New in Wynwood: Barcelona Wine Bar

Now that Art Basel and Miami Art Week is over, it is safe to venture back to Wynwood.

As a former “Connecticut Yankee”, one of our favorite restaurants in Fairfield County was the Spanish tapas restaurant, Barcelona. First opened in 1996 in South Norwalk, CT, owners Andy Pforzheimer and Sasa Mahr-Batuz, created an innovative menu of Spanish tapas, sharing plates, cocktails, and a top-notch wine program curated by Beverage Director, Gretchen Thomas.

Today with over 21 locations in eleven different states, the Barcelona brand with its distinctive menu has finally opened in Florida in Wynwood. And the Miami dining scene is better for it.

With an easy to miss single door entrance at 310 NW 25th St, along a mural wall and the Barcelona “woman” sign over the doorway, the cozy yet natural wood and concrete restaurant is very welcoming, with a large bar, hi top tables and a large dining room in the back. On our visit the outdoor garden seating area was not yet open, but should be very soon.

As a frequent diner at Barcelona in CT, I was relieved to see much of the menu the same with some local influences from Executive Chef Javier Narvaez, formerly at Pisco Y Nazca.

Specialties to share include an extensive Cheese and Charcuterie selection including Iberico ham, pork sausage from Catalunya, Jamon Serrano, Speck from Italy, and even Chorizo Blanco from New Jersey. The cheese selection includes Aged Manchego, Aliosis from Islas Carnarias and a Valdeon, creamy blue and goat’s milk cheese among many others not usually found in the Florida dining scene.

The Tapas are clearly the main event, which makes Barcelona especially fun with a group willing to share.

Our choices included Boquerones, fresh white anchovies with piquillo peppers in olive oil, Albondigas, spicy meatballs in sauce, Beef Empanadas with a spicy tomato sauce,

Delicata Squash Arancini with truffle honey,

and Sweet Chorizo with Figs and Bacon wrapped Dates.

BUT, even if you are tempted to overindulge in the Tapas, there are still some noteworthy Large Plates to consider…and share.

The Parillada Barcelona, a mixed grill of chicken, pork loin, steak and gaucho sausage is served on a wood board. We shared the half size which was plenty for 3 people.

There is also a whole Branzino, and 3 different Paellas, but my favorite dish is (and has always been) the Chicken Pimiento, a crispy quarter chicken with thinly sliced potatoes and hot cherry peppers and a sauce too yummy to explain.