Cúrate

Wanted to come here for dinner on a Friday, but the only reservation we could get was a late lunch.
Their menu is overwhelmingly extensive, which I don’t enjoy very much, especially when a lot of their items sound very similar. Our waiter wasn’t very good, either… very awkward, and I overheard other servers explaining things about the menu to their customers that ours never bothered to mention. Food and wine were very good, though, so that’s what still earns Curate a 3 star «I’d go here again» rating.
My favorite were the patatas bravas: potatoes cooked in olive oil with pimento cheese and their house salsa brava. Also enjoyed the shrimp with garlic (gambas al ajillo), piquillo peppers stuffed with goat cheese, and chorizo on top of a potato purée. The portions are such that 2 people can share a plate and 4 plates for a table of 2 is a good meal.
Wine list tries to have wine from all over Spain. But I’ve been to Spain and I’ve had wine from all over that country and I find Rioja to be the best region, so I wish that region were better represented on their list. I did manage to find one that enjoyed.
Quite a pricey place, but cheaper than a flight to Madrid, which is probably where you’d have to go for anything more delicious.

It’s trendy, yet authentic. Those two don’t always come together, but while Curate achieves a marriage of spice and spunk, it doesn’t execute on a level that the expectations are set at.
The restaurant has one of those long narrow footprints where you can see the entirety of the room when you walk in. The kitchen is totally exposed on the left behind a long marble bar and it is delightful to watch the cooks at their craft. The restaurant is situated in the heart of downtown Asheville and parking can be hard on weekends and select nights.
One troubling component to our visit involved some miscommunication regarding the wait for a table. We strolled in on a Saturday night, completely reservationless, and asked about the wait. It was an hour but we could choose to be called on our cell phone when the table is ready. Sounds good. We left and found a different bar with a rooftop area for cocktails. No more than 20 minutes went by when we received a text that our table was ready so we had to chug our drinks, pay, and get back. That’s not the best sense of timing I’ve ever seen. Worse, our ready «table» simply consisted of two seats at the bar — hardly what most people want to wait for, but we shrugged it off and took our only option there. I just think that should be made clear when you put your name on a waiting list that you might not be getting a booth or a table.
We took our stools and perused the placemat menu which is acceptable for a tapas bar. The dishes were mostly very authentic and those lacking authenticity were due to creative choices.
We started with the white asparagus. The presentation was top notch, but the dish was just average. The asparagus lacked flavor and the oil overwhelmed other elements of the dish. The texture was on point though.
We also had the jamon Iberico with pan con tomate. The ham was of superior quality but for $ 20, there was very little of it — perhaps 2 oz. at most. I’ve seen more on charcuterie plates. The pan con tomate (bread with macerated tomatoes) was fine — nothing memorable really.
We wrapped up with the pulpo or octopus. We were very excited about this one because its one of our favorite treats and usually found at Iberian tapas eateries. The presentation was, again, fabulous. Small disks of white octopus fit neatly into a square glass dish. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the best octopus I’ve ever had. It had not been cleaned very well which left a gooey texture on some pieces. It was cooked to a good temperature though. The texture of the meat had that fish steak mouth feel that you want from octopus.
There were salient efforts to create a unique tapas experience and nothing was close to bad, but it just didn’t quite click. Some fine-​tuning could take this place from average to outstanding.

*Reservations Are A Must*
I’ve driven 5 hours to Asheville only to have dinner here. This is the most authentic, delicious Spanish food I’ve had on this side of the Atlantic… it really brings me back to Spain every time I eat here. I’ve been for dinner and brunch, and both always make me think about moving to Asheville so I could eat here all the time. (HA! If only I could afford dinners like that regularly… it is not a cheap place to go.)
If you are new to Spanish cuisine or not very adventurous, the pan con tomate, tortilla and patas bravas are really good starting points. The lamb pinchos are INSANELY delicious too.
If you are open to everything — you can’t go wrong with this menu. Go wild.

The best place in town. Originally tried to get a reservation here for dinner and failed but thankfully we were walking by one night and went in to see if we can do a walk-​in for an early dinner and were successful.
Highly recommend sitting at the bar which overlooks all of the chefs preparing the food as its a really fun experience. The ambiance just wasn’t the same in the back.
The wine was really good and each plate of food was fantastic. We ordered the octopus (the best dish we tried), a meat plate, some cheese + three meat dish, and a few others. Also had the pistachio dessert which had a really pretty presentation and was also really yummy.
Definitely recommend if you have a few hours to indulge.

