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Boqueria
Nashville’s Newest Tapas Bar
Nashville’s new 5th and Broadway will now be home to Boqueria, a Spanish tapas bar experience. Hailing originally from NYC before breaking out into Chicago and Washington D.C., Boqueria happily finds a new home in Music City, bringing along the tried-and-true menus of its counterparts as well as custom cocktails by Nashville mixologist Demi Natoli.
Speaking of cocktails, I greatly enjoyed tasting my way through a few of them. One highlight was the Field of Flores, comprised of gin, St. Germain, vermut, amaro, and cucumber. The vermut and amaro providing real intrigue in an otherwise predictable drink. Another highlight was the shishito margarita with shishito pepper infused tequila and fresh lime juice, toting just the right amount of spice and a salty savoriness bound to have you ordering round after round. Either drink would be reason enough to visit, especially as the weather warms and the patio facing the historic Ryman opens up.
Photo 1: view as you enter
Photo 2: elevated tables and chairs
The giant leg of Jamón Ibérico is near impossible to miss as you walk into the spacious, yet welcoming restaurant. The tables and chairs are purposefully perched high, placing everyone at eye level. This allows for a helpful view of the guests for the chef in the beautiful open kitchen as well as places server and guest on the same plane. No talking down to tables here.
At the counter in front of the open kitchen (as well as in the dining room), Boqueria offers two tasting menus: The Classics, featuring a traditional Spanish menu chock full of Boqueria favorites and The Boqueria Experience, which offers the additions of seasonal market dishes and their prized 30-month-aged, hand-carved Jamón Ibérico.
I was fortunate to try the croquetas cremosas, creamy truffle croquettes; the albóndigas, lamb meatballs in tomato sauce with sheep’s milk cheese; the tortilla española, traditional Spanish omelet with potatoes and onions; and the dátiles con beicon, dates stuffed with almonds and blue cheese and wrapped in bacon. It’s clear the folks here understand flavor and atmosphere and it’s no wonder why the menu stays the same wherever they go. If I am to judge what the rest of the food is like based on those four small offerings, then all I have to say is: WELCOME TO NASHVILLE Boqueria!
Photo 1: the Field of Flores
Photo 2: shishito margarita
Photo 3: Jamon Iberico plate
Photo 4: tapas
Starting tomorrow, grab some friends and head over for your very own communal tapas experience ala Barcelona. And don’t forget to order a glass of red, white, or rosé sangria or, what the heck, a pitcher.
Boqueria
5005 Broadway Place
Nashville, TN 37203
boqueriarestaurant.com
@boqueria
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