Tapas & Friends, Aemtlerstrasse, Zurich
Feb
2015
The Poushe has been replaced with the Tapas and Friends. They serve a selection of fresh tapas every day – and to be nitpicking (and called out on the menu) these are actually “Montaditos”. Which implies that every bite is served on a piece of whitebread and a hint of tomato spread. Then again it’s Tapas & Friends and not Montaditos & Friends – but who am I to judge ?
I liked the small display of Montaditos in the showcase and order one with eggplant, tortilla, Bündnerfleisch, croqueta con jamon and tuna, all topped off with a side of patatas bravas. The one I liked best was the one with the tortilla, delicious and the crunchy bread is a nice accent to the different toppings. No complaints on any of the other ones either. But… the patatas where great! I actually had to order a second helping. A tad more crunch is maybe the only thing I would change, the spice alone is lovely with distinct salt and paprika to drive the flavor home. Since it was lunch and I had no immediate plans for schmoozing the opposite sex that afternoon I was thrilled by the garlic sauce on top off the potatos. The place has decent food, the only challenge is the slightly cramped layout of the place, interesting to see how they will do during evening services.
18/02/2015 at 20:14
there is no evening Service, so no issues here.
10/07/2015 at 14:58
now there is! Tuesday to Saturday, till 23.00.
19/02/2015 at 08:51
I’d say those look more like “pinchos” (or “pintxos”, as the basques write it). In Spain, a “montadito” is usually a brötli with some filling.
In any case, a tapa (literally cover or lid) is something so generic that any small bite can be called as such :).
19/02/2015 at 09:10
life long learning! Thanks for the input.
10/03/2015 at 11:18
I’d like to put in my two cents to this differentiation:
Pintxos are originary from the Basque Country and are the ones with the toothpick (“pintxo” in Basque langaige or “pincho” in Spanish means thorn or spike).
Montaditos are basically the same concept (something on top of a small slice of bread) ,but these are originary from the south of Spain. Sometimes these are tiny sandwiches. Its name come “montar”, to put over something. Usually without toothpick. However, you can put a toothpick on a montadito to prevent its ingredients from falling apart.
Great review (as always). I will try this one for sure.