Tapas has been trending on the local dining scene for a while now, but with the upcoming opening of a new Woodberry restaurant, small plates are getting even smaller.
Debuting in historic Meadow Mill in late April, La Cuchara will be putting a new spin on casual dining with tapas and pintxos—bite-sized tasting dishes—on its Basque country-influenced menu.
Owner Ben Lefenfeld says that he was inspired by the Basque region, which is located on the border of northern Spain and France and famous for fusing each country’s cuisine.
“My background is in French cuisine, but I have always loved Spanish food and the communal atmosphere of cooking over wood,” says Lefenfeld. “It forced me to look more closely at different regions and think about what the area could [benefit] from.”
Although the vintage steel and wood-furnished interior will accommodate more than 180 guests, the centerpiece will be the 80-seat bar overlooking a wood-fire grill.
Guests sitting at the bar will also get a front-row seat to see the pintxos—typically bite-sized skewers of peppers, cheese, and wood-fired meats native to the Basque region—being made.
The rotating menu will feature moderately priced tapas and typical entree-sized options—like duck magret with pickled sunchokes and baby lettuce. But if you’re looking for a deal on savory snacks, the $2 pintxos are the way to go.
“There aren’t many places where you can try 10 different flavor combinations for $20 or less,” Lefenfeld says.
Lefenfeld, a former executive chef for Petit Louis Bistro, says that La Cuchara’s bar will be a no-reservations-needed space for locals to taste the bite-sized options and sip on seasonal cocktails in a laid-back setting.
The restaurant will also feature a selection of 100 bottled wines, and offer 12 wines by the glass from Spain and France.
For updates on La Cuchara’s grand opening news click here.