rev:text
| - We came here at around 6:30pm on a Saturday night after checking out a few places during the Doors Open Toronto weekend. As we stood by the bar, pondering over the menu, 2 seats freed up by the window. We quickly sat down, and a waiter came by shortly after to take our orders.
The experience was quite authentic as it really reminded us of the tapas restaurants we visited in Spain a few years back. I particularly liked the Gaudi inspired decor, which was unique and whimsical.
We ordered some bread ($3.5) to dip into the tasty oils and sauces from the other dishes. I enjoyed the plump olives ($7) as they were meaty, slightly salty with a good balance of sweet and sour.
The classic Jamon Croquetas ($8) were delicious and melted right in our mouths. These lightly battered fritters and the oozing creamy bechamel with cured ham really hit the spot.
The star of the Octopus a la planxa ($14.25) in my opinion is the spiced oil. It was fragrant and packed with so much flavour, we couldn't stop dipping our bread in it. The octopus was tender and the potatoes went well with the dish, but overall, you can put pretty much put anything in that spiced oil and it would have tasted good!
The Chorizo Sausage ($9.50) was a tad too spicy for me, so my husband ate the majority of it. I did enjoy the sweet red peppers on the side though.
The Squid, Artichokes and Romesco ($16) was tasty, and I particularly enjoyed the romesco, as the flavours were very balanced and it went well with the perfectly cooked squid and artichokes.
Since Bar Raval is also known for their cocktails, I opted for the Palm Springs Pawn Shop ($15) instead of wine, which is my usual choice. I wasn't a big fan of the drink and would prefer the cocktails at Bar Isabel.
Overall, we enjoyed the food here, although I do find the prices to be a bit high for the amount you get. However, given the great flavours and execution, I wouldn't mind returning when I am craving for some good Spanish tapas. Unfortunately, this place does not accept reservations and it does get pretty busy, so do come early or avoid the weekends if you don't want to wait!
|