Damn it- just got notice that they are closing in two weeks. Gave up the lease. This is our drop-in neighborhood spot - hate, hate, hate this! read more

Bar Casa Vale - Trout - cooked perfectly. Good but not overwhelmingly sauced - Tapas Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Took one last trip over to Bar Casa Vale this evening to raise a glass to their successful 10 year run. Their last day of service will be 4/25, so get over there pronto if tapas are your thing. The ambiance was as stylish and moody as I remember from the last visit (years ago, sorry) the service stellar, and the meal delightful (but overpriced for simple patatas bravas). I'll be sorry to see them and their unique spin on the PDX food scene go. Cheers! read more

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Bar Casa Vale has a romantic and rustic sort of irresistible charm. The orange wine is out of this world and the service is smooth and conversational. The hostess/waitress, who triples as a sommelier, was great to recommend the bottle of orange wine that she did. I have no clue what it was called but it was one of the most delicious orange wines I ever had. A little context, this bottle of wine was rare and only produced in one of ten (or eight?) vineyards in a specific region... for ~$60. It was truly a steal because I've paid double for bottles of wine that don't taste nearly as good. Similar to their wine, their tapas are all well executed. You can't go wrong with classics like patatas bravas and pulpo, the croquetas de jamon are creamy flavor bombs, and the Arroz Mixto features the best combination of seafood, pork, and poultry. The leeks were flavorful too but hard to cut because of their natural texture. The meal was rounded out by a light olive oil cake paired with berries. The whole experience made me feel like I was shooting the ending scene of a happily ever after romance movie. The setting is perfect, the girl gets the guy and everything works out. The vibe, the food, and the service is truly something else. 1000000/10 read more

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Every now and then you find a place that blows you away. This is that place! Exquisite food inspired from northern Spain, with authentic wood grill. Service was great and the bartender is a genius. Yes, I said she is a genius. The drinks were art work. (No, I don't know anyone who works there - I just really loves this place) read more

Bar Casa Vale - Patatas bravas with a hint of smoke - Tapas Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Excellent meal made better with friends. Drinks were good. I should have had one of their cocktails instead of the G&T. Tried several at the table and yummy. We had scallops which were perfect texture and great flavor with the parsnips, croquetas which were pretty typical, patatas bravas which we had to order more because they were too good, and the bisteca which was lovely. The only miss was the gambas- so much sauce that you couldn't taste the shrimp. We got several bottle of Tempranillo which hit the spot. Bread was tiny toast which was ridiculous. Service excellent. Wish we had room for dessert. read more

Atmosphere: Great atmosphere. Outdoor tables and a nicely designed interior. Was fairly slow the day we went so did not have as much of a lively feel, but I could imagine it may other days. Food: The Pintxos Platter was probably the best thing that we had. The charcuterie was very good. Pan con Tomate tasted fine, but the portion size for the price was insulting. Octopus was decent. Price: Upscale restaurant so a little spendy. Personally, I felt the prices skewed a bit high for the portion size. Given how cheap bread is, they could have given more than one piece of bread in the Pan Con Tomate for $9 Service: Table Service. Service was good. Parking: Small parking lot for maybe 10 cars. Also street parking nearby. Overall: All the food was decent but nothing really stood out to entice a return visit given the price point and portion size and plethora of dining options in Portland to try. read more

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I knew the Olympia Provisions empire stretched beyond their eponymous headquarters, but was still pleasantly surprised to see how far, while checking their website. Bar Casa Vale is the Spanish offshoot, and I'm thrilled to have paid a visit. First off, croquetas were spectacular - perfectly done. The octopus was among the top 3 I've ever had, anywhere. Patatas Bravas had just the right amount of seasoning, like everything else we tried here. All in all, the bar food here compares favorably with anything I've had, anywhere in Spain. The space is welcoming - with lighting that makes it easy to read the menu, while being subdued at the same time. Service was knowledgeable, friendly, and efficient, without hovering. read more

