favorites such as Churros con Chocolate with a Valrhona dip and Basque-style Tarta de Queso with sangria sorbet. Guests can enjoy over 30 Spanish wines sourced from small vineyards, along with a selection of sangria.