Nestled just off the University of Illinois at Chicago campus, La Taberna Tapas serves items with Mediterranean influencesand there isn't a bad item in the bunch.
Executive chef Enrique Cortes has done himself proud with a variety of savory items under a multitude of classifications. Zarzuela is a seafood stew with shrimp, squid and mussels in tomato-seafood broth; it's a tastyand spicydish. Cold tapas include pan con tomate ( herbed crostinis with tomato, Serrano ham and Manchego cheese ) and pollo al curry ( chicken breast with yellow curry ) . Among the hot tapas are the must-haves queso de cabra ( baked goat cheese, tomato-basil sauce and truffle oil ) and patatas bravas ( spicy potatoes with aioli ) . The empanadas de picadillo ( ground-beef turnovers with raisins, queso fresco and chile ancho sauce ) are sublime, while the croquetas de pollo ( chicken croquettes served with chipotle aioli ) are amazing as well.
If you're in the mood for mariscos, or seafood dishes, La Taberna has plenty of tasty items. The pulpo a la plancha ( grilled octopus with roasted potato, paprika and almond pesto ) is highly recommended; the octopus is not excessively chewy, as has been the case in other places Dish List has visited. La Taberna also has dishes with sauteed shrimp, grilled calamari, salted cod and bay scallops.
As if that's not enough, La Taberna offers various paellas, including a vegetarian version.
Regarding drinks, one item to try is the sangria flight, which consists of sangria Catalana ( white citrus sangria with lavender, served with marinated apples and oranges ) , sangria brava ( a spicy drink with jalapeno-infused tequila ) and sangria La Taberna ( a red sangria flavored with ginger, blueberries, orange and cinnamon ) . Other drinks include lime in the coconut, margarita de Dona Inez ( with pineapple-infused tequila ) and kiwi-lychee batida.
The restaurant now offers weekend brunch. You'll find the standard items such as oatmeal and French toast. However, La Taberna also has very unique items such as huevos motulenos and tortilla espanola ( Spanish omelet ) .
By the way, La Taberna offers plenty of specials, such as five tapas for $25 ( minimum: two guests ) on Fridays. However, any night you go is going to be a good one. By the way, the staff is among the friendliest Dish List has encounteredincluding energetic hostess Jade and hunky server Victor.
Dish List really loves La Tabernaand plans on returning very soon.
La Taberna Tapas is located at 1301 S. Halsted. See latabernatapas.com for more information.
La Taberna Tapas photos by Jerry Nunn