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Street parking can be sketchy at night, so come early to find some and plan ahead. Reservations are highly recommended. We got the chefs choice menu for 2 and the beginning was super slow to come out..I was getting hangry lol. Our drinks were really good and we'll sized though. Once I inquired about how many plates we were actually getting and when, I was relieved. They all came at the same time really and I ended up being stuffed. Food was great and ambiance was cute, dark, romantic. Pricey but worth it. The salad with the fried apple rings were the best. Best salad i ever had actually. 10/10 read more

Recently went here for portland dinning month and loved everything about it. Friendly attentive staff, delicious food.

We ended up here by happenstance and decided to give it a try. Tucked away in a parking lot, dark from outside but my husband always says the display of lights draw me in. We'll, there is some truth to that, but it was also a Cold night and I saw a fire pit sparking through as we walked by. Quaint bar and restaurant. They have both indoor and covered (warm) outdoor seating that expands the space. Tables were filled with both friends gathered, laughing and having cocktails as well as couples enjoying a lovely dinner together. The staff - when we walked in originally, we were created by a gentleman who was welcoming and shared more about the restaurant with us. We hesitated a bit and stepped outside as we already had our name on a waiting list for another restaurant around the corner. After talking a bit more we decided to cancel that wait and walked back in. We only had about a 5 min wait for a table and were seated. The menu is Spanish tapas. We ordered drinks (they were so so), the chorizo with hot honey, but it was the grilled octopus that won the evenings dinner praise. We enjoyed trying the restaurant, however (not just here, but all tapas restaurants) tend to be on the pricier side for food. Great atmosphere, good staff and enjoyable food. read more

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Spanish diners may serve tapas, which are small plates of food meant for sharing, or other traditional Spanish dishes. This place is a a take on the tapas style treats from overseas. We stopped in to check this out and decided to stay for some treats. Teh srvice staff os pretty on spot. When were waiting I thought they were under staffed however everyone seemed to work together and make sure no one is left unattended. ONe thing to consider, 20% is added to every order plua health care coverage tax. The place is loud. Expect to have to speak up just to hold a conversation. read more

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Nice spot! I'm always excited for tapas, and this spot had some decent options. Our bartender was helpful with dish descriptions, and we opted for two proteins (the grilled shrimp and ham croquettes) and two sort of "sides" (the grilled tomato bread and roasted peppers). The shrimp and bread were the forerunners for me. I thought everything was fine but I wasn't wowed. Also, the plates took quite a while to come out, and there weren't many guests dining that evening so I didn't really understand the wait. The bar is beautiful with the green, sort of aquatic uplighting. The outdoor fire pit was really cool (or warm, I should say!). I'd go back for the ambiance before the food. read more

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We've been in twice recently and the servers are lovely, but the experience make me wish I never left home. The first time was in December and we hoped to get dinner and drinks, but were sent away after our cocktails because of a "kitchen fire." They comped our cocktails and gave us gift cards, so we went back. I ordered a $16 cocktail and it was presented like this. The wrong glass, no garnish, just meh. Maybe the bar tender was new? The server was great and replaced the drink. The food was priced like high end food, but fell woefully short. We will not be going back and recommend Scotch lodge or rum club in that areas. read more

Bar Casa Vale - $16 cocktail at bcc. - Tapas Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

This is from September so it's an old review but better late than never This was a wonderful restaurant to try and would love to come back sometime! My partner and I stopped in while walking around Portland. The staff was kind and informative of the menu and the outside area was nice! We really enjoyed the octopus! It was a different dish from anything we've ever had! Lots of flavor and the octopus was cooked perfectly. Deviled eggs were amazing but it's hard to share with 3 of them. The crudo was good but honestly had too much going on for such a small amount of fish. $17 for that was really disappointing. I wish it said in the description that it's a pretty small dish. read more

