In this fickle town, going out for dinner has become an epic battle amongst the most indecisive people. The new restaurant expansion has left food lovers in a world unknown filled with diner’s remorse, food envy, and other food-related regrets. Ultimately, food lovers are trying to satisfy their cravings at every new place with a certain level of FOMO – fear of missing out – as a new place opens down the road. However, there’s one establishment in Worcester that remains in a world of its own with a unique position to satisfy the utmost indecisive foodie.
Representing the underrepresented Spanish culture, Bocado Tapas Wine Bar is at the epicenter of the ideal #SundayFunday destination. Its walls are adorned with paintings of matadors de toros and flamenco dancers, the dark crimson colors drape over the chandeliers, and the dark leather booths speak to comfort and indulgence. Before the presence of a menu, Bocado Tapas Wine Bar sets the tone for an experience beyond its culinary offerings. The sultry sounds of salsa music played in the background as the small flames of the tealight candles on every table give off the perfect amount of intimate lighting.
Once the menu is presented, the experience of Bocado comes full circle with an intricate listing of tapas, Spanish wines, and authentic paella dishes. In the Spanish culture, tapas are the making of every meal. They are the small, savory plates or canapés originating in Spain and captivating the senses of food lovers everywhere. Served in select bars in Spain, tapas have evolved into an elegant affair of cuisine and company. At Bocado, they have emerged as a game changer years ago and remain as an exciting feature of Worcester’s growing food infatuation, making it the ideal #SundayFunday pick.
They say to truly experience Bocado is to share the menu with your table. Enjoying meats and cheeses, tapas plates and a large plate entree or paella and dessert is the ultimate way to experience what Bocado has to offer.
From the charcuteria y queso – a culmination of imported and domestic meats and cheeses – to the acompanamientos of fried mixed olives with saffron allioli, starting a night out at Bocado is easy as the menu varies with exotic flavors and a hint of exploration. Tapas are offered as cold or hot dishes, tapas frias and tapas calientes.
Hearing tapas described as small savory plates doesn’t provide the full imagery of some of the dishes as they range from chuletas de cordero – grilled lollipop lamb chops with rosemary mustard oil – to pulpo a feira – grilled Spanish octopus, roasted potato drizzled with olive oil, smoked Spanish paprika and sea salt. The range is impeccable and pairing the tapas, whether frias or calientes, with Spanish wine and a large plate of paella produce a transformative experience back to the old country. The paella, topped with a variety of peppers, and loaded with everything from shrimp to chorizo to lobster and mussels, is the closest formation to the original Valencia-style paella – a darker, denser and drier paella. The dish is the perfect pairing for Bocado’s award-winning Spanish wine list.
If for nothing more than the transformative experience Bocado Tapas Wine Bar provides, transitioning every foodie to the essence of Spanish culture in Spain, it is deserving of our #SundayFunday seal of approval.
Join us as we walk Worcester for wine in a sophisticated crawl-style evening where we take to the Canal District to enjoy four restaurants whose menu’s offer—sometimes in surprising ways—pairing prowess. The evening starts with our first course, a Spanish wine pairing at Bocado Tapas Wine Bar before the group walks to our second course pairing, featuring a raw bar medley and shrimp cocktail at Lock 50. Immediately following the second course, the group will cross the street to enjoy the main course, a taste of Italy, with pasta and choice of homemade meatball or sausage paired with an Italian wine from Russo Italian Restaurant. To end the wine pairing experience, the evening will conclude on a sweet note with 90+ Cellars pairing The Queen’s Cups’ dessert at their Water Street bakery.