BY SARAH AMUNDSEN
The first time I visited Tapas Las Ramblas, I was a bit skeptical. I’ve never eaten at a tapas restaurant before (to be honest, I wasn’t even sure exactly what “tapas” were). I was surprisingly pleased with Tapas Las Ramblas in Andersonville. Right away, I noticed how the cute the restaurant was, with a warm, laid-back atmosphere. The walls have bright colors and geometric patterns. Tapas Las Ramblas is a perfect date night spot, but also fun for a big group of friends. 
If you want to order drinks before you start your meal, Tapas Las Ramblas has an extensive wine, beer and cocktail selection. The best drinks include the raspberry mojito, the pomarita and the red sangria. It is also fun to order the sangria cocktails in a huge pitcher, making it perfect for sharing.
The food on the menu is also great for sharing. If you and one other person are dining at Tapas Las Ramblas, I recommend getting two or three dishes to share. If anyone is a vegetarian, there are plenty of options. I enjoyed the hot vegetable tapas, grilled with vinaigrette and goat cheese. Surprisingly, my favorite dish was the cauliflower tapas, served with a sauce that included apples, curry and caramel for an interesting blend of flavors and textures that complemented one another perfectly.
In addition to the vegetable tapas, the extensive menu features something for everyone, including shrimp, scallops, salmon, lamb, crab and even baby octopus. And if you still have room after your meal, try the flourless chocolate cake, which was no less than to die for. If you happen to go on a Wednesday night, which we highly suggest, enjoy the live music from a rotating variety of local artists.
Tapas Las Ramblas, 5101 North Clark Street. For more information, call 773-769-9700, visit www.tapaslasramblas.com or visit the restaurant’s Facebook page.
Sarah Amundsen is a senior at Loyola University Chicago, where she is pursuing studiesin in public relations and marketing. In her spare time, she is interested in running, fashion and eating her way through Chicago’s many great restaurants.
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