While the Sawa’s and Manresa’s accounted for an inordinate amount of my dining budget last year (and probably this year), I realized in writing this review that Iberia comes in a distant 3rd.

In the land of Delfina’s, Cafe Gibraltar’s, Zuni’s, and others; Iberia, that tapas restaurant relocated to downtown Menlo Park, probably ranks #3 in total visits during the calendar year.

And while only 2-3 dishes that force my return; this is comfort food to me. It was a natural choice for my pre-birthday dinner w/ some friends.

1. Puff Pastry w/ Snails, Almonds, & Bacon
Snails in an almond & bacon sauce, scattered w/ snails, topped w/ a puff pastry. Push your fork into the pastry and out comes the tantalizing aromas.. mmm… I could eat these all night long. Encore – we ordered 2.

2. Calamari w/ its own Ink
Ink, i proclaimed, makes everything better; especially the shellfish from which it came. Rich, nearly decadent, completely delicious. Again, i could eat these all night long. Encore – we ordered 2.

3. Red Pepper w/ Crab
This completes the truimivrate for me – obviously not nearly as rich as the other 2 dishes, but it can be delicate & delciious. It was drowned a bit in the olive oil tonight (oteich complained it was a tad fishy) but still satisfying.

4. Grilled Octopus
Nothing you haven’t had before but, again, completely satisfying.

5. Dates wrapped in Bacon
Surprisingly good (anything wrapped in bacon is such a safe bet)

All sorts of other stuff that i can’t quite remember.

It’s not the best food in the world; it lacks ambition; it can be cliched; it may even lack refinement; but, for me, it’s comfort food at a middle-tier price point. For the NY’ers, just as good as Tia Pol in my opinion, if not better.

(note: one can eat in the restaurant proper, but i find tapas @ the bar far more exciting. The puff pastry & calamari are on the ‘proper’ menu, but they will serve them @ the bar if you know to ask for them )

- chuck