Talk to me about tapas

[frenchfancy]

What is good, what is not so good. What is the etiquette? Do you order all at once or a little at a time? How many dishes each?

We are going to Spain at half term. We've been to Catalonia before but tapas isn't such a big thing there so we didn't really try it. I've been to one place in Barcelona but it was very touristy and I'm not sure it was the real deal.

Anyone?

Not sure when we have had it, it just keeps coming until you have had enough.

We usually ask the waiter how many dishes they recommend and then choose a good variety, it's a relaxed thing...dishes come to the table when they are ready rather than all at once.

Thanks. It just seems so different to the normal starter, main dessert I'm used to. Any recommendations as to what is worth looking out for? I love chorizo, and peppers so those are a given.

I love tapas! Faves are Ablondigas (sp? meatballs in sauce), calamari (you can get deep fried or grilled), croquettas (ham or salt cod filling),pescos fritos (small whole deep fried fish), octopus, pimentos de padron (small whole green peppers), and classics like patatas bravas, Russian salad, tortilla (Spanish omlette). And lovely cold meats and cheeses (Serrano ham, manchego) too.

Spanish people eat late (after 9). I love doing a tapas crawl, going to a few places and having a drink and ordering one or two tapas in each place. See what others are eating or ask for recommendations.

Dreaming of tapas now...

I think the good thing about ordering small dishes is that you can be a bit more adventurous than you normally would, once mistake is only a small bit of your meal iykwim. So we avoid getting Patatas bravas etc because we know what they taste like....we looking for and ask about house specialities...regional dishes etc. Very similar way of eating to mezze, Indian banquet, buffet, picnic so maybe more familiar than you first imagine.

I love the idea of a tapas crawl, but we will have the 3 DCs so probably not practical. But they love meatballs so I'll definitely look out for Ablondigas.