Toro, South End, Boston
Cuisine: Spanish inspired Tapas
The décor is very chic and modern and it has a very laid back, yet upbeat vibe. I love the high top bar and tables and I love sharing the high top with other groups of people because it gives off more of a downtown Barcelona vibe. Everyone is of course too close for comfort but something about it is quite nice. Around 7 they dim the lights, creating a more intimidate setting just around the time your buzz starts to come on, as the fantastic mixed drinks, Spanish wines, and Sangria really start flowing.
Side Note: There are a few tables separate from the shared high tops. If you are picky about seating, make sure you are first in line when the doors open around 5 PM. Some people start lining up to put their name in around 4:45 though, so get here as early as possible. This place does not take reservations.
Toro has an AMAZING drink list, simple but unique is what I would call their gin inspired La Barceloneta, their Tinto de verano ( my personal favorite), an easy blend of red wine and lemon soda, and their Calmocho, red wine & cola. Their more interesting, Honey Badger, is a strong but satisfying pick, served as moonshine, aperol & honey. Their sangria is exactly the sangria you would be sipping in the gothic quarter in Barcelona. It is not too sweet, but sweet enough and oh so refreshing.
Their wine list is exceptional for a tapas styled meal, because as you may know wine is the best compliment. Recommended reds include, Torremoron Tempranillo, and Scale dei “Negre” Garnacha. For white, I recommend theTampesta Albarin. They also have cava and a few Rose’s if that’s what you prefer.
As for dishes, they are out of this world. If I could, I would recommend trying all of them but I will narrow it down to the MUST HAVE’s: tortilla espanola, a traditional Spanish omelette made of egg, potato, and onion with alioli, it’s a simple yet tasty dish. Pan con tomate, is another traditional Spanish dish, and Toro does it right with the added sea salt on top of the tomato, garlic, and Spanish olive oil on a piece of bread toasted to perfection. My all-time favorites are the jamon serrano de fermin, this is premium cured Spanish ham and it is to die for, the plate is large and oh- so satisfying, and the maiz asado con alioli y queso. Holy Moly. This dish is heaven in your mouth. Grilled corn on the cob with alioli, lime, pepper, and aged cheese, a full order comes with 4 pieces, so share this, even though you probably won’t want to.
For those who are REALLY looking to try the authentic Spanish dishes, I recommend passing on a few of the smaller plates and sharing the paella Valencia with your significant other. Paella is the most popular of all Spanish dishes. If you are vegetarian, I recommend the paella de Zanahoria, filled with veggies on top of fried egg and Calasparra rice. These are definitely worth trying and waiting a solid 30 minutes for.
Ambiance: A
Menu: A+
Service: A-