Burke's Buffet: Toro, Toro!

Toro

1704 Washington Street

Boston, Ma

617-536-4300

Menu: Spanish Tapas

Atmosphere: Rustic, Authentic, Casual dining.

Kid Friendly: I would be surprised to see kids here

Prices: $160 for four of us with drinks and dessert and as you can see lots of food.

Last Friday Lou and I hit up Toro in the South End with our good friends Zev and Maureen. I think we all had a long week and were ready for a great meal. Toro is mainly a tapas restaurant with a few large meals for sharing as well. It is owned by Ken Oringer, and if you read my post on Clio in the Elliot Hotel, you know I am a huge fan of all Ken Oringer restaurants.

Toro doesn't take reservations, so if you don't like waiting too long, you might want to get there early. Even on this rainy night, there was a 45 minute wait by 6:30 pm for a table of four. If you do run into a wait at Toro, it is worth every minute. While your waiting, try one of their original cocktails. I went for the Cold River Rickey. Besides being fun to say, it is a Raspberry Lime Rickey with Vodka in it. A drink that mixes two of my favorite drinks?!?!? How could I go wrong?

We had been quoted a 45 minute wait, but were seated much faster in about 15-20. There are two types of seating in Toro. There are stand alone tables in the front and along a banquet, and then there are long high tables in the middle of the floor which usually you end up sharing with other parties. I have sat at both and had a great experience each time. Sitting with people you don't know at a tapas place allows you to check out what they ordered and add to your choices!

On this trip we sat in the banquet and had our own table of four. The only complaint I have about the seating in Toro is there isn't enough!

One thing I love about Toro is the server station. There is a large wooden table in the back that looks as if you would prepare a meal on it or eat at it. This is where servers keep there silverware and bread for tables. It is clean, blends with the atmosphere, and speaks to the attention to detail Ken has within all his restaurants. There are no dirty bus tubs, or silverware trays. There is only the desire to make everything about this restaurant appetizing.

When we sat for dinner, I switched drinks from mixed to wine and got a glass of the Tempranillo at Maureen's suggestion. It was excellent and served in a glass which was a cross between a juice glass and a highball. I have a friend whose dad is off the boat Italian. He makes his own wine and serves it this way. I know, Italian not Spanish, but you can tell this glass choice was deliberate when creating the atmosphere in Toro. It's laid back, rustic, the kind of place you bring good friends to share great food.

This is what we ordered with some pictures to tempt you:

Datiles con Jamon- Dates stuffed with marcona almonds and blue cheese wrapped in jamon

Uni Bocadillo-Pressed Uni sandwhich with miso butter and pickled mustard seeds

Gambas a Ajillo-Garlic Shrimp

Croquetas de Bacalao- Cod Fritters

Maz Asado con Alioli y Queso Catija-Grilled corn smothered in a garlic sauce and covered in aged cheese. oh my I said smothered and covered like waffle house, but this is no waffle house!