I admit I was a little hesitant about trying this place, but my boyfriend wa game so we went! I’m so glad we did — the wine is extrenly well priced — very few bottles over $ 50! The food was excellent — he loved the different hams! Our favorite was the rossejat negro — squid in its ink over thin noodles, yummy!

This is such a popular restaurant that you will need a reservation any night of the week — even for seating at the bar!
The people who work here are knowledgeable– use their suggestions when ordering food! We absolutely loved the shrimp cooked with garlic (and dipped our bread in the broth at the end — yum!) but did not love the white asparagus, which was served cold with mayonnaise. We also loved the lamb skewers.
The drinks were a highlight of our dinner here — the best gin and tonic that I have ever had! It included a decorative strip of lemon peel and two juniper berries. The tonic was brought in a mini bottle so I could add as much as I wanted — cool idea!

First time I had been to a Spanish Tapas restaurant. Although I love small plates.
Ambiance: It was loud, overcrowded and full of the expected types you see at this type of restaurant in Asheville in the summer. Not somewhere I would consider for a romantic evening. Sat at the bar even though I had reservations because it was less stuffy there than in the back. Cool to watch the chefs at work.
Food: For the price of this place, it was mediocre. I liked the ham and cheese plate. Nothing else was very memorable.
Service: Asheville always has good service so no complaints here.
Overall: Not bad, but there is much better in Asheville.

For the last 3 years, we have always made a point to come here for every visit to Asheville. Each time, it’s been 5 stars. Also each time, it seems I need to make the reservation further and further in advance. (I think I made it 6 weeks in advance this time). The food is always amazing and the service is always impeccable. We’ve enjoyed everything we’ve ordered (excluding the white asparagus). This visit, they had something new that we really enjoyed — «Migas» (brussel sprouts). Very good! Another patron actually suggested it. Also I like and appreciate that the wait staff are always knowledgeable with their wines. It is frustrating when they can’t give you any suggestions when you are about to spend $ 50 or so on a bottle of wine.
So why not the full 5 stars this time? Well, they changed how you order. It’s tapas. small plates that traditionally you order throughout the course of the meal. The idea is not to be rushed. That is always the way it was but now we were told we had to order everything up front. So we felt rushed… We were told ‘the reason was because the kitchen was sometimes getting backed up and plates were going out late. This way they can time everything for you, as well as decide the order in which they’ll come out.’ Another reason why we liked placing our orders as we went along is because you’re not sure how big or small they will be. Doing it this new way, we weren’t sure if we were over ordering or if we were going to be stuffed before the end.

AMAZING! The only way I can describe this place. The food is excellent, fresh and authentic. Since we do not find ourselves in Asheville often we decided to order a lot of items on the menu in order to really get good idea of the selection (which is quite long). Here’s what we ordered:
pan con tomate w/​manchego: crisp but soft light bread with fresh tomato purée and topped with a slice of manchego cheese. Simple but insanely good. I could have eaten 2 orders to myself.
croquetas de pollo: creamy fried and breaded shredded chicken fritters. These also very simple yet full of flavor and perfectly executed. Crisp on the outside and creamy/​soft on the inside. A must try!
potatas bravas: Fried potatoes with tomato sauce and what tasted like a chipotle mayo. These were also good butI probably would not order them again as I liked other items better. I would have preferred a little more spice but that’s just my opinion.
chistorra & chips: Fried chorizo wrapped in thin potatoes. Bascially a sausage wrapped in a potato chip. I was really excited for these and they had excellent flavor but were just too greasy for me to enjoy. My boyfriend gobbled them up but one was enough for me.
espinacas a la catalana: Sauteed warm spinach salad is the best way I can describe this. It was literally like the sauteed a traditional spinach salad which surprisingly worked very well! The spinach was perfectly wilted, raisins plump and juicy and apples slightly softened. Divine!
gambas al ajillo: Shrimp sauteed in oil and garlic. Simple but delicious and worth a try.
setas al jerez: Sauteed mushrooms. I did not think I could love mushrooms anymore than I already do but I was wrong. Hands down the best mushrooms I have ever eaten!
canelones de carne: Spanish stuffed pasta w/​white sauce. I was on the fence about ordering this dish as I do not like the taste and/​or texture of liver. However; after a discussion with our server I decided to give it a try and was really glad I did. It was rich and delicious and salty (in a good way). You could not really detect the liver which made it very enjoyable to me. Heavy dish but big flavor.
Great food, great ambiance and excellent service. If you are in asheville or planning a trip to Asheville you HAVE to try Curate or you would be doing yourself a great disservice.

