BCN Taste & Tradition - Review - Montrose - Houston - The Infatuation

"Interested in sipping Spanish vermouth while staring at beautiful art? You should be when BCN Taste & Tradition is involved. Converted from a Mission-style bungalow, the Montrose restaurant feels birthed from the coupling of a private art collector and a wine freak’s fancy homage to late-night meals in Barcelona (why, yes, that’s a very real Joan Miró at the entrance). This place shines in three key areas: sensual ambiance, gin and tonic variations, and the number of original art on the walls that are a great backdrop for all the incredible Spanish ham you’ll devour. BCN radiates pure romance and quiet luxury. It’s definitely fancy, but as fancy as you want to be. Come in a full Prada fit, or just a pair of well-fitted jeans. Whether you sit at the tiny bar or table bathed in warm light, every meal at BCN starts with complimentary bread and Spanish chorizo. It’s simple, but feels decadent thanks to the teensy salt cellar and miniature olive oil carafe that go with them. Fancy things, after all, must be small. photo credit: Richard Casteel The pages-deep menu opens up into plates of grilled octopus, pickled anchovies, gazpacho with infinitesimal diced tropical fruit, and, you guessed it, ham. Most dishes are traditional Catalan cuisine executed successfully, like the crispy skin branzino. Others are modern riffs and specials that spin in a less tasty direction, like the overly icy salted cod ceviche.Even though some dishes can be hit or miss, the dinner experience still feels like a sexy little secret we want to get in on. Everyone, from the staff to the diners, has an air of mystery or intrigue, as though you’re witnessing international art thieves on a clandestine rendezvous, or are a bystander in a soft whisper perfume ad. The sultry mood and dreamy space just makes being here feel kind of hot. So let yourself get swept up in the ambiance, admire the priceless works of art hanging around the low-lit dining rooms, and drink one (maybe two) exquisitely composed gin and elderflower tonic with manzanilla sherry. You’re at BCN for a date, anniversary, or just because you really love ham. photo credit: Richard Casteel photo credit: Julie Soefer photo credit: Richard Casteel photo credit: Richard Casteel photo credit: Richard Casteel Pause Unmute How to get into BCN Taste & Tradition The best way to eat here is to walk in and grab a seat at BCN’s small bar. The bartenders have a knack for pairing rare Spanish vermouths with whatever you order and provide an intimate level of service that isn’t as easily achieved at BCN’s larger table. But if you need a reservation, expect to dine early or late unless you can plan a few weeks ahead. Food Rundown Gin And Tonic Service A gin and tonic is probably one of the most popular cocktails in Spain, mostly because they’re refreshing and quick to put together. At BCN, the variations are somewhat of an artform, especially given the cocktail menu has a dozen to choose from. Our favorite G&T includes manzanilla sherry, chamomile, and lemon—it goes well with nearly every dish at BCN. photo credit: Richard Casteel Bread Service BCN takes their bready service a few steps further with bread and ham service. Once you’re seated, warm rustic bread, a tiny pitcher of olive oil, and slices of paprika and garlic-spiced Spanish chorizo arrive. We hope you like pork. photo credit: Richard Casteel Spanish Iberico Ham And Toasted "Pa Amb Tomaca" No experience at BCN counts unless you order this. Choose your desired level of aged Iberico and snack on the fatty, nutty goodness between bites of sweet tomato spread on toast. photo credit: Richard Casteel Fresh Cherry Gazpacho The cutest thing about this very delightful bowl of gazpacho (poured tableside), are the tiny cubed fruits like mango, papaya, and watermelon at the bottom of the bowl. Play with your food by fishing the cubes out, one by one, along with spoonfuls of chilled, crisp soup. photo credit: Richard Casteel Grilled Spanish Octopus BCN somehow gets the octopus impossibly tender and only slightly charred. We appreciate the pairing of bright green bell pepper and briny olive tapenade. photo credit: Richard Casteel Grilled Wild Caught Branzino Served with crispy skin, this grilled filet of branzino has nearly every section of the tongue’s flavor map covered: sweet avocado, acidic grapefruit, and fatty aioli foam. We could eat this dish again and again. photo credit: Richard Casteel "Gypsy's Arm" Sponge Cake Not only is this slice of sponge cake beautiful, with its schmear of passionfruit, it also has a buttery, caramelized outer crust with a creamy whipped cream center. The beautiful textures make this dessert fun, and still light enough to follow your long, lingering dinner. photo credit: Richard Casteel" - Chelsea Thomas