Get Ready For A Sunday Fiesta At José By Pizarro

SUNDAY FIESTA AT JOSÉ BY PIZARRO | CONRAD ETIHAD TOWERS

Ideal for: Tapas lovers, Sunday catch-ups, date days

Looking for a spot to catch up with friends on Sunday? The new Sunday Fiesta at José by Pizarro is ideal for lingering over tapas and listening to great live music. 

With a cosy vibe that’s ideal for an overdue chat, and decor that transports you straight to a tavern in Cáceres, settle down for bite-size sharing plates, and toe-tapping tunes.

The tapas menu (AED275) includes a variety of dishes, with the option to add on additional courses if required. 

The delicate bowls of smooth rock melon gazpacho whet our appetites, and we couldn’t get enough of the deliciously crispy croquettes - these golden little balls were stuffed with the softest shredded lamp. The paprika aioli gave an extra little kick that made these even more moreish. 

Is there a better nibble than pimentos del padrón? Generously salted, not overly soft, and slightly charred - just as we like them, we could munch on these all afternoon. 

We loved the pan con tomate y cecina - crispy bread smothered with freshly grated tomato and delicately flavoured cured beef ham. Served with a generous drizzle of olive oil, these hit all the right Catalonian notes.

The tortilla de patata may not be the prettiest dish on the block, but it was well-seasoned and packed full of flavour. There wasn’t even a hint of hardness in the potatoes, and this felt like a real comfort food. 

The smell of the roasted squash salad hit us as soon as it landed on the table and was a good light interlude to the stream of dishes arriving at the table. 

No Spanish meal is complete with a paella, (additional AED95pp). Served in a traditional cast iron pan with a huge artichoke flower centre-stage, the quality of the stock shone through, with the rice hitting that evasive al dente point. 

The mussels, served cold and with a hint of spice, are one for the seafood aficionados, and the carnivores among us will enjoy the abóndigas may y montaña - hearty meatballs dressed with a light tomato sauce to cover any dryness and tender cuttlefish slivers. These were very filling, so the portion size was spot on. 

The desserts finish this varied menu on a high note. We loved how the salt cut through the intense chocolate ganache, and the sourdough was an interesting twist! The Spanish vanilla custard flan was a stand out: exceptionally smooth and creamy with just the right amount of vanilla, and the cardamom and cinnamon whipped cream added a pleasing texture combination alongside the intricate floreta biscuit.

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While the menu does not include drinks, the sangria (AED50) was highly quaffable (both the red and white versions), and the espresso martini (AED55) could easily double as dessert!

With the music pitched at just the right level to allow us to chat, this is a perfect spot for a relaxed Sunday catch-up with friends or a low-key date day. 

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Where: José by Pizarro | Conrad Etihad Towers

Bookings: 02 811 5666

Timing: Every Sunday 1PM -4PM

Pricing: AED275 per person - food only

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