For the last 3 years, we have always made a point to come here for every visit to Asheville. Each time, it’s been 5 stars. Also each time, it seems I need to make the reservation further and further in advance. (I think I made it 6 weeks in advance this time).
The food is always amazing and the service is always impeccable. We’ve enjoyed everything we’ve ordered (excluding the white asparagus). This visit, they had something new that we really enjoyed — «Migas» (brussel sprouts). Very good! Another patron actually suggested it.
Also I like and appreciate that the wait staff are always knowledgeable with their wines. It is frustrating when they can’t give you any suggestions when you are about to spend $ 50 or so on a bottle of wine.
So why not the full 5 stars this time?
Well, they changed how you order. It’s tapas. small plates that traditionally you order throughout the course of the meal. The idea is not to be rushed. That is always the way it was but now we were told we had to order everything up front. So we felt rushed… We were told ‘the reason was because the kitchen was sometimes getting backed up and plates were going out late. This way they can time everything for you, as well as decide the order in which they’ll come out.’ (We wondered if they were also trying to get people in/​out quicker) Another reason why we liked placing our orders as we went along is because you’re not sure how big or small each tapas will be. Doing it this new way, we weren’t sure if we were under ordering or if we were going to be stuffed before the end.
As of now, we actually aren’t planning on going back on our next visit this summer. I never thought I’d say that. but there are so many other great places and we think we’re going to explore more.

I made sure to get reservations weeks prior to my Asheville trip because everyone said this was the must-​try restaurant! It was a lovely experience, although I’m not sure it’s the BEST restaurant in Asheville.
Cúrate’s menu is pretty standard for tapas. Expect all of your traditional tapas dishes at their most delicious and with high quality ingredients. We loved our pan con tomate, jamon Serrano, piquillo peppers stuffed with warm goat cheese and sherry mushrooms. The only «innovative» dish we tried was the spicy chorizo wrapped in potato chip — it was super creative and the crunchy chip complimented the chorizo very well.
We also got a pitcher of cava sangria and loved watching our waitress prepare it table side. The service in general was fantastic — not super fast, but that helped us enjoy each dish individually.
Why am I withholding a star? Maybe the exceptional reviews set my expectations too high. I was expecting more innovation from such a highly praised chef, and not just well prepared versions of your typical fare. I still enjoyed everything, though!

We really enjoy coming here, but I will be honest, its not our first place to run to. We have been in here when it’s «slow» and when it’s busy. Even slow has been packed. We were lucky once to just walk in. Every other time we have had to have reservations. Not that that is a big deal. But, be aware if you are visiting Asheville and just walking around and want to eat here, don’t get your hopes up.
Now, moving on. The ambiance is delightful, though fairly tight quarters. The servers were fantastic, knowledgeable and on top of things.
The food… here is where the magic is. REMEMBER… this is TAPAS. not dinner. Unless you order a ton of things to which your wallet will not be your friend. We only ordered 3 dishes, but it was enough to wet our palate and really explore the flavors. Each dish was unique in its own right. I would encourage you to go if you are an adventurous eater and let your palate dance.

This restaurant was listed as best restaurant in Asheville. So we chose this place to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We had flat stake. It was nicely seasoned and very tender. Also we had octopus. It was very easy to eat not too chewy. We enjoyed it. We also had a kinda pasta paella. We loved the sauce that were used for. It was very unique. All the food was so fresh and high quality.

We came with a very large group and Curate made sure we had some great food and service. Since we were such a large group, we gave the server a few ideas on what we liked and didn’t like, and the chef put together a series of courses for us. It took quite a long time, but most of the food was pretty good, and the wine was delicious. I’d like to try again with a smaller group when I can pick out exactly what I would like to try.

