Barcelona Wine Bar

UPDATE: 3 Stars.

So, I had to make a few more trips over here and bring some more friends to sample more of the menu and the results were pretty positive. There were 2 major dishes I had to try... Of course, the paella and the whole roasted piggy. Remember, the more people you have, the more you'll be able to enjoy the large selection of tapas. Lookie here...

(Sunday Whole Pig Roast)

Nice display of meat. It was a tad dry and chewy but overall, it was not too shabby. Available on Sunday only... Plus, all wines are half off. Fuck, you know I'm there.

(Paella)

This was the paella for two. Look at the size of that friggin thing! So glad we got the "small" order. While it didn't disappoint in portion control, the paella lacked that oh-so-important "socarrat" or the crispy rice on the bottom of the pan. While there were hints of it in there, they just couldn't fully do it properly in that busy kitchen (lack of burner space). But overall, it's one of the better versions in this town. Is it worth $50 for the 2 person minimum order? I think so because you can feed 6 with that pan.

(Monkfish a la Kiosko)

This was a fun little dish. I love monkfish... It may be the ugliest fucking thing in the sea but this "poor man's lobster" was pretty tasty.

(Ham & Cheese Croquetas)

Cute and tasty. I dared a chick to put one in each cheek but she had a chorizo in her mouth already. Party pooper.

(Fluke Ceviche)

This dish coulda been 10 times better if they didn't flood the plate with a gallon of EVOO. The oil masked the natural flavor of the crudo instead of enhancing it. It was fine but make sure you ask them to go light on the olive oil.

(Crispy Brussels Sprouts)

Who doesn't love roasted brussels sprouts. Good stuff.

(Grilled Hanger Steak w/ Black Truffle Sauce)

Grilled spot on. Order it... It has truffle sauce. Yeah. c'mon.

(Gambas al Ajillo)

Awesome sizzling big shrimpz. Fuck Red Lobster.

(Homemade Empanadas w/ Cumin Scented Chicken, Avocado )

Eh, the only disappointment of the pack. Just didn't have any discernible flavor. Boring at best for something that is usually oh-so tasty.

(Side Salad)

What is this? I'm still trying to figure it out.

(Crepas Salguero)

It's a thin pancake with chocolate sauce. Squirt.

(Churros)

Ok, so there was a cooking malfunction on the first try. There was parchment paper inside one of the churros. C'mon, you're gonna kill somebody!!! Luckily, my friend saw it and started to dissect it and made the discovery. Oh, the first batch was a very sad display visually, thin, limp and lifeless. But the replacement order came out almost as lovely as I remembered the first time I had it... It was a tad undercooked this time. I still think it's one of the best churros in town but when they get it right it's the best in town.

This is a fun place to go with a bunch of friends to drink and of course nibble on the extensive list of tapas. Not all the dishes work but if you choose wisely, you and your friends will eat well and be stuffed like a fat chick home alone in the end.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wow, what a change for the better from that outhouse, Zaya... This new semi-authentic tapas wine bar franchise dumped a shitload of cash into this space. And it looks pretty friggin amazing. Covered in basically all wood inside, it kinda reminded me of a really hip spot in EVill, NYC... But instead of Korean Fried Chicken, you have a huge selection of tapas offerings to nosh on. The outside patio has these tiny stools and tables fit for a hobbit. It's usable but after awhile, your ass is so numb it feels like you just got violated by the Hells Angels. The fire place is also a nice touch for the chillier days.

When Sunday nights are dead for most restos, this joint was packed like it was a Friday or Saturday night. Could it be the half off bottles of wine, any bottle... Ah, yeah, I'd say so. But how's the food (tapas)? Looking through the menu, I saw a lot of promising dishes such as the Parrillada, an Argentine mixed grill of pork chop, half chicken, Gaucho sausage, N.Y. strip, papas fritas and chimichurri... Or the hard to get right, Paella with saffron rice, chicken, squid, shrimp, chorizo, clams & mussels. The Monkfish a la Kiosko looked interesting as well. Since, I ate dinner earlier already, a few tapas plates would be a better gauge of what the kitchen can do (yeah, I know I'm a fat fuck, get over it, I did).

(Gambas al Ajillo)

Nicely sauteed shrimp but needed more seasoning. Came out sizzling hot, so eat them quick or else they get rubbery.

(Chorizo with Sweet & Sour Figs)

Looks really depressing doesn't it? It tasted better than it looked... But not by much. Chorizo were ok, not much flavor but the figs gave it that extra kick in the taste budz.

(Steak Paillard)

This brought up a very emotional event... It reminded me of that hellacious Steak Frites at Buckhead Bottle Bar with the fries piled high atop the meat flap. But this tasted 100 times better... Even though it was over cooked a bit. This is a thin piece of meat, don't need to cook it to death. Oooh, lookie, potato sticks!

(Spinach-Chickpea Casserole)

Ewww, what is that? Looks like a warm bucket of hamster vomit. Stir it up and it doesn't look as bad. It tasted alright but you need veggies from time to time... Mebbe I shoulda ordered a Congress approved veggie like pizza instead. That's one tasty veggie the obese American people can get behind.

(Pulpo Gallego)

Octopus and fingerling "potaotes" is always an good idea but oh, Lord, looks like the Devil regurgitated this thing on a plate. Bon appetit!

(Albondigas)

Who doesn't like to stuff balls of meat in their cheeks... I does for one cuz I'm like a chipmunk. These were ok, kinda bland and dry but the tomato sauce helped a little. It's not that difficult to season your balls with herbs and spices... It will do wonders for your sex life.

(Churros)

These churros rocked out with its cock out... Literally. Like in Boiler Room, "Act as if... You had a 9 inch cock". It was a pail of three healthy schlongs, if they served this at Swinging Richards, they would be packed every night... No pun intended but totally feasible. Go ahead use your imagination. But these churros were fried to order, plump, crispy and airy inside like a pillow... Possibly the best churros in town. These imprinted on me like Jacob imprinted on Renesmee.

Barcelona Wine Bar is an instant hit with Atlanta... Why? Because this town needed it. There are other tapas joints that's been around town for awhile but they don't have the whole package like this place. It's amazing how a little change in appearance and food offerings can bring in the crowds. Or maybe it was just the good wine deal on Sundays (I sure took advantage of that liberally). The menu might be a little too ambitious for this crew and space. There were some hits and misses because there is just too much going on. For me, I would like to see them reduce the menu down by half and really put out consistent dishes one after another. Who knows and who cares if they do or not but I'll be back to try the mains and hopefully they will make me soil my pants. If the paella blows balls, there will be hell to pay.

Good first date, hopefully an even better second one.

Squirt.

2.5 Stars.

240 N. Highland Ave, bld 2
Atlanta, GA 30307
404-589-1010
http://www.barcelonawinebar.com/atlanta.htm