THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Pura Vida Latino Tapas & Bar

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Pura Vida Latino Tapas & Bar Restaurant Review:

Chef-owner Hector Santiago, who hails from Puerto Rico, and his wife Leslie, who manages the front of the house, present a wide variety of intriguing dishes reflecting the flavors of the Hispanic world. Ingenuity and interpretation rather than rote mimicry are the hallmarks of this highly personal cuisine. Imaginative small plates foster sharing, such as a pair of chorizo- and cheese-stuffed empanadas or herbed purple Peruvian olives. Grilled shrimp are to be wrapped in tortillas, with ample crunch supplied by the crispy shrimp heads. Sautéed mushrooms in spicy, garlicky oil are as Spanish as it gets. The standout (despite lacking the usual rice) Burgos-style morcilla is made in-house, along with other cured meats. Santiago also makes all his own breads. For a sweet capstone, sample the churros and chocolate, even though classically it's just for "merienda," the Spanish version of tea. The wine list relies on Spanish, Argentinean and Chilean selections for the most part, with plenty of food-appropriate choices by the glass. Nothing in Atlanta captures the feel of an authentic Spanish tapas bar like Pura Vida.