For a couple of weeks I noticed the big yellow sign on the East side of Dale Mabry as I drove home. VIZCAYA… Restaurante & Tapas Bar. Interesting, I thought. Then one of my compadres gave me a thumbs-up on the place. Turns out that the former Maison Basque folks were behind this new restaurant. That did it for me, because I loved Maison Basque and grieved its departure.

The next Saturday night George and I took my mom and step-father to Vizcaya right at 5:30 p.m, when they open for dinner. I thought it wouldn’t be crowded then. Wrong!

What’s a tapa? Me: Honey, we need to go check out that new tapas bar on Dale Mabry. George: (looking hopeful) Topless bar? Me: (laughing) No, silly, tapas bar. George: (looking crestfallen) Oh.... Now, what is that, again? Me: Glad you asked! I was not at all sure that tapa was even a word, without the “s,” because it’s always said “tapas bar”. The translation of tapas is “bar snacks.” Good King Alfonso X the “Wise” of Spain decreed that nowhere in the kingdom would wine be served, unless accompanied by tapas, so that the wine would not cloud people’s judgment. Wise king, indeed. And what a pleasant dining experience resulted.

Apparently, Vizcaya had already obtained quite a following, so service was spotty. But the food was terrific, and, after all, that’s the main reason you go to any restaurant.

Our guests ordered the Paella Valenciana, large enough for two. It boasted shrimp, scallops, calamari, clams, mussels and chicken. What a feast! But, in addition, there was half a lobster on top. All this for just $24.00.

George ordered Merluza, a favorite Spanish fish stuffed with lobster in three sauces: he liked it very much, $21.00. I tried Zarzuela de Mariscos which translates to lobster and a variety of other shellfish in lobster sauce. Delicious, and only $24.00. We also opted for a small dinner salad each, ahead of the entrees, for just $3.00. This is dressed with an excellent Dijon mustard dressing.

Because we were trying to make a performance, we decided not to go for dessert, though the selection was tempting. Another time!

That other time came just a week later, when I persuaded a group of girlfriends to have lunch there. You can make reservations for six or more; we qualified. Lunches are $9.00 to $12.00. There’s a wide selection of entrees. My vegetarian friends chose the Paella, customized to the veggie palate. Someone had pan-fried grouper with capers and lemon butter sauce. Two others chose from the tapas menu a cold shrimp and avocado with sherry wine vinaigrette.

This time we sampled a dessert: Anissette Roasted Apple Flan, $7.00. Outstanding. One of the women had sampled the Crème Brulee earlier, and proclaimed it worthy of praise.

Next time I’d like to have an all-tapas dinner, passing the small dishes around the table. A wide variety is available, hot and cold, at least twenty, for $6.00 to $9.00 each. If we’re not rushed, we can sample wines, as well.

- by Sandra Harrington