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This place was one of my favorites. But then... In Dec of 2025 three of us went her for their paella night. $65/pp. What the server failed to mention was that it was a so-called Hunter's Paella and featured chicken, not seafood and sausage. The serving was skimpy (tons of rice and small portions of overcooked chicken) and so salty we couldn't finish it. Then they gave us two desserts to split when three of us were dining. All in all, it was a really bad experience and I'm now, sadly, hesitant to return. read more

I hadn't been here in years and glad I gave it another chance- tasty drinks and enjoyed all the dishes we tried. The pork belly, trout and besos were probably my top picks but all of the food was flavorful and delicious. Friendly staff, indoor and outdoor seating options, and overall a nice dinner spot. read more

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This place is by far one of my favorites in Portland!! The staff are THE BEST! Seriously! I can't say enough amazing things about every single person I've encountered here. The food speaks for itself: vibrant, dynamic, flavorful, textural- composition is wonderful and the staff is so knowledgeable about flavor pairings so let them help you if you're between choices! 100/10- this place is a GEM! read more

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Only by pure luck walked into this amazing tapas restaurant and bar!!! Amazing greeting with the most amazing host who promptly sat us without reservation!! Great little bites and large shareable plates as well!!! Amazing beverages as well!!! Highly recommended!' read more

We always frequent this establishment when we're in the mood for tapas and paella (arroz mix on the menu). Service was great minus us having to remind them about the birthday celebration on our reservation notes but all good. Food was 7/10 since the rice wasn't as crispy as usual & potatoes were a bit hard. We've had it better prepared in the past but still fairly tasty. Ambiance is great. Drinks could be improved by adding a garnish. It's always a bit sad to pay $15+ and not get the extra touch (personal preference). Last improvement regarding the 20% auto gratuity - not a fan when restaurants do this + 3% health charge. For party of 2, doesn't make sense to tack on these charges and ask for additional tip. read more

