Rita V.
Yelp
I WISH I could give it a couple extra stars! I won't go down the list of names of all the EXTRAORDINARY staff that made our first visit an absolute dream, but we should shout out to Paris our server, the managers and of course, that darling CHEF!
1. The place is noisy as all get out - VIBRANT like a market in Madrid or Barcelona. BUSTLING with people of ALL AGES.
2. Dark - which adds a touch of mistique to a beautifully laid out and decorated locale.
3. INTERESTING - the menu is small enough not to overwhelm and rich enough to tickle any fancy. The layout allows for truly having a "Spain-ish" experience.
4. SOULFUL - from hostess to bussing to service to kitchen to management - young and fresh and delightfully professional. People WANT to work here.
MENU? Well, ok, in all transparency, I won't ding the chef, but the pulpo at $21 was a bit of a debbie downer - a tad underflavored and a tad on the chew side (THAT is not chef's fault, getting octopus that is tenderized AND at a decent price is like searching for barefoot...). That said - THOSE CROQUETAS! I WOULD JUMP IN A POOL OF THOSE CROQUETAS. Home made potato chips (which I oggled from afar because I couldn't shove anymore food down my gullet...). Want veggie? SHUT THE FRONT DOOR BEFORE SOMEONE STEALS YOUR BROCCOLI. Why would I ever swoon over BROCCOLI? Not me. Until this visit. Tapa-worthy. Not too into the "gambas al ajillo" - nothing too wrong with them, just not my favorite (don't get me wrong, I'd still eat them again!!!).
We had some fideua which was perfectly executed, iberico ham (because you have to), pan crystal with tomates, and a couple of more dishes (I'm tooooo embarassed to admit how much we gluttoned on...). Those croquetas... It's what crispy, golden and delicious fried food should be. I'm having withdrawals just thinking about them. HEY - if someone wants to save me the work of making those suckers, AND can nail them like they did - I will drive to Boston and pay parking for those little pieces of crave-demanding deliciousnessessessessess...
Wine list is approachable, thus after starting with my bubbles and hub with a take on a Negroni, we shared a 1/2 bottle of Muga Reserva (2019, great year) and pondered on crushing all the PERFECTLY crunchy outside, creamy inside churros.
Make reservations. The place packs with everything from the young and showyoffy, to the moms/dad/kiddoes, retired grannies and gramps to the eccentric and discerning.
OH, and did I mention HOW CLEAN they keep the place? Jeeze Louise!