Step inside Urbà and you’re instantly reminded why this season is such a gift for cooks. Earthy aromas, deeper flavours, slower rhythms. Last night I joined a small group of local and international gastro journalists, and influencers for the unveiling of the restaurant’s new tasting menu paired with wines by Vinámica. With Urbà being a part of Santi Taura Group of restaurants, my expectations were already high… Classy, elegant and beautifully choreographed, this experience captured the warm sophistication that Urbà has quietly mastered since opening, without ever tipping into formality. It felt like an evening among friends who simply happen to cook, plate and pour extremely well.
The space itself glowed with soft light and muted tones — chic enough for a celebration, relaxed enough for a midweek treat. What really set the tone, however, was the service: polished, warm and genuinely interested in guests’ reactions. Our waiter, Feyzi, deserves a special mention. Multilingual and genuinely charming, he anticipated our questions and put us at ease right from the start.
The menu unfolded in four pasos, a curated walk through flavours interpreted through Urbà’s signature global lens. We began with a trio of snacks designed to be eaten with the fingers — always a promising start. The Croqueta Andina, Urbà’s take on ají de gallina, was creamy, lightly spiced and gone in two bites, but full of personality. Next came the dumplings of octopus with onion, tonkatsu sauce, Japanese mayo and katsuobushi: a little explosion of umami, salty, smoky and deeply satisfying. The final snack was the pastel marroquí of confit duck, wrapped in delicate pastry with yogurt, apricot from Porreres and spiced almonds. Sweet, savoury and aromatic, like autumn taking a bow...
The second paso arrived as a contrast in textures and temperatures. Gnochi of sweet potato with miso and truffle arrived in a creamy sauce studded with mushrooms and shiso. Elegant and surprisingly airy, it managed to feel indulgent yet light. The grilled artichokes with Wagyu ham, candied cherry tomatoes and horseradish cream followed, a dish that tasted like comfort food for grown-ups..
By the time the third paso arrived, the table was fully animated — journalists comparing notes, phones flashing, videos filmed, and waiters topping up glasses with impeccable timing. First came the “Marmi-Japo,” beautiful chunks of bluefin tuna cheek with crisped, layered potatoes. Silky, rich and savoury, it was one of the most memorable bites of the night. The “Pulled Corn” - Filipino black adobo with shredded pork, corn and pickled onion — was the warm hug of the menu: comforting, sweet-and-sour, layered with memories from various food cultures.
And then came my favourite moment — not because of the food (although that part certainly helped), but because the Urbà team surprised me by singing “Happy Birthday” and placing a little candle on my dessert. A small gesture, but one that made the night feel super personal. The dessert itself, Dorayaki-Misu — a playful tiramisu designed to be eaten with the fingers — paired with a lush Hidalgo PX, was the perfect finale: familiar Italian comfort meets Japanese whimsy.