There is some truth to the rave reviews here, and a tad of truth to the reviews that have this place falling flat (there are some combinations that are unique but maybe don’t *quite* come together in the right way). I think it depends what you personally like, and what you order.
Our service was excellent — we had a very helpful, kind waiter who was fun and provided a great experience.
All of the dishes were *unique* — so come here if you’re up for an adventure! With that said, some flavor combinations were great. A few other things were good but not GREAT, and the octopus, while tender, was slightly over salted. Nothing *blew my mind* except for the potato starch paper dessert. We had:
Red peppers stuffed with goat cheese: Very good
Brussel Sprouts: Very good, unique
Grilled octopus: Melted in my mouth in a way grilled octopus never has before, but too much salt
Pork: Ordered with mushrooms, went perfectly together. Most tender pork I’ve ever had. Recommend.
Mushrooms: Great fresh mushrooms, done well, recommend.
Eggplant: Soaked in milk overnight, fried and drizzled with honey and rosemary. We had this as a pre-​dessert and I’d recommend this.
Potato Starch Paper dusted with cocoa powder, dried cherries and nuts: Totally unique and unlike anything I’ve ever had — it was fun to eat and yummy
Definitely worth a visit. The things that didn’t quite hit the spot for me were very close, and if I lived here I would definitely come back and try more dishes. Also incredibly affordable!

My husband and I dined at Curate for Valentine’s. We had a bit of a rough start. We sat at the bar for a glass of wine before moving to our table. The bartender, who looked pretty young, made a point of repeating three times that the description my husband provided for the kind of wine he liked applied to white wines as opposed to red wines (my husband said he wanted red, but used the term «oaky» and «buttery.») Granted, the bartender was probably correct those words come up with white wines, but instead of saying it once, he repeated it a few times and it was kind of insulting. So we didn’t get off to a very pleasant start.
Our waitress, however, was lovely and very friendly. She pointed out house favorites and was helpful as we selected several plates. We started with the bocadillo Serrano and tortilla Espanola. These turned out to be my favorite two dishes of the whole night. The sandwich tasted just like I remember them in Spain; the bread was perfect, the tomatoes were just the right amount of tart, and the ham was spot on. The tortilla Espanola was different than I’ve had before, but in a good way; it had runny egg spilling out that gave it the most savory flavor. I could have eaten the whole thing to myself!
We had a cheese plate with manchego, blue cheese, and two others I’m forgetting right now. It came with a fig preserve that tasted like the inside of a pie, so good! We also had the gambas de ajillo, shrimp with garlic in a light sauce that was perfect for dipping the bread. I thought the price was a little high for the small amount of shrimp that you get with this dish, but it tasted good nonetheless.
I really enjoyed the meal, particularly the first two items. Apart from the bartender fiasco, I thought the service was wonderful, especially on such a busy night.

There is a reason why Curate is ranked in the top 5 restaurants in Asheville. And there is a reason why reservations are highly recommended. This place kills it with food quality and great service. It doesn’t hurt that Curate was created 3 years ago by a 27 year old culinary prodigy to the likes that Asheville had never seen. In just a few short years Katie Button has taken this city by the horns and has also become a who’s who of chefs in the world. Curate is a tapas house and unless you are an aficionado of Spanish food, I highly suggest you ask your server plenty of questions and follow their suggestions because the menu items are all in Spanish with the ingredients in English. There is really no way to comprehend how the plate will come out based on the description because Katie’s presentation is so unique. Listen to your server’s suggestions. They train them well to interpret what you might like.
They have bar seating that is first come first serve. But If you are visiting Asheville and really want to eat here you would be wise to get reservations, because getting a bar seat is like getting a Willy Wonka Golden Ticket.
I know you will enjoy it.

I have been craving good Spanish food since our trip to Spain. Curate was a recommended by my cousins.
The menu took me back. There were the classics and a few local twists. We kinda ate our way through the menu, so what we ate is a bit fuzzy. I do know the potato chip wrapped chorizo was ridiculously good and great with a Moritz (a Barcelona beer I only saw in Barcelona). The goat cheese stuffed peppers were great. The pistachio sponge cake was beautifully plated and was just the right amount of sweet.
Our service was average, but it was all about the food and this is the place to get it.

