"Lunch at Tavernita"

April 18, 2012

• crudos

• Food: Small plates packed with a punch
• Decor:
• Service:
• Cost: $$
• Wine / Cocktails:

Overview:

You know you get the week started off right when you have Monday lunch at Tavernita. Ryan Poli’s much anticipated menu and venue exceeded our culinary expectations, with our return visits booked on our way out the door. We started the meal with one of the fresh and vibrant crudos:

Snapper Ceviche with a great small dice of celery, tomatoes, ginger, cilantro and orange. It was swimming in springtime.

Next delivery was an order of bocadillos (small sandwiches) perfectly assembled with pork belly, pickled red onion, apple jam on a brioche bun.

The photo can speak for itself, but the frites bravas were CRISPY and happy to be dunked in the spicy tomato sauce and creamy garlic aioli. Perfectly seasoned.

Meatballs are always a treat. Rolled with wagyu beef and pork in a traditional romesco sauce that was tangy – and had a spicy kick.

We had to try another crudo – hamachi with avocado cream, lime, jalapeno and cucumber.

Recommended Dishes:

Snapper Ceviche, Bocadillos, Frites Bravas, Meatballs, Hamachi

"Great Birthday Dinner"

April 2, 2012

• Food: Small plates, great for sharing
• Decor: Sexy, south of the border, classy
• Service: Knowlegable, Friendly, Fast
• Cost: $$$
• Wine / Cocktails: Mostly tequila, unique cocktails

Overview:

I came here on my birthday with a table of 8 - we had a few people show up unannounced and they were happy and quick to accommodate. We each had a drink at the front bar while we waited for a larger table. They have a really fun and delicious cocktail menu- most of their drinks are made with tequila.

For dinner we ordered pretty much half the menu and split everything. It was enough for everyone to have a bite of each dish. I was most partial to the foie gras mousse (SO GOOOOOOOD), the hamachi carpaccio appetizer and the octopus. I want to go back soon and try more of Chef Poli's dishes! Also, I just saw on Facebook that they do half off on Mondays - score!

Recommended Dishes:

Foie Gras Mousse, Hamachi Carpaccio

"Fun Spot with GREAT food"

March 9, 2012

• Spanish
• European
• Sharing menu

• Food: Spanish
• Decor: European feel
• Service: GREAT
• Cost: $$$
• Wine / Cocktails: Spanish wines/sangria - unique twist on drinks

Overview:

I went to Tavernita last night for my friend's birthday and it was the perfect spot for it. We ordered from the sharing menu and there was enough food to feed the 7 of us for a week. The vibe is young and hip with a European feel which relates to the Spanish cuisine. Each dish was better than the one before it and the sangria was delicious.

Recommended Dishes:

Greg’s meatballs grilled octopus, pork belly bocadillos, brussels sprouts and patatas (a must)