La Fiesta by Marta's Kitchen — Restaurant in Pahang

La Fiesta by Marta’s Kitchen @ Genting Highlands is located in Sky Avenue, Genting Highlands, Pahang. It is one of three branches in Malaysia with the other two situated in Desa Sri Hartamas(first branch ever opened by Marta and her husband) and Lalaport. La Fiesta is an authentic spanish restaurant that centers around spanish tapas and paella. Most ingredients are sourced locally save for the special ones such as Iberico pork ribs, Manchego cheese, Spanish suckling pig, saffron and pimento. These and others are imported directly from Spain. This specific restaurant’s interior aesthetic is elegant and classy, simultaneously catering to both the average Joe as well as couples out on a date. The kitchen with its chefs, appliances and oven for pizzas can be clearly but safely seen by patrons through the glass screen. The restaurant also features a stocked bar, where drinks and beverages are made. We had the red wine and cava sangria, and both tasted amazing with a proper decent amount of fruits soaking in the alcohol, whilst letting their own flavours seep through. As for food, we had the spanish omelette with chorizo, the seafood paella, the mushroom and cream spaghetti, and freshly baked bread(most likely ciabatta) served alongside manchego cheese. The slivers or slices of cheese were served first and the quality of them pleasantly surprised me. Soft, creamy and fresh with the option of requesting for more bread to be served. A mixture of olive oil and balsamic vinegar is also provided with this. The spanish omelette was tasty but could have done with a tad more salt as the slices of potato in it overpowered the chorizo flavour completely. It might have also tasted better if slightly more crispy. The mushroom and cream spaghetti waa a 5/5, closely resembling a version of a creamy carbonara(not the authentic italian version). Pasta was cooked al dente and the creamy flavours of the mushroom and cream blended well together. Portion sizing would be a larger serving for one. Lastly, the seafood paella. Having visited Spain and trying it there, my family member had expectations…that were met. Sufficient prawns, squid, crab meat was mixed into and cooked well with the rice. The seafood flavour was intense, and not in an unclean seawater manner. The flavours of the seafood was infused into the paella as it was cooked in the broth. Delicious enough to be eaten in the morning cold after waking up…which is...

6 stars if I could give that many! Food was honestly phenomenal and this is hands down one of the best Spanish restaurants i’ve tried. If you like heavy yet balanced flavours you’ll love this place.

Gambas al ajillo was pretty tasty, the mini burgers were so flavorful & perfect as an appetizer, tapas for one was incredible as well because it introduced me to their heavenly aioli. The Valenciana Paella is everything it promises to be, and so much more when you mix in aforementioned aioli! Finally, the churros had a perfectly crisp texture and went really well with vanilla ice cream plus what I assume to be dulce de leche (yum!!)

Overall, the location sports a nice casual dinner vibe and overlooks the bar/live band area below. Perfect for chill dinners with friends & family. It’s a shame the Google rating is so low because it deserves way more love - this was almost a deciding factor for me in selecting a dinner location, but i’m glad I gave it a shot anyway because the worse reviews tend to be from 4-6 years back. Plus, good Mediterranean food is hard to find in Malaysia 😋 Will definitely be back when i’m in...

Taking over what used to be an Italian restaurant, La Fiesta offers the same great Spanish tapas up in the highlands of Genting. I'd normally go for something hot & soupy in the cool weather, but once in a while gave in to her demands.

Unmistakably creation of Marta's Kitchen and unmistakably hospitality that made me feeling welcome as soon as I stepped in.

◾Ham Croquetas RM25 - marriage between the creamy and delicious bechamel cheese with savory ham and we were off to a rousing start. ◾Roasted Peppers & Eggplant RM25 + onion marinated in balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil, served with breads. The EVOO was so aromatic. ◾Selection of Iberico cuts & manchego cheese served with toasted bread and grated tomato. Almost my default order everytime I head to Marta's Kitchen and this was no exception. Gotta love the tomato concasse to spread on the given toasts.. just like bruschetta. ◾House pouring wine by glasses - didn't feel like enjoying Spanish food without a glass in hand.

Adjourned to Starbucks Reserve for a cup of single origin handbrew after the...