Bar Casa Vale - Tapas Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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It's a bit too hip for a tapas joint in Spain, but hey, we are in PDX, and the ambiance is quite enjoyable, with a bar area, seating area, and an outdoor, heated, tented-space. Something for everyone. Four of us worked our way through a good part of the menu. Boquerones, Spanish cheese board, pan con tomate, patatas bravas, ensalada de espinacas, calabaza guisada, atun crudo, roasted romanesco cauliflower, and the wagyu steak a la plancha for the carnivore of the group. Presentation of the food was mixed, as was portion size, but generally appropriate for the dish. Bread with tomato--well, it's a slab of thick cut, large grilled bread slathered with a bright, acidic tomato conserve. I wonder if summer tomatoes would smooth out that excess bite, but the dish worked well. I mean bread and tomatoes is a peasant dish, and the portion size matched that. The cheese board was quite the opposite, aiming for visual minimalism that matched the 2 ounces of cheese, a small mounding of macerated raisins, and a scant grouping of thinly shaved fennel that was so marvelously seasoned that I really wish the kitchen hadn't been so stingy. The cheese selection was ok, not exceptional, which made it feel that the $16 price tag for this was exorbitant. Switching aesthetic approach again, the spinach salad used a variety of thick-leafed over-sized spinach, and kept the leaves whole, which required some dexterity on the diner's part. I prefer the texture of spinach like this over the more easily managed baby spinach or even bunched spinach you find in the market. The pears and pumpkin seeds added excellent texture and variety, and while the salad was perfectly dressed (ie, not over-dressed), the quince vinaigrette seemed more like a conceit--being overly-interested in including the name quince in the description than adding any particular identity of its own. Despite that one quibble, the dish was a success. Moving on to the boquerones, we return to a very small portion size, unless you include the generous offering of crackers. But that's as it should be as anchovies are about intensity not quantity. These were a good example of white anchovies, having that fresh, bright, saline flavor which distinguishes them from the muddled, all-bass notes of your average canned variety. A win. The butternut squash was one of the great successes of the kitchen on the night we dined in. Squash, when handled well, has an intense, meaty depth to it, and this was on point. Add to that the judicious layering of flavors, from the harissa, which didn't punish with heat, but added a tickle of interest, and the slightly sour richness of the fromage blanc produced a fully-conceived winner. Regarding portion size and presentation, this hit a mid-spot between rustic food and urban sophistication, coming out in a glazed earthenware cocotte which was as autumnal as the squash. And then the patatas bravas. If there is one stereotypical tapas, this is it, and as a consequence, there is tremendous variety in how kitchens approach the classic. BCV decided to hew a country-path with a nod to American sensibilities, by which I mean that the potatoes were coated in far more 'salsa brava' than many places in Spain. The potatoes themselves were served in oversized chunks that added to their bucolic identity as did their abundance. Some of the potatoes had a crisp exterior that crackled beneath their creamy interior, while others may have softened or never crisped up in the first place. In the dim light, it was hard to ascertain, but it felt like the potatoes had not been peeled. Again, the peasant approach, which stood out as I can't think of a time when patatas bravas were not peeled. These also were slathered with what the menu calls an aioli, but which was less assertive on the garlic flavor than many, which I noted as a benefit. With the atun crudo, we are once again presented with minimalist plate decor to accompany the small portion size. The raw 'tuna' had a slight "bite" to it. I should first note that here the menu seems to be confused, because yellowtail is a jack, not a tuna. Having eaten and fished a great deal of yellow tail, I am still confused by the texture of this yellow tail. It makes me think that it may have undergone a very short pickling or curing--it didn't taste it but the texture was confusing. The parsley oil was lovely, purveying all the complexity that good parsley possesses. The large lipped plate was dotted with the harissa in the contemporary style, like small red molehills of mild flavor. I still haven't decided how successful this dish was, which may itself be the answer. While I didn't have the steak, I was told it was extremely tender, which credit must be split both by the cut of meat--flat iron is second only to tenderloin for a yielding texture. However, the pumpkin puree didn't meet with my pal's approval. Service was solid, providing descriptions of dishes and keeping us appraised of kitchen timing. Bravo! read more

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Worthy of a top 40 recognition! Space & lighting perfect for a cozy & romantic vibe inside. The simple outdoor patio is just as energetic (on the weekends). Order the paella as soon as the staff greets you for drinks. We must have been lucky cause the grilled octopus was one of the largest legs we ever had! So tender & flavorful. Service excellent ~ poised and friendly with smiles each time. Very attentive. Limited private parking lot, street parking for most. Reservations recommended. read more

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This place deserves a Michelin star. The people I spoke with were very accommodating, fun, and welcoming. The food was plated like each dish was a work of art. And the flavor! Each dish was more delicious than the last. I actually licked the plate a few times. This is easily my new favorite restaurant and I am counting the seconds as to when I'll be back! read more

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Their cocktails are delicious! The ambience is laidback. We sat at the bar since their tables are usually for parties greater than 2 The service is quick and very attentive read more

This place has a tasting menu for currently (2025) $65 a person. After participating in the tasting menu with 4 other people, I've learned that the meals they provide are the undersold dishes of the night. The dishes were very small and left alot to wanted. When a restaurant does a tasting menu, it is usually their best items to highlight the skills of the chefs. This restaurant seems to be the opposite. I'd suggest cation coming to this restaurant in general but highly caution the tasting menu. I was very disappointed with the meal. The wine selection however, was very pleasant and the staff were nice. read more

We came here for drinks and dessert. The desserts, drinks and service was so good that we want to come back for dinner one of these days. The ambience is dark, dim, woody, cozy, romantic. It is inviting for couples, friends, and singles that want to get a drink at the bar. This is mainly a restaurant and they operate on restaurant hours, closing at 10 pm. They have an enclosed outdoor space with a fire pit and heat lamps. read more

