VIBRANT SPANISH MUSIC,VIBRANT SPANISH DANCE AND ..OH, YES – FOOD

If you wish to try dining on Spanish food and wish to talk to your fellow diners without shouting, we suggest you visit the Spaniard Tapas Bar+ Café on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday during the hours of 11AM to 11PM.

If you wish to experience a floorshow in high decibels, try Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday from 8:30PM to 11:30PM when it is party time for spirited music and flamenco dancing while you dine.

There are four tapas categories – 10 vegetable items,5 of cold cuts, 10 fish/seafood and 9 meat selections.

We sampled tasty Spanish cured ham, manchego cheese, salchichon and chorizo casero from the cold cut list, a nice mixture of domestic and imported mushrooms then a so-so dish of baked goat cheese with herbs in a tomato sauce…both vegetable tapas. The meat choice was Spanish sausage with sherry and caramelized onions, a strong he-man taste. Then we sampled lamb chops with dates, bandy and a demi-glace…quite interesting in taste.

We turned to fish/seafood listing to try the steamed mussels with shallots, cream, tomato and wine. Though they were quite large, they were mealy with poor taste. We also ordered the Chilean sea bass with shrimp and clams, lemon and white wine…not quite up to standard.

We were happy to report a smooth, slightly salty gazpacho with bread crumbs…nice rendition of this cold soup favorite. The soup of the day was a warm puree of vegetables with garnish, very pleasant , indeed.

The Spaniard has a menu of large tapas combos – five in number, a twenty four items tasting menu (this for a minimum of four persons) with a variety of offerings…including a Kosher one.

Please note that any of the six paellas offered need 45 minutes to prepare and serve. The Spaniard lists 35 red, white, rose and champagnes by bottle and pitcher with wines by the glass, by regions 9 assorted beers are for your pleasure.

We ended our experience with coffee and a serving of a molten lava volcano – a fine deep chocolate treat we enjoyed.

Located at 99 SE Mizner Boulevard in Boca Raton (561-347-7000) the hours are 11AM to 11PM, Tuesday through Friday, from 1PM to midnight on Saturday, noon to 10PM Sunday – closed on Monday.

Opened 4 months ago, the Spaniard Tapas Bar+Café has become a mecca for Latinos and Anglos. We appreciate the vibrant Spanish lifestyle. If this is you, then…Go and Enjoy!