The Savored Blog

Tapas have long been a favorite for group dining, and we can’t help but agree that anything worth sharing is better shared with friends. Today we’ve highlighted a few of our favorite spots serving up small plates with big taste and much, much more. So send that mass email and round up your group, because these places are not to be missed.

San Francisco's Txoko

Txoko serves up basque-style tapas right in the heart of San Francisco’s North Beach. Expect big and bold flavors from tiny dishes; standouts include the mushroom arroz, braised lamb shoulder and pan-seared day boat scallops.

NYC's Gastroarte

Gastroarte, in NYC”s Upper West Side, combines the beauty of an artistic view with the flavors of authentic Spanish cuisine, making for a truly unique dining experience made of savory and memorable small plates.

Chicago's Azucar

 Serving up innovative Spanish-style tapas and specialty drinks, this Logan Square gem is the perfect destination if you’re looking for a social setting that will satiate any appetite. Be sure to start with Azucar’s crispy potatoes served in a savory brava sauce and topped with paprika aioli.

Washington DC's Zengo

 Zengo, a hip boite in Washington DC, artfully blends flavors of Asia and Latin America, creating signature small plates (like their tuna wonton tacos) that are out of this world.

 Oh yes it’s ladies’ night… and do we ever have some Savored picks for you. Whether you’re looking for the right landscape for a good gossip sesh, or just want a few drinks with your pals, these stand out eateries know how to treat a woman right.

Tartinery

Finish up a day of SoHo shopping at this contemporary French bistro. Decadent French food, fine wines and a soothing atmosphere make Tartinery an ideal stop for you and your ladies.

Veranda

Located in the bustling and hip West Village, sleek Veranda is the perfect place for a delicious meal and a creative cocktail… or two.

Butter

If you’re headed for a night out on the town, make sure to start off at Butter. From the decadent cocktails to the “Page 6″ faces, you can’t go wrong with picking this NoHo spot.

Ayza Wine and Chocolate Bar

The name says it all! By pairing decadent chocolate with stellar wines and a unique menu of Mediterranean tapas meant for sharing you’ve found you and your girlfriends will find yourselves never wanting to leave Ayza Wine and Chocolate Bar.

It’s sad but true; my biggest issue when going to a restaurant is narrowing down the list of everything on the menu to a single selection.  I like to taste it all – chalk it up to #FoodieProblems.  This may just be why I’m such a fan of restaurants that feature tapas (or small plates) meant to be shared amongst the table.  Topping my list of tapas is Alcalá, a treasure for plate-sharers like me that is tucked away in charming digs on 46^th St, just off the corner of 1^st Avenue.

After being greeted by Alcalá’s doting staff, sneak a peek at their phenomenal wine list – Spanish wines are amazing and oak-aged Riojas are my personal favorites.   Pop that bottle and in no time, you may just find yourself chatting up the resto’s delightful owner, Jesus Martinez.  Wherever your conversation leads, make sure you ask him for menu recommendations – his suggestions helped me with my indecision predicament!  Although, the answer is usually to order as much as possible – and my two friends and I did just that; if when I return to Alcalá to do it all over again, I’ve got my order down pat.

First, the rubbed tomato bread, a Spanish classic; it’s a light and refreshing start to the feast that will ensue.  Next, the Gambas al Ajillo will thrill shrimp lovers, though you might think twice about sharing the love with anyone YOU love after ingesting the healthy dose of garlic this petite dish packs.  The Almejas a la Bilbaína, a satisfying little bowl of delicious little clams, are easy to go splitsies on but feature the full flavor of a white Rioja wine sauce, combined with garlic and fresh parsley.

Canelones de Espinacas

Off-Menu Potatoes

Take a brief breather, as we did, and then get ready for Round Two, which, if done right, should be dedicated to carbs.  For the Canelones de Espinacas, dumpling-thin sheets of pasta are wrapped around a surprisingly light mixture of shrimp and spinach, plated in a pool of tomato sauce and then doused with Béchamel sauce.   An off-the-menu dish followed – just ask for the lightly fried potatoes with dijon mustard+ketchup/mayo drizzle – it tastes even better than it looks (and a whole lot better than it sounds) – trust me, it’s remarkable.

The main meal event is an order that I hope goes without saying: you’re at a Spanish restaurant, you order Paella!!!  The Paella de Mariscos is pure pescatarian delight; rice is simmered to perfection in a seafood stock and topped with an array of well-seasoned shellfish and prawns.   This dish is the epitome of Spanish cuisine and dinner at Alcalá certainly embodies all the elements of my ideal tapas-style meal.