Category Archives: Basque

Columbia Restaurant

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**** (4 stars)

This location features a beautiful interior design, much nicer than the original in Ybor City, and yet retaining the feel of a place that’s withstood the decades (and I guess it’s almost 20 years old, now that I think about it).

The food is the same as at the other Columbia restaurants, which is to say rich. A good third of the dishes include chorizo, and many are casseroles with no small amount of butter. So it’s not light dining! But it is tasty.

My favorite dish was the scallops, although the empanadas and quest funded were also good. The 1905 salad is also tasty, but ask them to go light on the dressing.

Service is best described as bustling and well-intentioned, perhaps not quite fine dining caliber, but certainly appropriate to the always busy atmosphere.

There is an extensive wine list that is not offered by default, so if you’re interested in Spanish wines be sure to ask for it, as there are many high end selections at reasonable prices.

Columbia Restaurant
649 Front St
Celebration, FL 34747
(407) 566-1505
http://www.yelp.com/biz/columbia-restaurant-celebration

Ceviche Tapas Bar & Restaurant

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**** (4 stars)

I’ve been to the Ceviche in Orlando many times, so it was interesting to contrast this St. Pete location, which has a great setting, elevated one story above the waterfront area. Service was pleasant, and there is a nice offering of wines.

We were there on a Sunday for lunch, and I was a bit disappointed at the absence of the extensive small plates menu I’m used to. To me tapas should be more about many tiny tastes, rather than slightly larger and more limited offerings. But I assume in the evening the menu is like the one we’re accustomed to.

Ceviche Tapas Bar & Restaurant
10 Beach Dr NE
Saint Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 209-2299
http://www.yelp.com/biz/ceviche-tapas-bar-and-restaurant-saint-petersburg

Txokos

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**** (4 stars)

Orlando needs more restaurants with great ambience, and Txokos certainly leads the pack. The main dining room with its wood grill and chef’s bar seating are particularly nice, and the subdued Euro-inspired soundtrack is perfect.

All of the food we had was good, but several items were particularly noteworthy, and they weren’t necessarily the ones we’d have guessed. Standouts were the manchego cheese and figs on skewers and the grilled spring onions. Both were reasonably priced, in contrast to the expensive and uninspired charcuterie plate.

There are some excellent Spanish wines on the list, including a very reasonably priced Tondonia Rioja.

Service was very attentive, and there are a nice assortment of sherries and other Spanish libations by the glass.

Txokos
3201 Corrine Dr
Orlando, FL 32804
(321) 972-8852
http://www.yelp.com/biz/txokos-orlando-2

Tapas Barcelona

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**** (4 stars)

This is very authentic tapas. In fact, except that the plates are larger, it is extremely similar to Tapa Tapa in Barcelona. I tried the ceviche, the asparagus, the grilled squid and the grilled mussels. The ceviche was my favorite. It’s a fully cooked version, and the shrimp and squid were tender, and the diced peppers and onions nicely marinated. The grilled mussels, served like fajitas, were also good.

The wine pours are a bit small for the price, but the dessert coffees at $3.95 make up for it. Try the Matador, which has Spanish vanilla liqueur in it.

Service is a bit uneven, but if you’re not in a hurry that’s okay. The place is very busy; it was packed on the Tuesday night I went, so that could account for it. The outside dining area is very nice on a warm evening.

Tapas Barcelona
1615 Chicago Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 866-9900
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tapas-barcelona-evanston