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Business & Tech

Matador: Makes Your Mouth Go Ole!

This week Patch reviews Spanish Mexican tapas restaurant Matador in Wayne.

Years ago, I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Barcelona. Did I have the money to go? Not really, but I’m glad my heart beat out my logical mind. It was one of the best trips I have ever taken. I fell in love with the art, the energy, the architecture and of course, the food.

I can honestly say I did not eat one thing I didn’t like. The food was simple, but well prepared. The ingredients were fresh and the prices reasonable. When I went to , I felt the same exact way even if the restaurant is advertised as a Spanish and Mexican restaurant.

We arrived famished and ordered aggressively from the menu. As is the style for tapas restaurants, the food came out as it was prepared, rather than as distinct courses.

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The ensalada de matador (McGregor’s Farm hydroponic butter head greens, almonds, cabrales cheese, figs, Serrano ham and sherry vinaigrette, $8) was excellent. The portion of sliced ham was generous and the remaining components were nice subtle accents that enhanced rather than overpowered the salad. The ensalada gambas (farm greens, roasted corn, diced avocado, Guajillo rubbed shrimp and avocado vinaigrette, $12) and ensalada de jicama (farm greens, jicama, pepitas, panela cheese and pumpkin seed vinaigrette, $8) sound equally tasty.

The soups offered include two Mexican: chicken tortilla soup ($8) and Oaxacan black bean soup ($6) and the Spanish gazpacho Andaluz ($6).

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The tapas are divided into six sections (cheeses, cured meats, chicken, meats, fish and vegetables).

The cheeses include aged manchego, mahon, cabrales, tetilla, cabra el vino, cadi flor, roncal, queso de cabra. Each selection is priced from $6-$9 or you can choose any three for $14. We had the manchego, cadi flor and queso de cabra which came with small diced membrillo (quince paste), strawberries and almonds as accoutrements. The manchego was nutty and salty, the cadi flor the most mild tasting and the queso de cabra (my favorite) was creamy and had a slight funk to it as is typical of most goat cheeses. The portions were the largest I have ever seen on a cheese plate so you definitely get your money’s worth.

The cured meats available are the fantastic Serrano ham, two kinds of chorizo, leon herradura and cantimpalo. They are priced similarly to the cheeses.

The pollo (chicken) choices are brochetas (skewered marinated chicken, $7/$14), quesadilla con pollo (chicken quesadillas, $8) and pollo fundido (grilled chicken in tequila scented Chihuahua cheese, soft tortillas, $8). The quesadillas had caramelized onions, plenty of chicken and cheese.

The carnes include croquetas de jamon (ham croquettes, $7), brochetas toro (skewered sirloin, $8/$16), chorizo bilbao a la plancha (skewered grilled chorizo, $7), chuletillas de cordero (lamb chops, red pepper jam, $10/$20).

We had the outstanding ceviche (calamari, shrimp, crab scallops, lime-serrano vinaigrette, $10) which proved to be so delicious we couldn’t stop eating it even when we were stuffed. The pasteles de Jaiba (plantain dusted crab cakes with papaya-habanero sauce, $10) are on my list for next time.

It was not coincidence that we ordered so much from the verduras (vegetables) section, I was with a vegetarian who occasionally eats fish. The patatas bravas (spicy potatoes with pimento aioli, $5) were crisp and savory. The tortilla Espagnola (egg potato-onion tortilla with saffron aioli, $9) was just as good when I ate it cold the next day. The guacamole tableside ($10) was a gigantic treat with crunchy and addictive tortilla chips.

If you’re looking for a more substantial offering, the menu includes main courses like fajitas, poblano mole and enchiladas or sandwiches, burgers, fish tacos and burritos. There are even more main courses and specials offered at dinner like paella, lobster and even a roast suckling pig carved tableside.

There is a full bar featuring many kinds of tequila, an extensive cocktail list (with an excellent and enormous classic margarita ($10)) and a whole array of the vibrantly colored, sugar rich Mexican Jarritos sodas. The guava Jarritos ($4) was fizzy fun with my lunch. Non-alcoholic soft drinks and juices are also available.

The service was unbelievably friendly and the décor very Spanish. The murals of bullfighting, the matador outfits on the wall and my friend’s favorite, what appeared to be metal sculptures of a mariachi band all add to the experience of dining at Matador. Tapas restaurants provide an ideal pre-theatre option (Wayne movie theatre is indeed around the corner) because you can choose to eat a quick bite or a full on feast depending on your appetite or the timing. I’d recommend this place for both.  The only thing left to do is say “vamanos!” to your amigos and go there.

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