A couple of my Spaniard friends (ex-pats) advised me that they offer tapas just like at home. The place is cozy and family owned. There wasn’t a dish that I wouldn’t order again and appreciated the flavors was all about the ingredients. Saltiness didn’t get in the way. Just wished had more friends with me so could order more from the menu and get my fill of the various options. Had an empanada, paella, cheese/salad plate, dessert, & sangria! The staff was very friendly and had meaninful conversations w/out forgetting the rest of the patrons…plus gave us a complimentary apertif. They don’t take reservations, but the long wait is worth it. If you’re not hungry at the beginning, you will be after your wait. Parking is very difficult. If I lived in SF, I’d probably make this one of my regular hangouts.

This is my favorite restaurant in the Bay Area. It is a complete bitch to find parking on a Saturday night in Russian Hill, but it is so worth it. Sangria is fresh, and the paella is WONDERFUL. Their tapas are pretty good too. The mussels in garlic wine sauce and the sauteed mushrooms are my favorite. They have a really tasty mango mousse cake for dessert. Line can take a while and since it’s so small, it can get pretty dark, but I love that their waitstaff is actually Iberian, and the atmosphere is both relaxed and intimate. It’s not cheap, but it’s worth splashing out on for a special occasion.