Now open in Bethesda is TapaBar, a classic upscale casual Spanish cuisine restaurant and bar. TapaBar brings the traditional, casual Spanish tapas experience to Bethesda with a fresh modern twist. The brainchild of brothers Alonso and Alvaro Roche focuses on premium ingredients and in-house preparation.
“Our goal is to allow customers to have a full meal and 1 or 2 glasses of wine, while keeping the tab below $50,” explains Chef Alonso Roche. The menu features a delectable selection of tapa-sized meats, breads and vegetables ranging in price from $3.50 – $11. On it you will find such delicacies as tartare (toasted bread, smoky beef tartar, fried quail egg and truffle oil), mushroom croquettes, roasted cauliflower and piquillo puree and grilled christorra sausage.
Not to be outdone are the cocktails. Chef Roche presents a robust menu of gin and infused homemade tonics, signature Sangria recipes and Spanish wines that pair perfectly with the tapa selections.
TapaBar’s interior is very inviting. A communal high top sits in front of a spacious bar allowing a birds eye view of the entire restaurant. It’s great place to mingle with friends, enjoy a couple of cocktails and sample several of the restaurant’s tasty tapas. In the back, the dining area has more of a home feel than basic restaurant dining. Tbe tabletops are made of multi-color butcher-block wood and chairs are midcentury modern and there is a cozy banquette along the back wall complete with comfy pillows.
The restaurant is located at 4901 A Fairmont Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814. Happy hour is Monday through Friday 4 – 6:30pm. The restaurant is open every day except Sundays. For reservations and more information visit http://www.tapabarbethesda.com.
