Bulla Gastrobar

Needs another star!

The restaurant had booked three large parties and was booming but that did not hinder service even though a tapas meal could be considered easier to serve. My guests had been with me in Barcelona a few years back and this was like a reunion but much closer!

Started with marinated Olives, Pimientos de Padron [shishitos] and Chorizo stuffed Dates while we perused the menu with a bottle of Raimat Albariño. Perfection so far. Next was the Pan con Tomate with Jamon Iberico and Manchego cheese. Added to that service was Fried Artichokes [the best ever], Curry Shrimp and Garlic Shrimp [related but so deliciously different] and the Lentil Soup. 

Finished with Torrija and Natillas for dessert. I had the Bombon coffee which was like another dessert. Then, of course, to finish it all of a Lustau Vermut!

This restaurant needs to come to Hartford. The Manager was evident of the floor the entire meal and she was definitely in charge of a popular gem of a restaurant.

blognote: Jacob was a great server and cool, calm and collected

BARCELONA [Boston]

Dinner at Barcelona with Hartford Stage visitors to the Huntington Theater [next door] to view 'We All Fall Down' directed by our newly-appointed Artistic Director Melia Bensussen. 

I helped with choosing the brunch menu for our group of thirty. The service was perfect and the food served family style was amazing. 

Our menu consisted of a welcome Mimosa followed by Arrival Tapas: Manchego Cheese with Serrano Ham, sliced Rustic Bread, spicy Eggplant Caponata, Chorizo with swee/sour figs and Potato Tortilla Pintxos.

The we had our Family Style Brunch of Patatas Bravas, Thick Cut Bacon, Egg Scramble and Brioche Cinnamon French Toast. Dessert was a Dulce de Leche Bocadillo with coffee. Melia spoke with us during the dessert and we found out so much to look forward in the play [and her plans for Hartford Stage].

I can not single out particular offering that was my favorite as everything was the best. Definitely have to go back.

Costa del Sol

Another winner! Costa del Sol always comes through admirably even for Taste of Hartford menu. Started with the Piquillos stuffed with Bacalao, then the Codillo Pork Shank right out of a caveman movie. This was perfection and the meat fell off the bone. Ended with Arroz con Leche. The pitcher of White Sangria was liquid perfection.

Costa del Sol

Costa del Sol for a Holiday Dinner turned out so well...we had a fantastic time. Started with two apps: Pulpo la Gallega [$12] octopus so beautifully spiced and grilled and Piquillos Rellenos de enslada de txanguro [$12] stuffed with crab salad.

Piquillos Rellonos

Pulpo a la Gallega

Then on to the three entrées: Braised pork brisket [$12] with home made barbeque sauce over San Simón cheese mashed potatoes, Trout stuffed with Jamon Serrano [$25] and my Bistec con salsa churrasco [$24] grilled flap steak with churrasco sauce a Spanish grilling sauce of herbs, spices and pureed tomato.

Dessert was a Tarta Santiago with lemon cream...

MERCADO Truck [Span-ish Food]

Glad I caught you tonight on your last night out...you can't get a better meal than the Pork Belly Slider [$5], Crispy Brussel Sprouts [$5] and a bowl of Butternut Bisque [$3 (but comped, thanks)]...have a profitable winter season and will see you as soon as you are out and about...as you can see there is no picture to show; ate it too soon and it was still hot when I got it home...delicious as always!

MERCADO Food Truck

Ate tonight at the KNOW GOOD Market on Bartholomew Avenue's monthly gathering. Mercado Food Truck was there so that was my choice this time. Made two good choices but next time...

Chicharrones [aioli, espelette, sriracha $4]
Spring Pea Hummus [warm Pita, vegetables $5]

Majorca [update]

Another visit to Majorca to introduce friends to some great tapas during Hartford Open Studio weekend. We started with the Stuffed Dates [$8] with chevre and almonds, wrapped in bacon and Olives [$6] marinated with herbs and served warm.

Then we progressed to the Pan Catalan [$6], the Croquettes de Arroz [$9] and the Albondigas Spicy Meatballs [$9]. For dessert we had coffee and the Mango Tart Tatin [$6] and a special of Pineapple Buñuelos. I am sure I made converts to this wonderful place. Hope they don't forget me next time they make reservations!

