Channeling Barcelona

We had a lovely meal last night. It will rank in the Top 10 best meals of all time thanks both to the food and the company.

After an emotional day of marital spats and a visit to the local theatre with our season tickets, we had dinner plans with my husband's Uncle Billy. He is so enjoyable, funny and a pleasure to be with. Uncle Billy officiated our wedding almost nine years ago.

We dined at Mojito's Tapas Restaurant. We've been there before and I've bragged about it before, but tonight we had new dishes and they were scrumptious.

Shall I tease you? I shall.

We were starving so we started with some Queso Fundido: Melted Spanish Tetilla cheese, topped with crispy chorizo and Serrano ham, served with bread, and

Guacamole and Chicharritas: Avocadoes, tomatoes, cilantro, mild roasted Poblano chile, lime juice, red onions served with plantain chips.

Next we thoroughly enjoyed Ensalada Mediterránea: Lettuce, Marcona almonds, pine nuts, shaved fig bread, feta cheese, olives, grapes, raisins, cucumbers with a fig muscatel dressing.

At this point, I've forgotten what order the food came because it was all so good.

Albóndigas – Spanish style meat balls. Ground beef and pork mixed together with spices and cooked in a tomato wine sauce. Best meat balls any of had ever had.

Gambas al Ajillo – Plump shrimp sauteed with garlic, piquillo chile, olive oil and finished with lime juice.

Boniato Frito – Sweet potato fries with smoked honey.

I don't now the authentic names for the next two dishes. I did get a picture (cell phone, not too good) of the dates stuffed with goat cheese and wrapped in applewood bacon.

Flatbread topped with a fig preserve, duck confit, goat cheese, micro greens and manchego cheese.

Sounds like a lot of food, but remember they are tapas so we all shared. There was little left over and we were all pleasantly full, not stuffed. Plus I had two mango margaritas - yum!

My favorite? Chicharritas. I've made fried plantains before sliced like medallions, fried, smashed and fried the second time - they are good. But these were sliced on the length of the plantain super thin and deep fried. They were crispy and a nice mixture of salty and sweet. I will be duplicating these.