by erin thursby scopes1925@msn.com
There are some eateries that just invite conversation and camaraderie, whether it be the cook-it-yourself fun of fondue, the simultaneously comforting and exotic atmosphere of a hookah bar or, in the case of the Tasting Room, a tapas bar where appetizers with a Spanish finesse are perfectly paired with fine wines.
The Tasting Room is marvelous for a romantic meal or as a place to take a large group. Either way, the place seems to encourage a slow meal and a sense of fun. Service is quick enough, but you’ll want to savor each tapas course and the wine you select.
You can be seated in four different areas: a private party room towards the back, the general dining area with a yellow rose at each table, red napkins and dark wood tables, the lounge, complete with comfy retro couches, or take a seat out on the patio.
Although wines are the stars of the drink list, there is a beer list available for the wine-shy. Even those who aren’t particularly fond of wine should give the Tasting Room’s wine selections a try. The wait staff knows their pairings and can give you the perfect complement to each tapas platter you sample, heightening the flavor of both the food and the wine.
By the time you finish sampling their tapas and sipping wines, you too will believe that entrées are overrated. If you crave a full meal though, you can opt for the entradas.
We began the evening with something from the bocadillos section, which consists of petite snacks to whet the appetite. These range in price from $4 (curried yucca chips) to $10 (stuffed Spanish olives and roasted marcona almonds.)
If you don’t speak Spanish, the menu headings will need a little explanation. Fortunately, the servers are equipped to explain each dish and if they don’t know a minute detail, they aren’t afraid to go to the chef and ask.
In the next section, under tablas, we indulged in the well-balanced flavor of the marinated Manchego cheese and olives. Manchego cheese is a sheep’s cheese, exported exclusively from the La Mancha area of Spain. The flavor of Manchego can vary according to the age of the cheese, from mild to tangy. This particular Manchego seemed to be fairly young, with a subtle but complex flavor, coaxed to fullness by the taste of the wine and the contrast of the olives.
Under pinchos (foods on skewers), we were caught by the bold flavor of the sweet grilled lobster paired with jamón Serrano, a dry-cured Spanish ham similar to prosciutto. The flavor of high-quality Serrano can be saltier and more intense than prosciutto, and the Tasting Room uses excellent ingredients.
We had an incredible salad experience. Those who haven’t had grilled romaine lettuce simply need to try it at the Tasting Room. The smoky flavor coupled with the crisp lettuce will leave you thinking about their salad for days. Ours was topped with roasted red peppers, onions, pine nuts, chives, a sherry cream sauce and delectable little anchovies. (For those nay-sayers who think they don’t like anchovies, I challenge you to try this salad.)
For a little of everything, you might want to try the Chef’s Daily Flights, which features a selection of three mini-appetizers. It runs about $20 but you’ll get an adventure in taste. We sampled a mini-dish of pan-seared scallops with an amazing corn ragu flavored by the Serrano ham, a tender, flake-to-the fork mahi-mahi on a bed of exquisite lentils, and a grilled quail paired with roasted paprika potatoes.
By the time you reach dessert, you may be too full to go on. Desserts aren’t a main focus of the menu, but they do have an authentic Spanish style that is rare in North Florida. Ask for the dessert menu at the end of your meal, which suggests wines to pair with each dessert.
It’s rare to find a “tapas” bar or eatery that sticks to traditional fine Spanish cuisine and ingredients, so I was happy to find this tesoro España. Many of the ingredients that are part of the tapas selections at the Tasting Room are exclusively made in Spain, including the Manchego cheese and the Serrano ham. If you’re into adventurous cuisine, you just might experience flavors at the Tasting Room that you’ve never had before, but if you love to indulge in the classics, these flavors won’t all be unfamiliar.
25 Cuna Street, St. Augustine, FL (904) 810-2400
Cost $$$$
Cost Guide
$ = under ten dollars for a single person
$$ = over ten to twenty for a single person
$$$ = over twenty to thirty-five for a single person
$$$$ = thirty-five and up for a single person
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EU Critic’s Choice Awards
