"I had a wonderful meal and experience Saturday night. I had previously enjoyed a meal during the restaurant's first week of operation while they were still working out the kinks that any establishment has when opening up. Yesterday evening I had noticed on their Facebook feed that they were having a special comprised of a roasted duck confit with a farmers market stone fruit & kale salad. \n\nIntrigued, I decided to drive over and have another meal. I couldn't have been more pleased. My hostess was able to seat me immediately, made sure to ask my preference and placed me at a table in the main dining area downstairs. My waiter then immediately checked in with me, and I asked for the night's special (which also included a Tumeric-infused vodka cocktail, very effervescent and a great palate cleanser). \n\nService continued to be great as I was brought out the special in what felt like no time at all. The meal was what I'd hoped it would be - simply presented yet full of flavor. The salad's sweet crispness was counterbalanced by the duck's earthy, salty flavor. Ingredients were fantastic quality and execution again was precise. I'd only wished i'd had it the first night I was there.\n\nFrom there, I ordered a number of other tapas on the menu, some from my previous visit like the sweet onion crocas and calamari, as well as new ones like the baked clams. Personal favorites are the albondigas (great meat and sauce combination) and the jamon iberico (you don't know what you are missing). Again, everything was plated simply but elegantly; nothing was thrown together. The flavor combinations though are where Alex and his team's talents really shine through.\n\nThis food is simple yet bursting with flavor; this isn't regular bar food that you toss down your throat with a cheap beer. This is fine dining-quality flavor distilled into a relaxed, comforting format that is inviting to any diner. The deserts are also some of the best i've had in the city period. The grilled crepes alone are on point, and their arroz con leche was great. \n\nHowever, the personal touch really made last night great for me. I had a chance to speak with one of the managers, Magdalena, who told me about the night's special, how the ingredients were sourced by chef that day, their plans for Happy Hour, etc. She was pleasant and great in listening to my opinions on the food, answering my questions about the menu and representing the establishment with poise. \n\nI've read the previous review from last night and can say that while I respect her opinion, I wholeheartedly disagree with her assessment of the establishment and think that a couple experiences that don't meet your standards shouldn't bury a restaurant that is still new. I find these reviews of comparison between Tapas and Alex's previous restaurants unhelpful at best; he's not doing molecular gastronomy here, he's been there and done that. He doesn't need to further prove himself. The food at Tapas is comfort food deconstructed and refined yet retains comfort. \n\nI look forward to coming back here again and seeing what Alex and his cooks create next."^^ . "1"^^ . "0"^^ . "2015-05-25T00:00:00"^^ . . . . "5"^^ . "1"^^ .