Despite being next to a small pizza chain in a Publix strip mall, La Terraza Tapas & Bar instantly transports you to Spain. Its brick barrel ceiling, moody lighting, crimson walls and wooden furniture create a charming rustic aesthetic reminiscent of a Spanish taverna. The husband-and-wife duo, Carlos and Lynn, opened this tapas restaurant late last year, gaining a loyal following thanks to chef Carlos’ talent for crafting his homeland’s beloved shareable plates and Lynn’s warm hospitality.
I love family-style meals where I can try several small dishes without being rolled out of the restaurant, so Spanish tapas tops my list of favorite cuisines. The wine menu and draft beers are Spanish-focused, but there’s also a full bar with Spanish-inspired cocktails. We ordered all the tapas at once, and while I appreciated the kitchen’s speed, they all came out at the same time. I’d suggest either ordering in phases or asking your waiter to course them out.
There are my go-to tapas that I always order. One of them is a tabla, a plate of mixed cheese, meat and small appetizers that are perfect for starting a meal. For example, the Tabla Terraza ($18.95) came with the customary Jamón Ibérico and nutty Manchego cheese (aged six months), along with green olives, pan con tomate and tortilla. Ripe grated tomatoes are smeared onto a soft, warm piece of toast, which I appreciated for not cutting the roof of my mouth. The tortilla is another classic tapa with omelet-like qualities that was the perfect consistency and balance of egg and potatoes.
We also ordered the Croquetas de Jamón ($15.95), Camarones Ajillo ($19.95) and Pulpo Gallega ($25.95). I enjoyed the plump ham croquettes with wonderfully crisp exteriors, which I dipped into the tangy caper aioli. The sizable shrimp in their brown ceramic bowl emanated a savory garlic aroma that was just as flavorful. The octopus, prepared in the Galician style, was paper-thin, tender and served with a dusting of paprika. It’s simply prepared but expertly executed. Wanting to try something unusual, we ordered the Berenjena con Queso ($16.95). The eggplant, lightly breaded and rolled around a mixture of goat cheese and Jamón Ibérico, is topped with a tomato paprika sauce. Each bite offers a savory blend of eggplant and ham with hints of creamy sweet cheese.
We ended the meal with a traditional Basque Cheesecake ($12). This airier version of its New York counterpart, with its tawny hue, wasn’t as smooth as others I’ve had; instead, it offered a crumbly blend of cake and cheesecake textures. However, it was moist and not overly sweet, which I appreciated.
La Terraza authentically embraces Spanish tapas in a satisfying way. You won’t regret visiting this family-owned restaurant whether you’re looking for a quick, light bite or if you want to linger over a bottle of Spanish wine while a guitarist serenades you.
IF YOU GO
21170 St. Andrews Blvd., Boca Raton; 561/576-3040
PARKING: Lot parking
HOURS: Monday – Thursday, 4 – 10 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, noon – 11 p.m.; Sunday, noon – 9:30 p.m.
PRICES: $10.95 – $65.95
WEBSITE: laterrazatapas.com
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