Tap into tapas at Tapas Valencia in Bloomingdale
Foodies and picky eaters can always find common ground at a Spanish tapas restaurant.
The beauty of tapas lies in the sample-size dishes of meats, seafood, cheeses and rice that allow everyone at the table to share with friends.
Tapas Valencia in Bloomingdale built its menu around this idea, pricing each dish reasonably enough that you can order one, two -- or four -- plates and still not break the bank.
With its mosaic-style walls, tasty goat cheese and sweet sangria (both defining staples at any tapas spot), this restaurant brings variety to the Italian-heavy dining options in the Bloomingdale area.
But to find out how Tapas Valencia stands up to other Spanish-style restaurants, we asked three readers to taste-test their favorite items on the menu. Here's their take:
Name: Patrick Logan
Age: 24
Hometown: Barrington
What I ordered: Grilled lamb loin, $10.50, and beef tenderloin kebab, $5.50
Taste and presentation: I thought the way the food was arranged on the plate was elegant, for lack of a better word.
The beef tenderloin was little bland but decent overall, while the lamb was really good. This dish tasted very fresh, and the sauces complemented it well.
Atmosphere and service: For a Tuesday night, I thought the atmosphere was fine and very low-key. The decor and music all complement this type of restaurant.
The service wasn't bad, but wasn't eye-popping -- they were there when they needed them and gone when we didn't. I thought they did a very adequate job.
Good if you want … a semi-casual authentic restaurant with good service and tasty dishes.
Name: TJ Danhelka
Age: 25
Hometown: St. Charles
What I ordered: Roasted dates, $5.95, and filet mignon, $16.95
Taste and presentation: They could have done a better job at dressing the plate, as everything was just kind of thrown on.
Both dishes were flavorful but could have used a little more seasoning. The filet was also a bit overcooked but still tender.
Overall, however, the meal was good.
Atmosphere and service: Our service was above average, although our waiter did have to ask for our order a second time. And the atmosphere in the restaurant was cozy.
Good if you want … a quiet evening away from home enjoying foreign cuisine.
Name: Kristina Lipskis
Age: 24
Hometown: St. Charles
What I ordered: Grilled tiger shrimp, $7.25, and vegetarian paella, $9.95
Taste and presentation: I had never tried paella before and, while it was different than I thought, it was good. It was more of a casserole than I anticipated, and I thought it would be more centered on the rice.
The shrimp was also good and presented very well. The sauce was light enough not to overpower the taste.
Atmosphere and service: I loved the decorations inside and very much loved the Spanish tiling.
Our service was very prompt and everything came out of the kitchen in pretty timely manner. They were very good about refilling drinks.
Good if you want … to try a bunch of different types of food and sample off of other people's plates. This is perfect if you're that person who is always indecisive.
Tapas Valencia
Where: 241 E. Lake St., Bloomingdale, (630) 582-1500, tapasvalencia.com
Cuisine: Spanish
Hours: 5 to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 5 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 4 to 9 p.m. Sundays.
Meals served: Dinner
Alcohol: More than 60 draft and bottled beers, wines, martinis and specialty drinks; drink specials vary daily
Accepts: Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover
Also: Reservations and carryout