2207 Allen St.
214.720.0324
Who to know: Who doesn’t miss the little
tapas bar Hola!? Fret no more, as Hola! owner Ildefonso Jimenez has opened another tapas hot spot featuring the
same family recipes he learned to cook in Madrid. While Hola! had a
limited menu, this new eatery has plenty of choices.
From my
notebook: No one would recognize the former Watel’s cottage — it has gone to Spain
with a coat of red paint, tables covered in butcher paper and a wall of wines
… Instead of having to pre-order paella a day in advance like the olden days
at Hola!, you can now have it every night at Si … The arroz blanco
al ajillo con salsa de tomate y huevo frito — you guessed it: white rice with
garlic tomato sauce and fried eggs ($4.50) — is a must-order comfort dish … I was happy to see the
crowd-pleasing pollo en cerveza (salted chicken in beer sauce, $5) on
the menu again … Loved
executive chef Jose Lopez’
stylish mohawk … House drinks are festive: Order them by the pitcher.
Choose from Echegaray (cava, 10 Cane
Rum and lime roses), sangria, or Agua de Valencia (cava, 10 Cane Rum and orange juice) … Don’t ask for iced tea, as
they don’t serve it … Grab a table on the front patio or in the backyard
by the greenbelt, with the amazing view of downtown.