What can I say about this place, except, «wow»!
I had to wait until 9:30pm to eat, because I made same day reservations, but my meal was well worth it.
I started with butternut squash soup and what I call pan Catalan (toasted bread w/​tomato purée and manchego). The flavors worked perfectly together; spicy soup with salty/​sweet candied pumpkin seeds and the rich tomato & cheese of the bread felt authentic and decadent.
Next, I tried the stuffed peppers. This dish of complementary items was my favorite of the night. Sweet roasted piquillo peppers, stuffed with goat cheese and drizzled with a pesto sauce combined for a lovely snack, while awaiting my entrée.
I finished with the canalones de carne, which came out like two mini enchiladas covered in bechamel sauce and white cheddar cheese. This is the richest thing I’ve ever tasted! Except for knowingly having eaten chicken livers (along with ground beef & pork), this dish is a new favorite. Maybe I’ll try to recreate it at home sans organ meat.
I didn’t have room for dessert, but the service, atmosphere and entire experience was amazing. I’m definitely coming back.

Had dinner here on a Sunday night at 9pm and the place was pretty lively. Vey glad I made reservations in advance. We were seated immediately at a table in the back area. The restaurant managed to feel intimate even though it was busy and the tables are on the closer side to each other. Our waiter was a little stand-offish.not rude, just maybe at the end of a long day and ready to go home? It wasn’t enough to bother us, but something I noticed.
Based on all of the hype about Curate, I really expected to come here and be blown away. While I definitely don’t regret having dined here, I think the overall experience was good, but pretty much just bordering on the average. If you’re visiting Asheville, then yes, sure, eat here if it’s available, but no need to plan your trip around it is what I’m saying.
Pan con tomate – toasted well, but super salty
Fried almonds – so basic, but an excellent snack
Tabla de embutidos ibericos – definitely worth ordering as you get a good selection of Spanish charcuterie
Patatas bravas – a staple of tapas restaurants. Curate’s version is good, but, again, with the salt.
Gambas al ajillo – tender shrimp, garlicky broth, and bread for dipping. I can see why it’s one of the favorites here.
Pincho moruno – (lamb skewers) decent sized portion for 2 people, nicely cooked, and the pickles added a good flavor
With drinks our bill came to $ 75. If it had been more, I probably would have rated this as 3 stars and overpriced for what it was. Again, good tapas overall, but not blown away.

Everything in Asheville, at least that we’ve visited, tries to be something great… But sorta fails.
I don’t even wanna go into it.
This place is a little better; they’re busy, offering a lot of options, and well crafted cocktails.
Don’t get the chorizo potato chips, they are overrated and lack a much needed sauce; maybe a nice chimichuri or cilantro aioli, but the chorizo itself really isn’t that good, a little hotdog-​esque.
I had him make me that grapefruit drink but without any of that gross grapefruit, I subbed the ounce of OJ and cardamom bitters for all that gross-​fruit, he wasn’t sure about it but went with it which I appreciate, adding a bit of zest on top and trying it before he brought it over. It worked and it worked well!
The small plate you absolutely need to get here, is the «Migas». It’s a Brussel sprout plate with amazing flavor finished off with a light & airy cream that melts into the dish truly rounding out all the perfectly roasted flavors and textures, the first and only truly complete dish I’ve had in Asheville.
We didn’t get to have much here at Curate as we came after a lackluster meal elsewhere, but we did finish off with some dessert of course.
The pistachio sponge cake with lemon thyme ice cream was pretty fantastic; it was light and refreshing. Surprisingly fantastic.
We’d go back while in town for sure and they stay open a bit later than other spots in this wishwashy town. I really want to love Asheville’s food scene, Curate makes me think it’s possible.

We came without a reservation on a Saturday at 7p and were so happy they could seat the two of us at the bar.
I’ve eaten a lot of tapas in Barcelona and this was totally comparable. Good to know I don’t have to go all the way to Spain for amazing tapas and an authentic experience :)
Highlight of the meal was the kumamoto salad w/​tuna, evoo, and sherry vinegar. It was perfect. We ordered 4 dishes total and by the time the last dish came out, we were totally stuffed. But, the last dish was the rossejat negro and I couldn’t stop eating because it might be my fave Spanish dish of all time. I left so full. Sadly no room for desert either.
Up to you, but I skipped the wine and cocktails and went straight for cava because cava.