September 1, 2015

Had a great meal tonight made up entirely of tapas [and desserts] and used a Groupon and split the tab with my guests. What a deal! Anyway, everything was delicious.

Started with Calamares Fritos [$9] with lemon and aioli [needed a bit more fry time but the aioli was fab] and Mejillones [$10] Cape Cod mussels with Chorizo, paprika, tomato broth delicious. Then onto Pan Catalan [$6] Grilled farm bread, warm pan sauce of cherry tomatoes, olive oil, marinated olives and shaved Manchego, Albondigas [$9] Spicy Pork meatballs, smoky tomato sauce, Manchego cheese and then the Papas Fritas [$9] Fried potatoes, Manchego Cheese, garlic, truffle oil.

the aftermath of the mejillones...

For desserts we had Casita Cheesecake, Chocolate Bread Pudding and Mango Tart Tatin [$6] and all were absolutely delicious.



March 14, 2015

Needed to go to Majorca to see what they have done with one of my favorite haunts O'Porto. The room is still the same but the menu is quite different. We were quite pleased with our meals and some food to take home. Started with two tapas: Datiles Rellenos [$8] dates stuffed with chevre and almonds, wrapped in bacon and delicious and Aceitunas y Hierbas [$6] Spanish olives served warm marinated in thyme, garlic, rosemary, citrus and bay leaf. A good sized serving and some here at home now. 

Olives and Dates

My order of Carne con Huevo [$22] grilled spiced rubbed hangar steak served medium rare as ordered with roasted potato and prosciutto over baby spinach leaves then topped with a fried egg and saffron basil sauce. ¡Rico! The other entrées were Camarones a la Plancha [$22] grilled shrimp over Moroccan couscous, roasted eggplant and red pepper salad tossed with chimichurri and Salmon con Lentejas [$21] pan roasted salmon over warm quinoa, lentil and artichoke salad with an almond and red wine gastric. Shared a dessert of Caramelized Pineapple Tort.

Carne con Huevo

Camarones a la Plancha

April 4, 2015

Back again today after Theater Works with three other people for tapas. I got there early so started with a glass of Albariño and the assorted Spanish olives [$6] which are my favorites. When everyone got there we ordered two orders of the duck confit, Pato con lentejas [$10], a good sized serving but the skin could have been crispier and the lentils were a bit bland and 'medium rare' although the duck itself was delicious. My order of meatballs, Albondigas [$9] was very good and easy to share. The roasted eggplant, Berenjenas Rellenas con Queso [$8], was also good and the sauce is terrific. Then after we thought we were finished, one order of ribs [$9], Costillitas con Cous Cous, was ordered and turned out to be a real winner. The Moroccan couscous was superb. Dessert turned out to be an order of dates, Datiles Rellonos [$8], are my all time favorite [see above]. The cappuccino was not as hot as I like but finished off a great meal of sharing and fun.

April 11, 2015

Here I am back again; this could become habit forming! Lunch today on the first real nice day of Spring. Next time will eat on the patio but a little too chilly today.

Tried the Pato con Lentejas again and asked that the Chef make sure the skin was crispier and mission accomplished. Still don't like the lentils that much. Since I had coveted the Costillitas last time I ordered it again and it was the best, very best. The ribs [4 of them] were amazing and the cous cous is great. This one goes on my 'let's order that again' list. Another item to add to the list is the Pan Catalan [$6]. While this is a different version of what I am used to in Barcelona, it rocks. It can be ordered with prosciutto [extra charge] and I will try that next time. Super. Also ordered the Papas Fritas [$6] and this huge order of sabor was great. We thought we could never finish them but did!

The pictures do not do justice to the food this time but will post next time with pix. Another excuse to visit Majorca!

