With the reclaimed wooden wall paneling and the black and white photographs faintly illuminated by the dimmed lights, Barcelona creates an immediate sense of intimacy for its patrons.

Barcelona serves tapas, a form of Spanish cuisine that consists of appetizer-sized dishes that together offer customers a wide palette of flavors. The menu is divided into three sections: Meat and Cheese, Tapas, and various pricey entrees. The wonderful thing about tapas is the opportunity to try lots of diverse dishes. However, ordering many dishes can become very expensive very quickly.

Our server, Lynne, acted as a funny and helpful guide to the large menu. She offered valuable recommendations to our group and also explained the idea behind tapas. Unfortunately, her credibility was ruined when she failed to notify a member of our group who had a nut allergy that the Beet and Blackamber Plum Salad contained nuts.

Across the wall behind the large bar at Barcelona is a huge chalkboard covered in menu items, notices of upcoming wine tastings and cooking events and the names of additional drinks being served that night. The chalkboard adds to the rustic feel of the restaurant, which is complemented by the cuisine served.

When our food came, the ceramic dishes and the overall look matched the understated sophistication of the decor. A rosy glow from the small tea candles on our tables made us feel relaxed as we began to explore the collection of dishes before us.

The Grilled Hangar Steak ($9.50) stood out as the crowd favorite. With thin slices of impeccably savory and chewy steak, it was easily the best dish on the menu. Subtle hints of the black truffle vinaigrette were perceptible through the mouthwatering slivers of meat.

Orders from the Meat and Cheese menu arrived on wooden cutting boards that matched Barcelona’s sophistication, but the large size of the boards in comparison to the small food portions made us realize how little food we were truly getting.

Although individual menu items were not expensive, one board of cheese contained only a few slices of jamón and an exotic cheese. To be truly satisfied at the end of this meal, we needed more and more dishes, which added up to a greater and greater bill.

The Mushrooms and Herbed Goat Cheese ($8.50) had an adequate serving size and also incorporated the rustic yet refined feel of the restaurant. The dish fused flavors that were sophisticated, complex and unique. Combining the flavorful mushroom toppings with the warm, smooth cheese allowed us to fully enjoy the smoky flavor of this dish.

Barcelona not only prepares classic Spanish cuisine, but also offers sophisticated twists on comfort food. The Truffled “Bikini” ($8.50) is a grilled cheese sandwich containing Jamón Serrano, a type of cured Spanish ham, and a creamy truffle sauce on top. The cheese and ham melted together in my mouth to blend creamy texture with salty taste.

Not every dish was a hit, as some lacked cohesiveness and creativity. While the Beet and Blackamber Plum Salad ($6.00) consisted of goat cheese, beets and plums, the only memorable flavor was the delicious sweet cheese. The beets and plum pieces were cut into unappealing chunks and thrown together with walnuts. While other dishes were beautifully plated and easy to eat, this dish simply did not adhere to that standard of excellence.

Altogether, we had a great time eating at Barcelona. The loud and warm atmosphere encouraged laughter and fun as we sat eating flavorful food. Unfortunately, Barcelona’s mouthwatering tapas will leave you wanting more and more, so be prepared to empty your wallet for these delectable dishes!

Aria Wong can be contacted at [email protected]