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Mexican Lifestyles Food & Dining DINING OUT: Eating Spanish By The Mall: Las Tapas De Ronda
Mexican Lifestyles Food & Dining DINING OUT: Eating Spanish By The Mall: Las Tapas De Ronda | DINING OUT: Eating Spanish By The Mall: Las Tapas De Ronda |
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| Written by MICHAEL SHAPIRO | |
| Saturday, 24 June 2006 | |
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So many times I have racked my brain to suggest a good place to grab a bite and maybe a drink before a movie at Centro Magno. Or, maybe more importantly, after a movie – in the late evening when so many nearby places have closed. I'm talking about a place with good food – preferably good enough to remove the nasty aftertaste of the Hollywood fluff I've just imbibed.
Guadalajara, Jal. Just half a block away, on the same side of Avenida Vallarta, sits an inviting little tapas and wine bar, tucked underneath the Moralva Suites hotel. Here exists that not uncommon Guadalajara problem in which an otherwise cozy patio sits only steps away from a major thoroughfare, but Tapas de Ronda has a hip allure that belies its roadside proximity. It's set back just enough from the street, and the kitchen and restaurant proper actually sit below street level. There are a handful of tables on that kitchen level, but trendy decor and a glass-encased wine cellar give it all a polished appearance. Likewise, the patio is furnished with comfortable lounge-like furniture. Aside from the slightly cheapening glow of the backlit restaurant sign on the lower level, Las Tapas de Ronda has made the most out their little roadside nook. A welcoming lounge would be reason enough for a pre- or post-Cinepolis drink, but the real story here is the authenticity and exquisiteness of the Spanish food. A short list of chef's suggestions – both appetizers and entrees – changes weekly, but if tapas are your preference then the booklet of a menu offers plenty from which to choose. Las Tapas de Ronda opened in November, and the menu was developed and prepared by a Barcelona chef who left Guadalajara in March. But according to manager Mercedes Jové, who was born to Spaniards herself, the current, Mexican chef trained under the initial one, and has an excellent aptitude for the art of Spanish cooking. I'm in no position to argue. My beloved dining companion and I are always eager to re-create the good parts of our culinary adventure through Spain, and Las Tapas de Ronda exceeded our expectations. Our two favorite tapas from our first visit were the snack of brie cheese, date, and bacon (30 pesos) and the grilled eggplant with tahini sauce (30 pesos). We learned in Spain that most things are better when wrapped with a thin slice of bacon; when those things are dates and brie, the exquisite combination of smoky, sweet and creamy is a culinary journey with every bite. The tender eggplant slices were also memorable, particularly because of the rich tahini accompaniment, noteworthy for its lemony punch. Also quite pleasing were the Montadito de Solomillo de cerdo y manzana (30 pesos), tiny open-faced sandwiches of juicy pork slices with apple compote and orange marmalade (the orange really took charge over the apple, however – I'd have liked a little more of the latter), and the garbanzos con chorizo ($40). That last one was thick and comforting but lacked the flash of the others; still, one generally can't go wrong with pork and beans. We sampled a couple of different wines by the glass, and I enthusiastically recommend one that wasn't on the menu: Beronia Crianza, a complex, slightly woody Spanish red (45 pesos). For dessert, the alluringly spelled mousse de xocolate (40 pesos) was good but lacked zip; the Crema de Catalán (30 pesos), however, was fantastic – the best I've had since Catalonia. Las Tapas de Ronda, Av. Vallarta 2477, Col. Arcos Vallarta, Guadalajara. Tel: (33) 3615-0288. Open Monday-Saturday 1 pm - 1 am. Live music Monday-Wednesday 2:30 - 4:30 pm and Wednesday-Saturday 9-11 pm. |
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