El Pulpo Restaurant and Tapas Bar

Another trip to El Pulpo for Happy Hour. There were four of us arriving in three cars as a meeting point for other journeys. Worked out well as the parking is great and the location central for many. I had the same as my last happy hour here: Mussels [$5] in a great broth with that super bread, the Goat Cheese [$5] in a smooth marinara with pesto toast. Two people at the table had the Codfish Croquettes and the Lomo [roast pork] sliders and declared them delicious. Now there's an excuse to come back [like I needed one]. Also had two glasses [$4 each] of the great Albariño I had last time. Remember these are Happy Hours special prices! What a deal; the place is beautiful and the service is spot on.

9/9/15
Went back for 'Taste of the Suburbs' to El Pulpo. This location is not within that district but because they have another restaurant there, they decided to offer the $20.15 menu. There were two courses. For the appetizer course I chose the Pimientos stuffed with a rice salad and a Paella. The paella was so well done with exquisite rice, sausage, chicken, shrimp and mussels. A glass of Albariño [$8] paired well with the meal.

A dessert was not included in the special menu so we split the Creampuff [$6] with pistachio ice cream.

The other diner chose Lamb Empandas and the Shortrib for her dinner and was just as pleased with hers as I was with mine.


8/25/15
If you can't find me on Monday through Thursday from 4 to 6pm, I probably am at El Pulpo Restaurant and Tapa's Bar [website under construction] on Main Street in Middletown. This new venture in Spanish cooking is located in the old ION space in the Main Street Market.

Wandered in after a meeting at the hospital and was just in time for Happy Hour. I had the Mussels and the Goat Cheese [$5 each] and a glass of Albariño [$4]. The white was chilled and fruity and the tapas were delicious. The extra bread with the mussels made the day while sopping up the spicy broth. The bread with the goat cheese floating in a sweet tomato sauce had a smear of pesto. 

Great decor in the dining room and bar and terrace seating. Wonderful service especially if Chris is taking care of you.

MERCADO FOODS

Went to this month's Know Good Market and the food choice was excellent. Last month I ate Brazilian food. 

This month I ate at the Mercado Food Truck. This event is not to miss. Follow it and show up for the food, the music, the people. This is Hartford. I love Hartford!

What a menu and what a treat! I had the Brussels Sprouts, the Queso Frito and the Duck Fat Potatoes with a fried egg on top. Everything was tapas sized and delicious.

blognote: Follow Know Good Market on Facebook for updates and next pop-up. The space is where the BLD [Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner] is located near the Dirt Salon. Great free parking across the street.

and then there are tapas...

Tapas, the ubiquitous gem of culinary Spain, enchant and entice me. They can be the simplest addition to a glass of wine, an array of food for a light lunch or an exquisite start to an evening's romp through the streets...

watermelon with water removed and replaced with sangría

Suso's Latino Basket

Ate at Suso's this evening with one of my many Groupon. What a great experience. I had eaten here before when it first opened and was not as impressed as tonight.

Started with the roasted corn found in many other restaurants but here it is sweet and salty. I ordered the Chimichurri Flank steak medium rare to rare just as ordered served with roasted potatoes and roasted peppers [$14]. The chimichurri sauce was deconstructed so that the individual ingredients were quite evident. The other entrée was Shortribs [$16] again with roasted potatoes and roasted peppers. The cut was gigantic and mouth-watering. 

Will definitely return and capture some of the Tapas offered early in the week. We will also bring our wine [or sangría] and enjoy. Here is a video of Chef Jesus Seoane.

Suso's Latino Basket

Finally finishing up most of my coupons before the new year sets them free. Tonight it was at Suso's Latino Basket in Manchester. A little hard to find but worth the travel. They were having tapas tonight but we opted for dinner entrées and were not disappointed. Started with Mofongo de Camarón [$9] for an appetizer. Not the traditional mash but excellent flavor with lots of shrimp.

pernil

zarzuela de mariscos

Three entrées, all very good, were Chimichurri Flank Steak [$13] with roasted potatoes and roasted peppers but not the usual green chimichurri sauce I am used to; a Zarzuela [$16] which was loaded with some nice fresh seafood and a sassy marinara-pernod broth and my Pernil [$11] over rice and beans. The pernil was a tad dry but great flavor.

Place was packed with many ordering tapas from the waiter's menu. This wasn't mentioned on arrival so I guess I have to go back. Service was excellent with not too long a wait for food which can be a pain when hungry [my usual state of being].