Bar Casa Vale - Tapas Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

The perfect place for a date night filled with fun and Spanish tapas. We loved the sangria, the Roasted Romanesco cauliflower, and the Steak Banderilla. Our server was wonderful, we'll definitely be back. read more

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First time here. Came on a weekday. Lots of FREE parking. Arrived when it opened and was seated immediately. There was one other table of 4 guest. The space had an indoor/outdoor feel. We looked over the menu and decided on a few things to share. The Mixed Green Salad was refreshing. Grilled Octopus was tender. Patatas Bravas (potatoes) didn't impress us. Both the octopus and potato tapa had a similar taste. The restrooms are shared with other businesses in the building. read more

Bar Casa Vale - Potatoes - Tapas Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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First of all, I would call this an "upscale" restaurant, this coming from a notorious food cart junkie. The ambiance is what I would call luxurious, but I think it was a bit too dark. The service was impeccable. The servers knew every inch of the menu, were pleasant and very helpful with giving advice. The food was good. I always look for the "surprise" dish and this time, it was the croquettes and the frisée salad. The octopus was very good and the potato chips was a nice touch. If you are looking for an elegant date night, this a great place to try. read more

This place changed my whole perspective on Spanish food, I want to go to Spain right now to eat more of this cuisine! We ordered quite a lot and enjoyed their take on certain items. The server noted our non diary preferences and made sure to let us know which dishes contained dairy. We ate a lot and I enjoyed ever dish! The ambiance was dark and moody, but not too dark that you couldn't read the menu. I'll definitely be back! read more

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Go for the drinks, stay for the service! I visited Bar Casa Vale with a friend this week for the first time and had an amazing experience. Was able to find street parking right in front, although they do have a small parking lot! The service is incredible! The staff was present and super attentive and our food came out very fast. The food was delicious but extremely salty. That could just be personable preference but again delish! My favorite was the drink! I'm still thinking about it and will return for drinks with friends. I got a rest last minute and we sat outside on the patio and it was a perfect end of summer day. Overall, I would recommend this place, if it's on your list! read more

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How interesting! Bar Casa Vale serves tapa-style Spanish food and I was intrigued as I've studied abroad in Spain during college. Their tapas menu is authentic and showcases dishes you'd find on the streets of Spain. We got the patatas bravas, brussels sprouts, gambas al ajillo, costillas de Jerez, and mixta paella. Food came out really fast and I was impressed. All the flavors of the dishes were interesting...it wasn't bad, and it were flavors I'm familiar with, but I wasn't sure how well they worked together. The patatas bravas and brussels sprouts were a bit too over-fried - almost too crisp. The mixta paella was weird...it was citrusy, and it overpowered the dish. The rice was also too mushy. Overall, great concept, but execution could be better. Service was great though! Our waitress was attentive and came in to check on us frequently. Maybe our visit was a one-off as I've heard good things about them. Or maybe this is my sign to go back to Spain... read more

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We had high hopes of this restaurant from its appearance but, sadly, that was the only good thing about it. The bartender was dismissive, unhelpful and treated us like we were more of a bother than customers you want to please so they will come back or tell their friends about. The cava was fine, the glass probably costs what the bottle does at the store. We opted for trying a few appetizers before delving fully into the menu, so we didn't choose either of the prix fixed menus. We've learned to test the waters so to speak, with an app or two and if they are not good, we cut our losses and leave. We should have followed our instincts but there were a lot of great sounding choices. The scallops were chewy,tough and obviously frozen. Scallops can be melt in your mouth...this was not that. There was some kind of foam on them that was like whipped sea water or dishwater. Tasteless and a total disappointment. The Fois Gras was also tasteless, with a sickly sweet jam on top, a waste of $24, next we're the Jamon Croquetettes, tiny bits of something inside with a gooey scalding cheese deep fried and the only flavor was salt. Finally to round out the disaster was the fourth fail, potatoes so crunchy you needed a hammer and chisel to cut them, again, salt with some sauce that was more salt. We left, with the added insult of a mandatory 23% tip and health fee. For a total of $130. Yes you did have the choice of asking to have the fees removed, but we felt it wasn't the fault of the staff although the bartender didn't deserve 23% but we really just wanted to leave. There are so many other places to spend $130 for two PPL so look elsewhere. A shame for Portland . read more

