There is something about sharing several dishes around a table that makes catching up with friends even better. Instead of settling for just one order each, everyone gets to try a little of everything, from small plates and seafood to paella and dessert. It is the kind of meal that encourages people to stay a little longer, order another dish, and let the conversation take its course. That is the experience we had in mind during our visit to Las Flores by The Bistro Group.
A proudly home-grown Spanish restaurant, Las Flores brings together a selection of tapas, paella, and other Spanish favorites in a setting inspired by the warmth of a traditional Spanish taberna. Located at One McKinley Place in Bonifacio Global City, it offers a dining space suited to everything from a casual catch-up to a gathering with friends. We had quite a spread during our visit, sampling several tapas, mains, three varieties of paella, drinks, and a selection of desserts. A few dishes quickly became favorites, giving us plenty to talk about beyond the usual catch-up.
A Spanish-Inspired Setting in the Heart of BGC
The interiors give Las Flores much of its character. The restaurant combines the warmth of a traditional Spanish taberna with contemporary design, using rich dark wood seating and warm lighting to create a relaxed dining atmosphere. Broad glass windows bring natural light into the space and offer views of the greenery outside.
There are also plenty of details that give the restaurant its Spanish personality. Framed vintage Spanish posters, a botanical wall gallery, white shutter accents, and a display of Spanish ham add character without making the space feel overly themed. The colorful ceramic tiles on the bar provide another touch of Spanish-inspired design, complementing the restaurant’s overall look. For guests who want to add a little fun to their visit, sombreros and maracas are also available upon request for photos. It is the sort of setting that works well for a table of friends sharing several plates, whether they are meeting for a quick catch-up or celebrating an occasion that deserves more time together.
Starting with the Tapas
We started with a selection of tapas, and among the dishes served, the Salmon & Salmon was an immediate favorite. Made with salmon, truffle cream, and honey, it delivers a literal explosion of flavors in every bite. It is best enjoyed whole in one bite, allowing all the ingredients to come together as you chew and release their layers of flavor. It was easily one of the highlights of our meal and a dish we would gladly order again.
The Gambas al Ajillo was another favorite, featuring shrimp with olive oil, garlic, chili, and white wine. It is a familiar Spanish tapas combination, and one that fits naturally into a spread meant for sharing. We also had the Angus & Foie Minis, which brought a more indulgent touch to the selection. Combining beef tenderloin, foie, apple puree, and pan de sal, it is a sophisticated take on tapas that manages to feel both indulgent and approachable in a single mouthful. The combination of ingredients makes this one of the more interesting dishes on the table.
Rounding out the tapas selection were the Croquetas de Jamon Iberico, or Iberian ham croquettes, and Chipirones Andaluza, featuring fried baby squid served with kimchi mayo. These gave us more choices to enjoy alongside the other plates, with the croquettes bringing Iberian ham to the spread and the baby squid adding a seafood option. With several dishes arriving as part of the same meal, the experience was less about choosing a single favorite and more about having the opportunity to try different things together.
Heartier Plates for the Table
Beyond the tapas, we also ordered a couple of dishes for something more substantial. The Costillar de Cerdo features baby back ribs in homemade barbecue sauce, served with sweet corn. What we particularly enjoyed was the meat, which was very soft and tender. It made for a satisfying addition to the meal and was a good option to have alongside the smaller plates.
The Spanish Fish & Chips, meanwhile, features Spanish cod served with French fries and tartar sauce. It offers a familiar choice among the restaurant’s Spanish-inspired selections and gives diners another option beyond tapas. Together, these dishes gave us a more varied spread, with enough choices to keep the table interesting without losing the shared dining experience that made the meal enjoyable.
Making Room for Paella
Of course, we also made room for paella. We tried three varieties, starting with the Paella Negra, which brings together black rice, shrimp, baby squid, and scallops. It was our seafood selection among the three, with several ingredients coming together in one dish. For those looking for something different, the Paella Setas features mixed mushroom stew with truffle alioli, offering a mushroom-based alternative to the seafood combination.
We also ordered the Paella Verduras, made with grilled seasonal vegetables and alioli. With these three varieties on the table, there was an opportunity to explore different combinations rather than settling on just one. It also suited the way we enjoyed the meal: ordering a selection, sharing among ourselves, and making room for more than one favorite. For groups dining together, having several paella options to choose from gives everyone a chance to find something that appeals to them.
Drinks and a Sweet Ending
To go with the food, we ordered the Hula Hula, a cocktail made with dark rum, peach schnapps, passion fruit, pineapple, honey, and mint. We also had the Berry Mango Swirl, one of the slushies on the menu. The Berry Mango Swirl had just the right sweetness for our liking, making it a pleasant drink to enjoy while working our way through the spread.
We ended the meal with a dessert platter featuring four selections: Churros con Chocolate, Vulcan de Chocolate, Tarta de Queso, and Torrija. Having several desserts together was a nice way to finish a meal that had been all about sharing from the beginning. Rather than choosing just one, we had the chance to sample different options and enjoy a little more time around the table before calling it a day.
Because Some Catch-Ups Deserve a Table Full of Tapas
What we enjoyed about Las Flores was the variety it offered for a meal shared with friends. There were smaller plates to start with, heartier dishes for those who wanted something more substantial, several paella choices, and enough options for drinks and dessert. The interiors also gave the restaurant a distinct personality, making it a setting where a simple plan to catch up can easily turn into a longer meal.
Among everything we tried, the Salmon & Salmon, Gambas al Ajillo, and Angus & Foie Minis were our personal favorites, while the Costillar de Cerdo also left a good impression with its soft, tender meat. These are the dishes we would be happy to see on the table again. More than anything, Las Flores is worth considering when the occasion calls for good food shared over conversation, whether it is a long-overdue reunion, a spontaneous get-together, or a planned celebration.
Because sometimes catching up deserves more than just coffee. It deserves a table full of tapas, a few drinks, and good company. And at Las Flores, there’s always room for one more.