One of my colleagues told me about this place and after doing some research, I knew it as a place I had to try for myself. James Beard award aside, you have got to make a reservation (you can’t really get in without one) and try this place. It’s nestled in the middle of some other restaurants so if you’re not careful, you might just pass it. The exterior is a bit unassuming but as soon as you cross over the threshold, you get a sense of the passion and welcomed chaos that accompanies one of, if not THE best, restaurants in Asheville.
Like most tapas restaurants I’ve been to, I’ve been pleased at the menu selection, but Cúrate takes it a step further with vegan options that endeared me to this place even more. The service was impeccable – the courses were paced brilliantly and I loved the explanations of each dish as they brought them out.
I have no complaints whatsoever about this place and it will now be added to my list of must-​visit places when I return to Asheville.

Had such a lovely night here, make sure to have your reservations set before coming to town. We originally had bar seat reservations (open kitchen concept) but opted to grab a table instead being that there are no backs on the bar stools and it seemed very crammed.
Ordered 10 courses and loved every single one! Don’t be in a rush while dining here, spend a couple hours and enjoy both your food and the company you’re with!

Vivan las tapas en Asheville! The sign on in the window says it all «Curate — cure yourself and eat Spanish tapas». Curate is on all the foodie lists for Asheville and the chef, Katie Button, has just opened another restaurant named Nightbell on Lexington Avenue, not far from Curate.
We went to Curate on Sunday for brunch and made a reservation using Opentable had two wonderful dining experiences. The hostess is always very friendly and the restaurant has a welcoming feel as you enter. The kitchen is open and on the left side where you can sit at the bar and watch all the action or opt for a seat at a table in the back room or main room. I love the meat slicer and it reminds me of a real butcher shop or meat shop in Spain where the jamon is thinly sliced in front of you. The assortment of tapas is displayed on paper place settings and there are plenty of choices, whatever your mood. We started with the grapefruit mimosas and the Bloody Mary. Both were delicious. Just remember you can’t have drinks until noon on Sundays in NC.
We sampled the cod and potato purée served with crispy bread, the sauteed shrimp with garlic, meatballs with ham, and the pork sausages with white beans. All of these dishes were simply fantastic and so flavorful. During our second visit we had the clams cooked with cider and granny smith apples and also octopus grilled with paprika and olive oil. The servers are highly trained to explain all the specialties and recommend about tapas plates per person. The menu also has Gluten Free, Lactose Free, and Vegan options and is clearly marked for anyone with allergies with GF, LF and V. Curate is full of locals and visitors and I heard all kinds of languages. The best part is looking around the restaurant and watching everyone savor and enjoy the food and wine and conversation. It is truly one of the best restaurants. Compliments to the chef and I can’t wait to go back!

I loveeee it when I find a 5 star restaurant, when the whole experience is so amazing you simply cannot wait to go back! Curate fulfills all of these expectations!
I HIGHLY recommend reservations if you want the pleasure of eating here. I booked one over a week in advance and only had a 9:30pm dinner slot available to me on a weeknight! They do have bar seating available.
The restaurant is cozy and romantic with dinner lighting, a great modern rustic flair, and great service. An excellent option for date nights, catching up with friends, or maybe just a great lunch!
They operate on small plates or tapas style, which I personally love because I have a small stomach. Try ordering 2 – 3 plates per person and share everything amongst your party! Settle in with some delicious sangria (there’s a cava option!) or other beverage of choice and you’re bound to have a great meal!
I found every single plate I had to be delicious and am inclined to believe you can try anything here and it’ll be good. I really recommend ordering any of the cured ham plates or the «jamon» plates. There’s a few to pick from, not cheap but oh so worth it!!! Also the stuffed piquillo peppers, perfect!
I can’t wait to return and try more dishes here! The bill can really add up here but don’t let pricing deter you! Try to concentrate on the experience rather than getting bogged down by prices, everything I had was worth its money.

