Review: Nexo Spanish Restaurant at Nexus Bangsar South

There’s consistent cause for celebration whenever a Spanish restaurant opens in KL, especially one that ventures beyond the staples of meatballs, olives and button mushrooms to brave the fearsome realm of pig’s head recipes.

Nexo launched recently in Bangsar South’s new Nexus complex; it operates all day long throughout the week, so customers can stroll in at 4pm on a Wednesday and still be able to order everything from gazpacho to leche frita.

Try the Tapas

Nexo’s aforementioned pig’s head emerges in fine, fried form, essentially fleshy croquettes coupled with pickles and garlic aioli (RM17 before taxes). An acquired taste, but all offal is, after all.

Squid cooked with its own ink, caramelised onions and rice crackers (RM18). Or try calling it by its more evocative Spanish name, “chipirones en su tinta.”

Sardines prepared with sherry and garlic (RM15). The rest of the tapas selection comprises temptations ranging from octopus with potatoes and paprika to mussel-and-prawn croquettes with spicy tomato sauce.

Moving on to main courses

Nexo’s bacalao (RM57) is worthwhile, well-executed salted cod loin, moist and meaty with bacon, polenta and a buttery blend of Roncal cheese and lemon.

For folks strictly NOT on a diet: Suckling pig confit (RM52), as fatty as imaginable, with pork jus and a carb-laden potato gratin. The grilled asparagus can only sit by helplessly.

And of course, there’s still more to the menu, everything from lamb rack with harissa paste, yogurt and couscous to sea bass with potato-leek terrine and pisto sauce.

And of course, paella. Nexo’s rendition is respectable, RM63 for a seafood-heavy serving that two or even three can share.

Cold Cuts

What’s a Spanish eatery without cold cuts? Nexo has a solid assortment of acorn-fed jamon iberico de bellota and sausages.

Wine

Sangria costs RM26 by the glass and RM90 by the jug, offering slight savings for folks who order the latter and plan to drink a lot.

Spanish wine, RM18 per glass and RM95 by the bottle.

Nexo has both an air-conditioned interior and a shaded alfresco area that’s breezy enough for Bangsar South’s after-work crowd.

Location and Contact Details:

Nexo Restaurant & Bar

G-13, Ground Floor, Nexus, Bangsar South, Jalan Kerinchi, Kuala Lumpur

Daily, noon through late.

Tel: 03-2242-2226

Find: Nexo Restaurant & Bar’s directory listing here.