Recently in Tapas Category

The baby squid and pasta combined to make a divine dish.

We had the opportunity to see Chef Jose Garces at Gourmet Chicago last week. We were so delighted by his cooking demonstration that we decided to drop by his restaurant for a sample of what he cooked up. The octopus was mighty tasty, but how did the other dishes stack up?

(12.8 M)

00:00 - 02:18 Dying to try the octopus
02:19 - 04:04 Other appetizers
04:05 - 05:03 Best mojitos evaaaaah
05:04 - 06:15 Getting to dinner and cheese
06:16 - 08:24 Baby squid and other horizontal delights
08:25 - 09:50 Dessert
09:51 - 12:00 The insides
12:01 - 13:56 Wrap-up and sign-off

Two preparations of baby octopus, one by Chef Jose Garces and the other by his restaurant on the right.

Mercat a la planxa
638 Michagan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60605
Get directions

Average price per person: $70

Related Chicago Bites Posts:
Bull-eh-dia's Tapas Bar
Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!
De Cero

Online buzz about Mercat a la planxa:
Refined Palate
Sky full of Bacon
The Stew

Check out our Mercat a la planxa photos on Flickr.

Chef Jose Garces preparing octopus at Chicago Gourmet

Solomillo a la Parrilla -- the beef was tender, but the potatoes lacked character.

In the mood for some tapas? You could take the Brown line train to the newly renovated Southport station and walk to the revamped Neybors spot to enjoy the latest offering in Chicago, Bull-eh-dia's Tapas Bar. Will this newcomer hold up to the city's stiff competition for tapas cuisine? Listen in to find out.

(18.1 M)

00:00 - 01:22 The pleasures of Southport dining
01:23 - 02:39 Accessibility conundrums
02:40 - 05:01 Baseline tapas dishes & drinks
05:02 - 08:36 The ups and downs of tapas
08:37 - 09:53 A tapas history according to Bull-eh-dia's [Wikipedia's article on tapas]
09:54 - 11:47 Thoughts on service
11:48 - 13:10 Ratings and sign-off

Bull-eh-dia's Tapas
3651 N. Southport

Bridget's Bull-eh-dia's Ratings:
Food Quality: 3/5
Value: 4/5
Service: 4/5
Ambiance: 3/5
Overall: 5/10

Tammy's Bull-eh-dia's Ratings:
Food Quality: 2/5
Value: 3/5
Service: 3/5
Ambiance: 4/5
Overall: 4/10

Average price per person: $30

One of the best seafood dishes on the menu were the scallops.

Related Chicago Bites Posts:
Arco de Cuchilleros
Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!

Online buzz about Bull-eh-dia's Tapas Bar:
312 Dining Diva
Yelp

Check out our Bull-eh-dia's Tapas Bar photos on Flickr.

The Calamares a la Plancha, while tasty, were also were served with too much oil.

Mussels are served steaming hot!

A few weeks ago we asked listeners to share their favorite tapas places in Chicago, and our friend Jack offered to share his family's favorite tapas spot, Arco de Cuchilleros. We enjoyed an evening of delightful company, yummy tapas, and excellent sangria, but did Arco de Cuchilleros hold its own? Listen in and find out!

(5.9 M)

00:00 - 00:52 Intro, Tapas Smack Talk
00:53 - 02:28 Yes, but how was the sangria?
02:29 - 10:50 Arco de Cuchilleros, Dish-by-Dish
10:51 - 12:54 Ratings and Sign-Off

Arco de Cuchilleros
3445 N Halsted St.

Bridget rates Arco de Cuchilleros 5/10
Tammy rates Arco de Cuchilleros 5/10

Mystery fruit tart with chocolate sauce

Related Chicago Bites Posts:
Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!
La Fonda

The veggie paella is worth the 20 minute wait.

Bridget and I agree that even though there are better places for tapas in the city, Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba is still a good place for standard tapas classics. You can load up on a combination of sangria, patas bravas & goat cheese, feed a crowd, and then go home with cash in your pocket. If you want a fun, lively atmosphere and food that everyone in your group can agree on, then head over to Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!

(5.8 M)

00:00 - 00:50 Intro
00:51 - 11:54 Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! Review
11:55 - 12:24 Sign-Off

Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!
2024 N. Halstead

Bridget rates this restaurant 6/10
Tammy rates this restaurant 6/10

Related Chicago Bites Posts:
del Toro
Quartino

Patas Bravas never looked so...neat and tidy?

Bridget and I haven't been eating out less, we've been writing more! Unfortunately, NaNoWriMo activities have impacted our podcasting schedule. Still, we decided to set aside the quest for the great American novel long enough to record our thoughts on del Toro - a Spanish Tapas place set in Wicker Park. Interested in an upscale take on tapas? Try this little gem.

(12.4 M)

00:00 - 00:29 Intro
00:30 - 12:50 del Toro Review
12:51 - 13:30 Announcements & Sign Off

del Toro
1520 N. Damen

Bridget rates this restaurant 6/10
Tammy rates this restaurant 7/10

Churos, Hot Chocolate & Other Goodies

UPDATE: Del Toro is closed as of 03/18/2007.