We wanted to grab small tapas before a comedy show and this place had a great selection. We chose no meat to reduce heaviness and stuck with veggies. Shishito peppers with on point and plenty for even 3-4 people. He said 4-6 plates would be good for 2 people but we stuck with less. The peppers I preferred a sauce but told that's just a southern thing. Fried cauliflower and nice peppers and nuts mix. I would chop it up and then mix to eat it and not like a piece of meat. Corn was the best with the aioli sauce. That's was finished read more

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The food here was amazing. We got the grilled octopus & steak. Both were cooked to perfection.

Came here on a Friday evening at 6p and was seated immediately. I ordered the Oaxaca National which is a mezcal based drink and it was amazing. We then order the Gildas, boquerones, squid ink fideo, pulpo and patatas bravas. Everything was amazing but I have to say the squid ink fideo was the star of the show. read more

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Bar Casa Vale is an amazing restaurant in the Buckman neighborhood that is worth a visit for any occasion. The restaurant has a beautiful brick interior and lovely ambience with great outdoor and indoor seating. The menu is split into small snacks, medium sized tapas, and larger plates. I went with one other person and ordered the olives, gilda, patatas bravas, salt cod fritters, biltas de manchego, and octopus. The patatas bravas were outstanding, the roasted potatoes were addicting. The biltas de manchego reminded me of gnocchi with a lovely twist of using manchego. I thought all the food was fantastic. In addition to great ambience and food, Bar Casa Vale has a great drink menu with cocktails, spanish wines, and an extensive vermouth list. We tried the vermouth flight and enjoyed it. read more

Bar Casa Vale - Tapas Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Bar Casa Vale might have friendly staff, but not even great service can save food this bad. Chef Robert Smith seriously missed the mark. Every dish we ordered was either overcooked, underseasoned, or just plain strange. It felt like someone was experimenting without any clue what they were doing--and we were the unlucky taste testers. The servers were attentive and kind, which made the experience slightly less painful, but honestly, they deserve better food to serve. This place tries hard to look cool, but behind the trendy vibe is a kitchen that clearly doesn't have it together. I don't care how good the cocktails are--if the food is this bad, what's the point? Won't be back. read more

Awesome revisit to this Spanish tapas place. Beautiful ambience - perfect for an intimate date! Had the Boquerones, Pulpo a la Gallega (grilled octopus), the harissa marinated quail, and the arroz negra (squid ink risotto with calamari). Nice red wine choices to accompany. Excellent service at the bar. The quail and calamari were the true superstars of the evening. Don't miss this sort of hidden gem@ read more

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Checked this place out before a show and it did not disappoint! I went at 6pm on a Saturday and was lucky enough to snag a solo seat at the bar. The atmosphere is really dark and cozy. The bartender was really attentive and the food came out in a timely manner. The croquettes were crispy and delicious, the sauce that came with it was so tasty. The bartender recommended I try the chorizo and calamari and it was mind blowing. Soaking up the crispy bread with the delicious broth hot the spot. The gin and tonic I had was fantastic as well. I would definitely recommend this place for a date night. read more

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Jumped in here on a Friday night before a show. Grabbed two bar seats. Immediately was helped by the friendly bartender. Got a couple of drinks. They were fabulous. Ordered a few tapas to share. Food was amazing. Great bacon wrapped dates. The Gambas were so delicious. Ordered two more drinks. Equally as good as the first two. What a gem of a spot. Can't wait to come back. read more