New Spanish Restaurant Iberico Provides Some TLC from TRB

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Teachers love our students, but Parent Teacher Conference days are physically and emotionally draining. After 8 straight hours of meetings, you need to recharge your batteries, so when I saw that TRB had launched a new concept called Iberico in Shunyi I knew it was the perfect place to take two of my hard-working fellow teachers for some much-needed TLC.

Ignace Leclair and his team have once again exceeded expectations with this newest venture. As the name implies Iberico serves up Spanish food in a beautiful and calm environment. Red candles cast gentle light across the floor-to-ceiling artist renditions of matadors and glint off the glass of the impressive wine room where bottles of carefully selected Spanish vino wait along with the signature iberico ham shanks hanging to cure in the background.

As always the service is exceptional with the staff treating everyone like a VIP. The menu is extensive and each thing we tried was better than the last. Try not to judge the gluttony that ensued too harshly. Remember we had all worked thru lunch, and we opted to share everything so the calories would get confused and not know who to attach themselves to…that’s science, look it up!

For appetizers we started with the Bone Marrow Tartar (RMB 148) which was unctuous and comforting and paired beautifully with the bright acidic Octopus Miso Eggplant (RMB 148), The manager insisted we try the Iberico Ham Foi Gras on Toast (RMB138) and he was correct, I needed this in my life. I’m a sucker for croquettes so the Iberico Ham Mushroom Croquetta (RMB 78) was a must for me and did not disappoint.

The ladies and I suddenly remembered we are grown-ups and need to eat our vegetables, so we ordered Iberico Ham salad with Truffle Sauce (RMB 98) and Grilled Asparagus (RMB 78). I would eat the truffle dressing from that salad on pretty much anything and if my mom had made asparagus taste this good, I would have always asked for seconds.

For our mains, we opted to share the Long Short Rib (RMB 688), and the Seafood Paella (RMB 488) because how could you not? And, again at the recommendation of the staff, Lobster with Fennel and Mushroom Sauce (RMB 888). All of it was incredible. The short rib was so tender you barely needed to chew, it just sort of dissolved in your mouth. The Paella had a wonderful lemon dressing and the all-important socarrat (the toasted crunchy rice at the bottom and edges of the pan) that is so often missing from the dish outside of Spain. The staff again hit a home run with the lobster recommendation, the sauce was so good I had to stop myself from licking the plate… ‘cause we were in public after all.

We probably should have stopped at this point, but we had had a few glasses of excellent Spanish wine, and my friends had pawned the kids’ bedtime duties off on their partners so we decided to fulfill a childhood dream…we ordered the entire dessert menu. Yes, you heard me. Three fully grown, well-educated, health-conscious women made the choice to consume enough sugar to induce diabetic commas in lesser beings and I would do it again. A Torrija French Toast (RMB 88), Toffee Chocolate Banana (RMB 88), and Basque Style Cheesecake (RMB 88) were all wonderful. But for me, the must-try was the Ice Cream Sandwiches (RMB 58). Vanilla Ice Cream nestled between two perfect cinnamon cookies and drizzled with caramel sauce. I didn’t even ask permission of my friends; I ate the extra one and I’m not sorry.

The TRB team always makes sure their guests leave with not only a full stomach but a full heart and Iberico is no exception. I am always amazed at the consistency of care that they provide and the way they make an average Thursday night feel like a special occasion. So, the next time you need a little pampering consider recharging your battery at Iberico.

For more family-friendly dining recommendations in Beijing join the FamFriendlyEats group on WeChat. To join, add TBJButler on WeChat and ask for an invitation.

Images: Courtesy of Julie Wolf and TRB

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