This must be the first time a fair like this have appeared at Isetan since it's been mostly Japanese and Korean ones that have made their presence felt in this corner of the departmental store. Truth be told, after numerous visits, it has started to become a little boring with the usual stuff in circulation that eventually felt like recycled events. Let's hope that this marks the beginning of more of such small food fairs from other places than the usual suspects. This Spanish one (9th - 18th Sept), although tiny was probably a good start.
What attracted me were probably the Spanish hams which were the counterparts to the prosciutto di Parma of the Italians. I managed to sample some together with a couple of variety of chorizos. I couldn't tell if the jamon were really any sweeter but I could taste that there was more depth in the aroma. If these were the lower grades of the major artisanal jamon, I would imagine the jamon iberico could be exceptional. Unfortunately, I haven't had the opportunity to try them and they don't seem to be available in this fair.
There was a also a variety of cheeses, largely from sheep and inclusive of a blue variety (Valdeón) to be had along with an an assortment of wines, preserved produce, date cakes and pastas. I didn't manage to get them all on photo. Today also marks the first day of their ham slicing demonstration which ends in 3 more days.
Now it wouldn't do at all to just view and just simply walk away without getting anything especially when it's something that new. So here's a borcadillo (baguette) with that jamon serrano and some freshly fried churros with chocolate dip. It was a nice sandwich on heated bread with butter and their Tomaca sauce and all, but there's really nothing majorly exciting. I would presume that such a ham would be better savored on its own. Fresh churros were also nice since we don't get them outside of restaurants. It seems that Alegra, a Spanish restaurant down at Clarke Quay are part of the team that's doing this little fair.
Edit 10.33pm
I've been informed that these fairs do rotate quite a bit, so I've probably never had the chance to see them happen.
What attracted me were probably the Spanish hams which were the counterparts to the prosciutto di Parma of the Italians. I managed to sample some together with a couple of variety of chorizos. I couldn't tell if the jamon were really any sweeter but I could taste that there was more depth in the aroma. If these were the lower grades of the major artisanal jamon, I would imagine the jamon iberico could be exceptional. Unfortunately, I haven't had the opportunity to try them and they don't seem to be available in this fair.
There was a also a variety of cheeses, largely from sheep and inclusive of a blue variety (Valdeón) to be had along with an an assortment of wines, preserved produce, date cakes and pastas. I didn't manage to get them all on photo. Today also marks the first day of their ham slicing demonstration which ends in 3 more days.
Now it wouldn't do at all to just view and just simply walk away without getting anything especially when it's something that new. So here's a borcadillo (baguette) with that jamon serrano and some freshly fried churros with chocolate dip. It was a nice sandwich on heated bread with butter and their Tomaca sauce and all, but there's really nothing majorly exciting. I would presume that such a ham would be better savored on its own. Fresh churros were also nice since we don't get them outside of restaurants. It seems that Alegra, a Spanish restaurant down at Clarke Quay are part of the team that's doing this little fair.
Edit 10.33pm
I've been informed that these fairs do rotate quite a bit, so I've probably never had the chance to see them happen.
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