Whoever thought up the idea of tapas must have been a genius, because I can’t think of much else better than to sit around and munch on small plates, be they antipasti, meze or tapas.
Bar Cesar has only been around for a couple of years, and in that short time it’s become a popular place to grab brunch or dinner. The vibe is warm, the service is friendly and if you have enough beers, you might be able to convince yourself you’re really in Barcelona instead of the Bay Area. I like to visit the Piedmont location, but there is one in Berkeley too.
The first time I visited Bar Ceasar, my dining partner and I each chose two dishes to share.
I chose the fuet, a dry-cured garlic sausage that tastes like salami, only better. I can’t recall the name of the pickled peppers that it’s served with, but if someone knows, tell me so I can locate a bottle or three for my own cooking.
I also picked the mushrooms al ajillo, which wasn’t as garlicy as I was expecting, but good nonetheless.
We also chose the white bean and garlic soup. Internet, this is one of the most glorious soups I have ever tasted. And I don’t even like soup all that much. I can’t wait to try and replicate this at home.
The salt cod and potato cazuela was our least favorite of the dishes. It was good, but with all the strong, garlicy flavors in our other choices, the cazuela didn’t taste nearly as flavorful.
We split a Cesar sundae for dessert: chocolate cinnamon ice cream, chocolate sauce, almonds and churros. The ice cream was super creamy and the churros were freshly-baked and still warm.
I like my coffee strong, and Bar Cesar’s cafe Americano was among the richest I’ve had.
Bar Cesar remains one of my favorite restaurants and part of the fun in going back is that their menu is always changing. Which reminds me, I’m due for another visit soon.
i love tapas too. one of my favourite (and affordable) places to eat in london is a tapas place. (la bota in crouch end for any random london stragglers reading this.)
i’d be interested in reading a history of tapas, actually. the other day i was wondering if it wasn’t a middle-eastern leftover, given the preponderance of meze throughout the ME.
I’ve wondered about that too.
I wish I knew about La Bota when I visited London last summer! Harrod’s Food Court kept me in the clouds though.
i think it probably is. the only info i have found claims some king got over an illness by nibbling small dishes of food with wine. clearly a legend and unlikely to be true…
as we all know, spain has had enormous difficulties coming to terms with it’s islamic past and has only recently started acknowledging it. it would make sense that it would shroud tapas in mystery and legend to hide its origins. also (she says with her tongue in cheek) i think spain’s love affair with ham is also connected with their islamic past – a way of proclaiming themselves free of it. 😉
i was at harrods yesterday actually. a friend was in town and we had high tea! heheheehe.
We enjoyed the salt cod & potato cazuela. Also good was the boquerones, avocado & red onion pickle. We were not thrilled with the zucchini roulade with goat cheese, mint & balsamic reduction. The organic strawberries with rose cream was a hit.