Movida Singapore Discovery Set - $88++

Total spend: ~$218 SGD for two
Rating: ★★★½ (3.5/5 Brats)

At a Glance

Style: Modern Spanish with emphasis on tapas and fresh, quality ingredients
Best for: A relaxed date, cozy family dinners or even catch up session with friends
Value: Relatively comfortable on the wallet. Large variety at various price points - however, execution varies amongst courses
Standouts: Catch of the Day (Seabass), Esparragos, Flan
For improvement: Saltiness between dishes (lacking in the Crudo, too potent in Anchoa), socarrat on Paella and viscosity of Churros' dipping chocolate

The Experience

Aperitivos Trio

CRUDO — Yellowfin Tuna, Aji Amarillo, Burnt Orange & Basil

Fresh tuna with a pleasant firm bite contrasted by clean and bright notes from the garnishes. Burnt orange cuts through the fat with playful acidity and bitterness while the crisp fried basil adds a gentle herbal top note. However, dish was a tad bit under-seasoned with a lack of cream to top it off. Dish became a lot more delightful with an additional pinch of salt, shame that it was just not fully complete right out the gate.

HUEVAS — Whipped Cod Roe, Mussels en Escabeche, House-made Chips

Think “fancy nachos” - light as air, creamy roe dip with a side of crunchy chips. Skins were left on to allow chips to develop a proper crunch upon frying which was a nice touch. The seasoning leans salty, but works with well with the chips; while the mussels bring a meaty, pickled tang to cut through the salt. Chili oil and garlic chips at the bottom gave the chips some spice to contrast the otherwise savory dish. Snacky and fun, easy to finish.

JAMÓN IBÉRICO — Blázquez 100% Bellota, 36 Months, Pan Catalán

Unassuming jamón slices that were silky and melt in the mouth - unlike other lower quality counterparts which end in a ball of stringy fat. The crispy pan catalán’s topped with a tomato spread is almost reminiscent of a classic bruschetta. Overall a simple but pleasurable dish executed well.

Tapas

ANCHOA — Cantabrian Anchovy, Smoked Tomato Sorbet

Innovative and clever dish, imagine: sweet-sour, gazpacho like sorbet to juxtapose the saltiness of the anchovy. The cracker is toasted nicely, perfectly crisp and buttery —ironically, crisper than the crumpet in the next course. However, the dish was overall let down by the extreme saltiness of the anchovy, stealing one's focus from the crisp base and tangy sorbet. Perhaps an additional few rinses in water coupled with a good pat down would help to reduce the sodium content in the anchovy to achieve balance of flavours in this dish.

CROQUETA — Creamy Leek & Lobster, Piquillo Pepper

Silky smooth mashed potato filling studded with noticeable lobster chunks (roughly 20%) enveloped by a crispy crust. Comforting without heaviness; the leek sweetness plays well. The bechamel sauce and piquillo element is gentle —almost too mild — so neither the spicy or smoky notes are favourable. Nonetheless, still tasty.

CANGREJO — Warm Crumpet, Spanner Crab, Saffron Emulsion & Finger Lime

Generous mound of sweet, flaky crab with a gentle saffron warmth; finger lime pearls pop for a bright, citrus lift. The crumpet is buttery and pleasant, though a touch more toast on the base would sharpen the contrast and keep things from feeling one-note.

Raciones

PAELLA DE SEÑORITO — Bomba Rice, Saffron, Calamari, Barramundi & Prawns

Lovely saffron perfume and properly plump grains with a clean bite. Toppings are abundant; padrón peppers bring a soft, smoky nudge. The prawns are the star—sweet, briny, clearly kissed by a well-seasoned stock. What’s missing is the signature socarrat: that crisp, toasty layer that anchors aroma and texture. Nicely presented and mixed tableside (a thoughtful touch), but without the crust it drops a few paella points.

CATCH OF THE DAY — Seabass

Hearty portion, simply seasoned to let the fish shine through. Flesh is delicate and moist topped with a generous amount of capers for some saltiness. However, the sauce was doused over the crispy skin, causing it to lose its crunch - which was quite a letdown.

Guarniciones

ESPÁRRAGOS — Shaved Green Asparagus, Stracciatella, Mint & Yuzu Oil

Feather-thin asparagus ribbons accompanied with yuzu oil and mint. Stracciatella adds creaminess to each bite without being too cloying. Light and bright - a smart palate reset to help counter the richer main courses.

Postres

FLAN - Cream Caramel with Spcied Pestiños

Smooth, custardy textbook flan, almost like a creme Brûlée without the caramelized top The pestiños bring gentle crunch and spice, dish might be balanced out with a touch of cinnamon. Overall still a nice sweet end to the meal.

CHURROS CON CHOCOLATE

Churros arrive crisp with a pleasant cinnamon dusting. The chocolate, however, runs thin and lacks the glossy, spoon-coating richness you want.

Service & Pacing

Attentive team with thoughtful little gestures - such as recommending their favourite dishes (provides a personal touch) and helping squeze the lemon before mixing the paella tableside.

Team paid attention to our eating speed and brought out courses at a comfortable pace. Never once did we feel unwelcome nor pressurized to finish our meal quickly.

Value Check

At $88++ per person, the Discovery Set covers a lot of ground and provides a good variety.

Our two-top came to about $218—fair for the variety. A few misses (saltiness of the anchovy, lack of socarrat in paella and watery dipping chocolate) keep it from must-book status.

However, we cannot deny that there is still great value in the Discovery Set.

Verdict

★★★½ (3.5/5 Brats). A lively, diverse run through the restaurant's offerings with genuine good dishes. With some improvement, Movida would tip into must-try territory. As for where it stands now - a good spot for a fun night out with room to grow.