Small Plates, Big Flavors: Tapas at Dali
April 27, 2007
Tapas—whether they’re eaten at a small bar or full-on Spanish restaurant—are the Spanish equivalent of the more popular Chinese dim sum. Tapas, decadent Spanish appetizers, have made their mark throughout the history of Spain. In the past, the small plates have been known to be served before lunch or dinner, and have evolved over time with culinary trends. A traditional tapas menu will include “tapas calientes” (hot items), “tapas frias” (cold items), and sometimes, “tapas nuevas” (a commbination of both).
For anyone interested in experiencing this Spanish delight, Tufts is only a few miles away from Dali Restaurant and Tapas Bar. From the ambiance to the food to the service, Dali is an ideal destination for any occasion.
Take the friendly staff, for example. I’m sure all food fiends can attest to the fact that the servers and staff at Dali do their best to make your dinner experience as personal as possible. I experienced this warmth before I even arrived at Dali—I had the pleasure of talking to the chef himself when I made my reservation.
The setting of Dali lived up to my expectations. There is nothing generic, corporate or chain-like about the restaurant. I felt as thought I was stepping into a charming Spanish villa. The walls outside are painted lavender with the word “Dali” in bright orange. The interior walls are decorated with fresh flowers and handmade paintings. Of course, the restaurant is dimmed (as all good eateries should be), producing a very intimate setting. Whether you are expecting romance or a more casual environment, Dali has something for everyone. Your Dali experience can easily mold into whatever you want to make it—a fancy date destination for couples, a dress-down restaurant for friends, or a solo night on the town.
The menu at Dali provides both “tapas calientes” and “tapas frias.” The good thing about eating tapas is that unlike dim sum, you don’t end up leaving the restaurant feeling too stuffed. About five to seven items will do for a party of two—but beware of how much you order. Unlike dim sum, a tapas meal is not cheap, usually priced at $7-8 per plate. If you’ve had tapas before, you’re probably familiar with some of the standard items—however, much to my dismay, classics like dried peppers with sea salt were not on the Dali menu. But in spite of my initial disappointment, I was able to find several items to enjoy. In the hot section, Chorizo a la Plancha, or traditional grilled Spanish sausage cooked to crispy perfection, was my item of the night—and I hardly eat sausage. The seafood plate I reccomend is Vieiras al Azafrán, sea scallops. Served with Spanish cheeses and slightly browned at the top, this particular shellfish came highly recommended by our server. While scallops are not necessarily a Spanish specialty, but they are one of Dali’s specialties. Ironically, another usual tapas crowd pleaser, Potatoes Bravas, was not so hot. Patatas Bravas are small diced potatoes drenched in various hot sauces that I have always enjoyed in the past, but at Dali they weren’t even served extremely hot, which defeats the purpose of the dish. Furthermore, the aftertaste was comparable to the diced breakfast potatoes at Carmichael, which doesn’t bode well.
Fortunately, Dali redeemed itself with a muy calienete item. I highly suggest, that anyone who dines at Dali experience the sinful fried spanish cheese, Queso Rebozado con Miel. I wasn’t too pleased with the sweet honey jelly that it came with, but there’s something to be said about real Spanish cheese wrapped into a crispy golden brown batter. Yum.
And for vegetarians, there are some remarkable cold items that will leave you satiated. Dali’s rendition of the traditional white asparagus—Esparragos Blancos—works wonders in the mouth, but Dali takes the liberty of substituting the traditional caviar and horseradish cream with some more avant-garde choices: green mint sauce and hot pink sauce. It’s a bold move that picky eaters may not appreciate, but I thought it was an interesting innovation on such a beloved item. If you’re in the mood to try some more exotic things, Dali doesn’t disappoint. The “tapas calientes” menu includes rabbit, quail, and pheasant, to name a few adventurous ingredients.
Most importantly, for college students, Dali doesn’t really break your bank, although it’s important to be cautious and not overspend. Keep in mind that tapas is a light meal, and that it may be a good idea to get a snack elsewhere before you arrive. Or, if you want to spend the extra money, the sizzling sounds and wonderful aromas of the entrees are well equipped to satisfy your hunger.
Dali is a great night out. The menu tells a great story about all of the different dishes. The ambiance is malleable to any situation and the servers really take care of you—it’s a great way to get acquainted with the world of tapas snd take a Spanish vacation in under two hours.
Dali is located at 415 Washington Street. Somerville, MA.