"2015-05-20T00:00:00"^^ . . "4"^^ . "Far away from the conception of Spain like an standardized homogeneous country mother of the Spanish tongue, you should know that it is composed by 17 Autonomous Communities; each one with different tongues, climates, ethnicities, gastronomy and traditions. Spanish is just the official language and what gives some identity abroad.\n\nBar Raval really makes you feel that you are hanging out in some bar of Spain. Lots of wood and charcuterie. I liked the chic casual vibe and decoration of the place. \n\nThey don't take reservations, and they are open from breakfast until dinner.\n\nWhen we asked for a table, the hostess asked us if we would mind to be standing up around a barrel/table on the terrace: we didn't care, so we started our Toronto's tapas experience perfectly: with a glass of chilled Terras Gaudas, one of the most popular Alvarinhos (a must try if you are into wines).\n\nThe service was fast, friendly, and different people explained us the dishes. The menu had a lot of interesting items, and I liked the proposal. Something interesting is that they change the menu everyday!!! \n\nWe were told that the chef spends time in San Sebastian (Basques Country), so the menu has a lot of inspiration on their famous pintxos.\n\nWe ordered anchovies, pulpo a la gallega, croquetas, grilled calamari and scallops in pork fat.\n\nThe anchovies came in an order of 2 accompanied with 2 olives. They were meaty, rich in flavour, and a perfect match with the wine.\n\nThe \"pulpo a la gallega\" didn't look like it at all, and I'm sure a gallego would've had a hearth attack seen those tapas using that name (traditionally, it is served in a wooden plate, with potato in the middle, and the slices of octopus are dressed up just with sea salt, olive oil, and red pepper). However, the octopus was tasty and the bread was crunchy.\n\nMy husby loved the croquetas but I felted they were salty. The scallops came in a creamy tick sauce perfect for dipping.\n\nThe grilled calamari was winning the award for my favourite tapa, until my husby saw a guy sucking and enjoying some shrimps; he couldn't resist to ask about them and he was told they were prawns, and that they were a hit: they weren't exaggerating!!! They were so juicy, flavourful and tasty, that we even chew some of their legs...\n\nThis is not a place in where big eaters would end up satisfied. This a place to sample, drink, and share elaborated \"snacks\"."^^ . "0"^^ . . "1"^^ . "4"^^ . .