Azucar Tapas Restaurant and Cocktail Bar

A friend and I decided to give Azucar another try....and I am glad that we did! We happened to go on a very cold Saturday night expecting it to be slammed I made a reservation. I arrived 15 minutes early and only 2 or 3 tables had customers. Grabbed their special Mojito at the bar to wait for my friend, it was delicious and strong.

After moving to our seat, the place started filling up. We ordered everything they were out of the first time we were there....the Beef Empanadas and the Pumpkin Soup. They were both amazing, the soup was incredible!!  The bacon wrapped dates were just as good as the last time. At the end we decided to get the Fried Doughnuts with hot fudge and a cheese plate. Both were so scrumptious and nice treat before we headed to a movie!  Before we left the owner came over and offered us a drink, which was a great touch.

I will definitely be back. Service was much better this time and the food was on par!

Yes!  Just.....Yes!!!  The food, the drinks, the service, the atmosphere, the location (on public transit - big plus for me!).  All great!!  If you have special diet needs they're happy to work with you (another BIG plus for me!).  I only wish we'd left room for dessert!  (standouts for me: paella, grilled artichoke hearts (sounds simple, but SO good!!), house-made sangria, and of course caipirinhas!!)

I was interested in this place because I go to Spain every year, so I KNOW what tapas are and I even make them myself at home. I love them, but not these.  What a huge let down. Went on a Sunday evening and ordered 3 tapas:
The Alcachofas - Artichokes - were still stinking and tasting of the heavy preservatives that they were sitting in the large industrial size CAN from where they came!
Next was the Gambas al Ajillo - Shrimp in Garlic Sauce.  The sauce served with the shrimp was not the traditional olive oil, crushed red pepper, roasted garlic and parsley that we are accustomed to in Spain (even check Google images).  Instead, this was a ketchup, mayo and hot sauce mixture!
Last, was the Potatoes and Chorizo. The larger size (1 1/2inch) potatoes were raw and not cooked.  There was so much salt and seasoning on the potatoes as if the cook wanted to cover up the fact they were still raw.
The nice bartender asked us how was everything and we told her this.  She went back to the kitchen and was there for a considerable amount of time.  She came back to offer us a glass of wine.  We declined, paid the entire check and immediately left, leaving the 3 tapas with only one bite taken from them.