First let me say I’m sorry, I’ve been out of the writing game for the last few weeks but I have been quite busy with my day job (You know how they say “don’t quit your day job”? Well.. I’ve had a few people say that about my writing… And I quickly have then kicked them in the kneecaps.), but even more importantly I have a beautiful new nephew who has absolutely stolen my heart. And a shameless plug to my family here, my sister and brother-in-law are off to a pretty great job being parents.

This brings me to dinner last night at Toro (http://toro-restaurant.com/boston/). I took a very active part in the planning and execution of my sister’s baby shower, and in return she sent me a pretty sizeable gift card to Toro. I would have made it out there eventually as it’s been on my list for pretty much ever, but this gave me the little push needed to get out to the South End and have some amazing Tapas. Now, my dining companion and I tried to go two weeks ago but were greeted with an hour and 45 minute wait. I love me some tapas, but not that much, so that night we ventured out to Barcelona in Brookline (which by the way is awesome and I highly recommend it- shame on me for not writing, but I’m sure to go back!). But last night, hoping the rain would be a deterrent and wearing one of my favorite new pendants (http://www.anntaylor.com/crystal-cluster-pendant-necklace/337314?colorExplode=false&skuId=15929167&catid=cata000021&productPageType=fullPriceProducts&defaultColor=5343) we headed to Toro and were instead greeted with a 30-45 minute wait a.k.a completely tolerable. We made our way to the bar so I could have my glass of Syrah blend while we waited, but luckily the bartender put on us on the wait list for the bar (yes, they are so crazy that they even have a waiting list for the bar!) and we were seated within 15 minutes at the most.

At this point I was pretty famished, which is never a good thing for me when dining out. But luckily my dining companion gets completely on board with trying as much as possible and allowing us a night of semi-gluttonous eating. I would say the menu is intimidating, because of all of the delicious choice and where do you even begin to start?! But instead we accepted the challenge and made our way through the glorious options of Pan Con Tomate, Bone Marrow, Paella, and so so much more. So here’s how it went down, there was no way I could skip paella. I have literally been craving paella, really good paella, for the better part of the last year. I don’t have trouble finding paella, I just have trouble getting anyone to share it with me! My dining companion didn’t let me down when he agreed… smart man. We opted to accompany the paella with an assortment of tapas in the following order Pan Con Tomate, Datiles Con Jamon, Maiz Asado Con Alioli y Queso Cotija, Empanade de Pollo y Patatas, and the Hamburguesas. Again, this was a glutton without guilt meal.

We started with the Pan Con Tomate which came out the perfect portion of toasted bread with the lightest layer of roasted tomato with just the right amount of garlic. The tomato spread did nothing to eliminate the crunch in the bread, and the garlic brought such a nice warm hint. Next came the dates, which is something we also enjoyed at the South End Buttery, but these came stuffed with blue cheese, chopped almonds and wrapped lightly in ham. My dining companion actually preferred the ham over the bacon wrap we had consumed previously, I enjoyed both to be honest but we all know I love my salty pig products! Soon to follow was the Maiz (the corn in case you weren’t sure). I have had Spanish corn a few times now and this one be-stilled my heart. It was fire roasted on the cob then coated in a delicious mixture of lime aioli, pepper and aged cheese. Corn on the cob is never a sexy food to eat while accompanied by a man, but luckily he didn’t judge… I got right in there, and it was worth it. The Maiz might have been the star of my show. Just as we were finishing our first ear of the glorious corn, the paella arrived in a fiery hot cast iron skillet and looking every bit amazing as I had imagined. We had chosen what I believe to be the definition of paella, the one that was filled with clams, mussels, shrimp, chicken, chorizo, peas and rice. Regardless of the heat, I allowed myself a heaping spoonful and practically had to sit on my hands to keep from taking a bite before it had cooled adequately. (And besides I really hate when I burn the roof of my mouth and then I can barely eat Sour Patch Kids for days. Yup, that’s the worst.) Upon first bite it was almost as if life stopped, this paella was exactly what I had been dreaming about. The shellfish was cooked impeccably, tender and not overcooked, but infused perfectly with the sauce. The chicken came out extremely moist (sorry!) as they put only dark meat in the dish, white meat always tends to really dry out in paella. Lastly, who doesn’t love chorizo? I believe I already professed my love and loyalty to pig parts earlier in this blog. Finally out came the Hamburguesas and the Empanade. I’m going to go out on a line here and say something pretty controversial here, but the Hamburguesas were probably one of the best little burgers I have had… EVER (2nd to Craigie of course). Cooked rare to mid-rare, on a pillow of a soft roll, topped with smoked tomato, aioli, and pickled red onions. The pairing of the meat, with the sweetness of the tomato, and the creaminess of the aioli, and then a hit of acid with the pickled onions was amazing. I could have eaten another on my own, if not two more. I feel like after that the Empanadas were lost, how do you come back from a burger like that? They also did not disappoint with tender chicken and potatoes with the right amount of seasoning. What I really loved about this dish though was the tomatillo salsa mixed with aioli.

So how you do end a dinner like this? One where you think you couldn’t possibly eat another thing? You get dessert. I have become a fan lately of restaurants having one dessert and not giving you options, so I was content when the bartender let us know that our one choice was churros accompanied with homemade chocolate sauce. Again, I know I’m allergic to cinnamon, and yes I know I’m not supposed to have it but come one, churros! I will say this is the only place I felt Toro fell short, but this could also be because we had had the churros at Barcelona two weeks before and they were thicker, doughier, and less cinnamon. However, the chocolate sauce at Toro was a game changer.

All in all, Toro completely lived up to everything I thought it would be and so much more. The service was excellent, the food was simple and perfect and warmed us up on a cold rainy night. I would absolutely go back, do you think tomorrow is too soon?

Bon Appetit!