Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Barcelona Wine Bar

Went to check out a wine bar around Montrose.
This was located on Westheimer near Shepherd.  This space used to be an antique furniture shop.


They serve Happy Hour 4-6p but sad to say, there's not too many specials to make HH worthwhile.

Best thing on that list was the seasoned Marcona Almonds.  They are good with a beverage.  The name of the game here is tapas, but if you're hungry enough, they do have large plate to cure your tummy.

I did a mocktail version of Bees and Bays, that works out because that's the lowest alcohol content out of their list anyhow.  It has lime, salted honey (never had that before), and sparkling water.  They skipped the bitters.  But this is one of the few mocktails that are not sweet.  Most people's version of a mocktail is mojito with no alcohol, but what you really get is a bunch of sugar.

Our server recommended the Spinach Chickpea Cazuela, they mushed the chickpeas and added to the spinach, it has an added texture.  Not as thick like a casserole as he described but it's not a bad filler tapas type dish.

Of course there's the Patata Brava - we just had that over at MAD.  I think the taste here is less intense.  It's more mild, good flavoring and not super overwhelming spicy.  Though I did feel like we were over drowned in aioli sauce.

This is Crispy Brussels Sprouts - definitely is crispy with a hint of lemon vinaigrette and you can see a little pepper there, but it's not spicy.

Got the Beef Empanadas as the server recommended, and it comes with red tomato sauce, which feel like the ones you add on pizza but with a little bit more texture.  Inside is all ground beef, definitely super filling. 

Grilled Pulpo - octopus and over potato. It has mojo rojo sauce which goes well together.  I do love the flavor and not too chewy and even the manager was recommending it.  It was not gamey, which means it's still fresh, and the flavoring is good.  Comes to find out the chef is also a fishing hobbiest and what's great about them, is that they would know how to treat/cook seafood.

Overall the food is not bad, if you're here to drink and eat, I think you can definitely order more.  But at best, 2-3 dishes per person is a good mark.  Then you share can maybe do one more here and there.  That said, they have steak dishes, paella, and salad on the menu.  

Parking, there are street parking around the area, but if you're familiar, you need some patience for that.  If you valet, the cost is $5 per car, so bring some change. 

Barcelona Wine Bar
1731 Westheimer Rd
Houston, TX 77098
713-878-3355

 

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