THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Bar Mercado

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Bar Mercado Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant: Bar Mercado (or "Market Bar") fills a modern designed space that doesn't overemphasize the Spanish theme, although a bull graphic and a guitar are among the items displayed in an overhead "window." A large patio extends the seating area in good weather. When seated, be sure you have all the menus because the Spanish jamón and other cured meats as well as cheeses are on a separate menu.

Food & Drinks: Start this repast authentically with a glass of dry sherry (fino or manzanilla), served well chilled. Both are listed on the dessert wine list. There you'll also find the fine Perucchi vermouth, from Barcelona. The head-on gambas al ajillo (shrimp in garlic sauce) also go with either of these sherries. We enjoyed the berenjena (eggplant) seared and served with a saffron yogurt for a starter. As close to authentic as the gambas is the estofado, here a pork belly and bean stew with potatoes, carrots and Swiss chard. Typically made with beef or "ternera" (veal), the pork belly substitution works well, resulting in a savory braised dish that warms in cold weather. For dessert, there are interpretations of classic Spanish sweet dishes, churros and chocolate (usually an afternoon snack dish) and a version of crema Catalana superimposed on sponge cake are the better options. The wine list is, of course, heavy in Spanish selections, with an emphasis on Spanish reds from around the country. There's even a Spanish beer: Estrella Damm, from Barcelona.