Tapas Restaurant

[travelluver]

Hi,

I ate two or three years ago at a Tapas place on either
Boylston or Newbury Street. It looked like a Taverna,
lots of brick and such.

Can anyone remind me of the name, and if you have
eaten there, how it was?

Thanks!

[kristinayee]

This past Friday night a bunch of us gals went out for a night out on the town. We had dinner at Tapeo Restaurant & Tapas Bar on Newbury Street and then headed to Vox Populi for drinks afterwards. Here's the low down:

* Result - A fun place for a girls' night out, especially with Sangria!
* Location - 266 Newbury Street, Boston.
* Reservations - Recommended.
* Parking - Street. An empty meter is not easy to find on a busy night and they don't seem to offer valet. We ended up parking at a garage on the corner of Newbury and Exeter Streets. It wasn't bad, only $12 in the evenings.
* Ambience/Decor - Rather cramped, but to be expected in a Newbury St. brownstone.
* Drinks - I highly recommend the Cava Sangría, which is a white sparkling sangría. It was very light and refreshing. A glass costs $8 and a pitcher $26.
* The Food/Menu - Small plates (there are a few normal entrees, but we stuck to the tapas).
* Cost - Each small plate averages around $9-10.
* Service - Eh. Our waiter kept trying to take away plates of half eaten food ... and we felt a bit rushed.

Some of the tapas were better than others, and we got to try quite a few between the 6 of us! These were the faves of the night:

1. Pollo al Ajillo - Garlicky chicken
2. Costillitas de Vaca – Beef Short Rib in Rioja Wine Sauce
3. Queso de Cabra Montañes – Baked Goat Cheese with Tomato.
4. Queso Con Miel – Goat Cheese with Honey & Sweet Onion
5. Patatas Bravas – Baby Potatoes with Piquant Tomato & Ali Oli Sauces

Basically anything with goat cheese was a big hit at our table. The garlicky chicken and the beef short rib were pretty good sized servings and the short rib was super tender. The baby potatoes were a big hit at the table, I think between the six of us, we got three orders! For me, the potatoes were just OK, I've had better bravas at other tapas restaurants.

Tip: If you don't have a large party, consider sitting at the bar. There was a sign out front that advertised $5 tapas if you sat at the bar. I don't know if it's every Friday or not, but it sure would be a good deal!

As for Vox, go there if you want a hip crowd and loud music. There are two floors, a bar on the first floor and a more open space and second bar on the second floor. It was fine for us gals, but might not be for everyone. The beers weren't too pricey, at around $5 each.

[eckjac]

If you are looking for another Tapas place - try Tasca's in Brighton on Comm Ave. Great food, great homemade sangria!

[Snoop37]

I'd have to say skip Tasca. It's cheap, but really the quality of food doesn't touch any other tapas place in the area. I've been there on four occasions throughout college and I've always been disappointed. I second Taberna de Haro on Beacon Street, it's the best in town. Especially on summer nights when they offer outdoor seating.

[BobB]

Agreed - we live near Tasca and used to eat there before we discovered Taberna de Haro. Now we only go back when they have super-cheap specials, like the three courses for $15 deal they've been running lately.

[phipsi102]

Tasca is probably the worst tapas restaurant I've been to in the last 5 years. Tapeo, Solea, Toro, Estragon, Dali, (and Emilio's and various other tapas restaurants in Chicago) all put it to shame. The last time i went to Tasca was a thursday night- the live guitar music was great, but the food was so mediocre that I and my companion agreed to never go back . . .

[Boston_Otter]

Tapeo is owned & run by the same family who runs Dali (in Somerville) and Solea (in Waltham). People I know who've been to all three say that Tapeo is the most expensive and least rewarding of the three. I love the cozy, romantic atmosphere at Dali but I like the selection and service at Solea better, personally.

[voodoocheese]

Funny- I just came from Dali. It is so cozy and romantic... but seriously disappointing in the food department. $91 later, and I wish I had spent my anniversary somewhere more rewarding!

[jkuhlen]

What did you have? I've had some great food there and will probably be back. It would be good to know what things to avoid.

[voodoocheese]

I recommend the queso rebozado (fried somewhat stinky cheese with honey and onions), but I would steer clear of the chicken croquettes and the short rib (mostly fat and bone). The patatas bravas that I remember loving so much were just meh, and weren't even cooked through. Dessert was the almond cake which was bland at best. I'll go back for one more chance... at least now I know what not to get!

[enhF94]

the queso rebozado con miel was my favorite too. I also recommend the quail and rabbit to those who are new to game, although I know Voodoo you're not!

Ask for Crema de Alba, a dessert liquor, either on the rocks or not - it's lovely, especially with the battered strawberry special dessert, which is only on the specials list occasionally.

[jkuhlen]

Ouch! Costillas de Vaca (the short ribs) are my axis mundi there. Sorry yours were a disappointment. I will jump on the queso rebozado next time I'm there. Never tried it before, but "somewhat stinky" has me hooked!

[hazel240]

I have been to Solea twice recently, once at the bar and once in the main dining room, both for weekend lunches. The bar service was markedly better than the table service, which was extremely (painfully) slow and not at all attentive. On both occasions the food was good, the dates wrapped in bacon with cheese was my favorite! I'll stick to the bar for my next visit.

[BobB]

If you're coming back to Boston looking for Spanish food you should check out Taberna de Haro, it's more authentic than Tapeo and serves more than just tapas. Has a great Spanish wine list too.

-----
Taberna De Haro
999 Beacon St, Brookline, MA 02446

[Mr Bigglesworth]

I believe you are talking about Tapeo. http://tapeo.everyscape.com/

[travelluver]

Thanks very much, that's it.
I was able to find it on the boards.