Barceloneta – Chef’s Tasting Menu

Chorizo

“The Belly Rules the Mind” – a Spanish proverb on the menu of South Miami’s Barceloneta, the second location of the Spanish Tapas Bar and Bistro from the Pubbelly Group, known for their concept themed tavern style pubs. Barceloneta pays tribute to the cooking and “Mercat” dining of Catalonia.

For $35 per person, you can sample a wonderful assortment of tapas from the Bistro Section of the menu.  And it comes with a glass of Cava, coffee and dessert.

Chorizo a la Sidra – Spanish chorizo, valdeon cheese, apples, cider/ Just like it sounds, this is a sweet dish with mild sausage.  The flavor is terrific but it would be off the scales if it were kicked up a notch with a slightly spicier chorizo.

Vodka Martini

Hendricks

Great mixologist who conjured up The Hendricks, a delicious gin tonic with cucumber, mint and Guindilla Peppers.

Gins paired with fresh juices, herbs and botanicals are feataured on the menu.

Caracoles a la Llauna – escargot, rabbit sausage, parsley and garlic butter/  Delicious little morsels wrapped in pastry.  Nothing could be less than wonderful dipped in this garlic butter.  The mini baguette is a must accompaniment.

Croquetas de Jamon Iberico – creamy Iberic ham fritter/  These were crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside.  Loved them.

Vieiras – scallops, zucchini, pearl onion, tomato confit, brown butter, sherry/  Great combination of flavors, enhanced nicely by the sherry (jerez).

Gambas al Ajillo – langoustines, jerez and garlic sauce/  This classic tapa, with heads-on langoustines, needs only one suggestion.  More!

Rabo de Toro al Vino – tempranillo braised oxtail, soft potato puree, Idiazabal cheese, truffle/  Don’tbe scared off by “oxtail”. Very much like Ropa Vieja, this dish is juicy and flavorful with a silky and refined puree of potato.  Wonderful!

This dining experience just scratched the surface of their menu which also includes charcuteria y quesos, arroces, tapas de la huerta (from the orchard) and unique and interesting cocteles y cervezas.  I look forward to bringing the party crowd back to Barceloneta.  5850 Sunset Dr.  Reservations only for groups of eight or more.

If you would like to read some of my other restaurant reviews, you can check them all out within my RESTAURANT category. If you have ever been to this restaurant, please share with us your own experience by leaving a comment below. I would love to know what you thought about it.