Restaurant Name: Barca
Location: NoLita
The Scoop: Cozy Spanish Tapas Restaurant on Mulberry
The Vibe: Barca is in an amaaaazing area to start off. So many cute spots to shop or grab a drink at along the way. Nestled on Mulberry street, this tapas bar and restaurant doesn’t disappoint. If you can - they have a very cute front table that looks out on the street. Prime people watching location. The bar is very beautiful and it has a great atmosphere for a date, a dinner with friends, or just a drink at the bar.
The Grub:
What is fabulous for me is that I have been to Barca twice and have been very very happy with the grub both times. I’m pretty much a Barca expert, so if you need any tips - please let me know. So here is what I have had when I’ve been there (no judgement please): papas bravas, their cheese board, mussels and clams, chopito (squid), and their blue salad.
Papas Bravas - delicious little potatoes, almost like thick french fries without the crisp. Whatever dipping sauce they gave with it was phenomenal, almost like a creamy aioli. Amaze.
Cheese Board: To. Die. For. Great mix of cheeses, with crusty rustic bread, dates, & honey. Obsessed.
Need this right now.
Pisco Mussels & Clams: Absolutely delicious. These had a light but dip-able sauce (a need) that paired with that huge slice of bread perfectly. Don’t worry, we asked for several extra pieces of bread. We don’t believe in wasting broth.
Chopito - so this is basically your next level calamari. Lightly fried and topped with an amazingly flavorful tomato salsa. Unreal. I mean, look at the picture. Fancy calamari.
Blue Salad - this was a surprisingly great mix of flavors. With the blueberry vinaigrette paired with actual blueberries, blue cheese, pink peppercorn, and pine nuts, this was a salad we want to replicate at home. #diy
Food was phenomenal. Paired with drinks - even better.
Beverages:
So, on my first trip to Barca (remember, I’m a Barca connoisseur), we tried out their amazing sangria. With fresh fruit and three types - Rose, White, & Red - it’s hard to say no. We tried the red and the rose - both were amazing, and I’m typically not a sangria fan. Point, Barca.
The best thing that I had at Barca was their Spicy Hibiscus Margarita. Absolutely amazing. I want to say the best cocktail I’ve tasted in the city. Strong statement, I know, but it was absolutely delicious. Spicy and sweet - perfect combintation. Ingredients: Tanteo Jalapeño Tequila, Cointreau, Hibiscus Syrup, Lime, Hibiscus Flower. Done. Deal.
Overall: Barca is a spot you do not want to miss. Delicious drinks, sharable plates, amazing atmosphere, cozy neighborhood - perfection. Don’t miss it.