This is one of the best meals I’ve ever had. Now, details.
Go when you have time. No one is in a hurry here, and it’s a good thing. Every single thing is cared for. When our server first stopped by, it was to help us choose which water we wanted. The second stop was to go through the menu, which he did, in pen, on each of our menus.
We stopped him on his third pass to thank him for his knowledge of the menu, and he thanked us, because he had only worked there for a week. This speaks volumes of the training. The only time he looked at his notes was to describe the four different Spanish cheeses on our cheese plate. And we ordered five plates, had questions about several more, and questions about wine and sherry.
We ordered the cheese plate, some fried chorizo, lamb skewers, sautéed shrimp, and octopus. Every item was outstanding. Every one.
Go here. Soon. Order lots. And take your time.
And if you see Dan, tip him well…

I figured I should throw my review into the hat. All in all, Curate was a fantastic dining experience. I found the service a bit too slow for sitting at the bar and the dishes were a tad heavy on the oil. Beyond that, the food was absolutely authentic and ingredients were fresh.
The wine list was impressive. Man, I love me some red wine especially a Spanish tempranilo or anything from the Rioja region. I could gulp Curate’s wine list all night. If you are a wine-​o then you owe yourself a visit. They have beer too.
The menu can be overwhelming. And I even speak Spanish. So just ask your server how to get started. That’s the best advice I can give. Perusing through the Unilocal pics for inspiration was also helpful. I’ll give you my scoop:
Pimientos de piquillo y queso de cabra:
Get these! It’s the classic small plate you see in all the pics. Trust me, you are a fool if you pass on this. It’s a great palette-​whetter with a nice zip. It’ll set you up for the rest of your meal. A safe bet and beyond delicious.
Jamon (any variety):
I would only order this if you have a crowd of people at your table who want finger munching. It’s actually quite a bit of meat and it’s all very delicate and very good.
Pan con tomate:
You’ll never think of a tomato spread the same way again. This is a great taste of what delicious bread is like and the ultimate accompaniment to any dish you order. Actually, I only ordered the jamon for a protein topping for my pan. It’s something you should try. Very fresh. Very good.
Espinacas a la catalana:
Good but oily. The pine nuts were great and the apples add a terrific crunch. And it’s a real pretty dish to look at with its bold color. I cleared the plate despite the grease.
Tarta de pistacho:
Weird. This didn’t do it for me. And I am a foodie. You can strongly savor a strong taste of pistachios here. That’s fine, but it tastes more like putting a handful of nuts in your mouth. I found myself wondering ‘where’ the cake is. The coulis is very good and the lemon thyme ice cream makes it worth it.
I chatted it up with my neighbors at the bar. That was a great way to uncover other dishes. What did you have? Was it good? Oh, let’s try that. In fact, the community style dining is what renders this place like a true Tapas spot in Spain. Here is what I summed up:
Patatas bravas:
Supposedly very good and a must get for next time
Chistorra & chips Jose’s way:
Apparently this ‘pigs in a blanket’ concept is way better than it sounds. The server recommends with enthusiasm.
Espuma de chocolate:
Chocolate lovers heaven! This is more like a pudding /​mouse combination that is just plain decadent.
When you get a chance, walk to the back of the building and glance around downstairs. What a schmancy place to hang out with your dinner party. This spot makes it easy to pile on the plates so bring your check$book. It’s so laid back and casual… you just keep drinking… and eating… and eating. That’s what tapas is! But at $ 6 a pop it’s deceivingly cheap. A couple plates and a few refills later, you wonder how your check could be so expensive. Alas, Curate’s in the right business. very smart.
Tip: This is a narrow narrow building and very easy to miss. I walked by it a thousand times. Ask a local to help if you can’t find it. They don’t know it as Curate… pronounced COO rah tay. (Actually here don’t try to speak Spanish). Around these parts its called Karate… think martial arts. Mention the name and they’ll direct you to this hidden gem.

If you want to have a real Spanish food experience this is the place. The croquetas were like my mom’s. Everything was absolutely delicious. Best Spanish food I have had out of Spain.

Real Spanish food, the best I’ve had in the US, it’s like being home. Try the croquetas, tortilla española or any tabla de jamón or embutidos, you’ll like everything! Great experience at a reasonable price.