Review: Bar Raval

What's the scoop with this place?
Toronto's in-the-know food obsessives clamor for tables at Bar Raval, a warm and bustling joint known for its stellar tapas and pintxos. If the dining room feels like something out of Barcelona, owners Grant van Gameren and Robin Goodfellow have done their josb; after all, they used Raval, a neighborhood in the Spanish city, as inspiration for the sexy vibe and curvy and colorful decor.

What's the crowd like?
The restaurant doesn't take reservations and the crowds are ample; your best bet is to show up early and wait alongside young neighborhood professionals, international foodies.

What's on the drink menu?
Spanish and Portuguese wines—a tight, but solid, selection of red, white, orange, and sparkling—take the spotlight here. The cocktail list is also good, with creative concoctions paired with clever menu descriptions. Into The Sun—"This tangy gin cocktail will undoubtedly, absolutely, unequivocally stop you from getting burned by the sun"—combines Beefeater, lemon, honey, sherry, housemade aquavit, apricot, and celery.

Main event: the food. Give us the lowdown—especially what not to miss.
This is a tapas and pintxos menu, so be prepared to order lots of stuff and share it. The house-smoked mussels with chili and fennel are an addictive must-try, as is the pancetta with rhubarb. There are also straightforward, classic dishes such as plates of excellent manchego and Serrano ham.

And how did the front-of-house folks treat you?
There when you want them, invisible when you don't, and perfectly adept at handling a crowd that tends to get rowdier as the night draws on.

What’s the real-real on why we’re coming here?
As one of Toronto's buzziest restaurants in recent memory, Bar Raval will give you some cred with whoever you bring you bring with you. Getting a table can take a while, so don't show up here for a business dinner unless you're OK with it lasting a while.