Since our trip to Madrid in the spring, I have become a fan of small bites. We had a delicious paella dinner one night which is an experience all its own, but why not instead enjoy the fun of hopping from one bar to another in search of the best tapas. Order one drink and one tapa from each bar to sample the best they have to offer. Everything we tried was amazing but I'd like to say we are still searching for the best tapas just so I have to an excuse to return to Madrid. Not to mention Bardemcilla, sexy sultry Javier Bardem's bar was closed on the night we went to the Chueca so that's my second excuse.
Tapas is Spanish and seeing signs such as "Japanese Tapas" makes me cringe. Middle Easterners call it "mezze" and some midwesterners might call it "appeteasers" but the distinction between all forms of small bite appetizers and tapas is that the latter is authentic Spanish cuisine. When in Madrid, jamón ibérico and tortilla espanola are not to be missed.
In my quest to recreate the Madrid nights we set out to Picaro, an authentic Spanish tapas bar in the Mission. For years, their tortilla de patata has been my favorite but it wasn't until the trip that I realized how authentic it was albeit the name change from tortilla espanola and the addition of a dollop of aioli on top. Layers of potatoes and onions are cooked in oil and covered with eggs to form a savory potato-egg omelette. Picaro's tortilla tastes authentic and delightful and for a moment takes me back to the bars in Madrid. Too bad the amplified traveling mariachi band in no way resembled a Flamenco show to make it as memorable.
suggestions:
As in Madrid, serve tortilla espanola with a glass of rioja for tapas. Alternate use is as a side with your breakfast. When in Madrid do as the Madrileños do and go out to eat around 10 p.m. at tapas bars. Try O Cacho do Jose in Plaza de Santa Ana.
where to find:
Picaro Tapas Restaurant
address: 3120 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
phone: (415) 431-4089
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