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La Tasca Tapas Restaurant in Arlington Heights offers an authentic taste of Spain right in the heart of Illinois. Specializing in traditional Spanish cuisine, this inviting eatery masterfully captures the essence of tapas dining—a perfect way to experience a variety of flavors through small, shareable plates that spark conversation and delight the palate.
The menu is a vibrant celebration of Spanish culinary craftsmanship, featuring an impressive array of hot tapas that cater to all tastes. Vegetable lovers should not miss the Patatas Bravas, crispy fried potatoes cloaked in a creamy cayenne sauce that delivers a gentle kick. The Queso De Cabra Al Horno enchants with its herbed goat cheese baked in tomato basil sauce, served alongside toasted baguettes swirled with a garlic and olive oil puree—pure indulgence in every bite. For those craving fresh, lighter fare, the Verduras Huertanas offers perfectly grilled vegetables dressed in basil vinaigrette, a gluten-free and vegetarian delight that’s as colorful as it is flavorful.
Seafood aficionados will find themselves enchanted by dishes like the Pulpitos A La Gallega, where Galician-style charred octopus is tender and smoky, accompanied by paprika, oregano, lemon, and red potatoes—a harmonious fusion of flavors that transports you straight to the coast of Spain. The Gambas Al Ajillo are a standout, featuring sautéed garlic shrimp infused with wine, olive oil, and chiles, creating a succulent, aromatic dish that customers rave about.
Adding to the dining experience are the inventive “Cocas,” Spanish flatbreads topped with tempting combinations such as spinach, tomato, pine nuts, golden raisins, and manchego cheese or the indulgent coca de chorizo with spicy sausage and green bell peppers. These flatbreads offer vibrant textures and flavors, perfect for sharing or enjoying as a satisfying snack.
Atmospherically, La Tasca blends an upscale yet comfortable ambiance, making it ideal for both lively gatherings and intimate dinners. The lighting, music, and attentive service come together seamlessly, as praised by many patrons. While one guest, Erick, found the nightlife-vibe music a bit surprising for a restaurant setting, others appreciated the calm and knowledgeable service that enhances the overall experience. Staff like Mike have been noted for their excellent menu recommendations, ensuring every visit feels personalized and attentive.
Portions here tend to be generous, especially for a tapas concept, making it a wonderful choice for sharing and indulging without feeling rushed or limited. Whether you're savoring the bacon-wrapped dates—an unexpected, rich combination that can convert even the most hesitant eater—or enjoying the veggie paella that bursts with earthy, robust flavors, La Tasca invites you to slow down and relish each bite.
If you have an adventurous spirit and a craving for genuine Spanish cuisine, La Tasca Tapas Restaurant offers a rewarding journey through Spain’s beloved tapas culture. From the multi-layered flavors of their seafood dishes to the comforting warmth of their baked cheeses and the satisfying crunch of their flatbreads, each dish is a celebration of culinary passion and tradition.
In summary, La Tasca is more than just a restaurant—it’s a destination for immersive, flavorful dining where every dish tells a story. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Spanish food or trying it for the first time, this Arlington Heights gem delivers an authentic, delicious, and memorable experience.
Service was great, music...nightclub? and food, very good. The smaller tapas we tried were delicious - the bacon wrapped dates, stuffed mushrooms, and empanadas. The seafood paella was decent, but really wished the rice was a bit crisped at the bottom of the pan. I would definitely recommend this upscale tapas though for trying out a variety of smaller dishes.
First time I had Spanish cuisine - Tapas (small Spanish dishes) All dishes are small and shareable. We ordered too many I think, but we finished all of them since everything is so tasty. I was never fan of dates but bacon wrapped dates in sauce are super delicious. Potatoes with cayenne sauce are must have with other dishes, it just goes perfectly. Dishes don't come together to the table, it comes as soon as it ready, which I don't usually like but I was patient enough to wait for all of it to come. Probably the best dish is the Goat cheese in tomato sauce, so thick, rich and complex, goes great with toasted bread. Octopus is also very fresh and spiced well. Only dish we didn't like was the fried eggplant, it was very sweet from honey, so we didn't finish that one. Beef tenderloin was tender and fries were like chips from Europe.. Very interesting place and great menu! Only disappointment was cheesecake, it's not even close to any other cheesecake I tried, it could be different style, but it just wasn't prepared good. Service is friendly and easy going. Huge recommendation for this restaurant!
An upscale Spanish place in downtown Arlington Heights. Delicious food with a very wide spread of options for vegetarians. We tried a few hot tapas and then feasted on the veggie Paella which was fantastic. Definitely big on the proportions for a party of two but it was absolutely worth the wait. Would definitely come back again and recommend this place to anyone looking to try out Spanish cuisine.
Dined around 9pm on a Wednesday. Very quiet. A few tables and bar guests. Waiter, Mike, was quick to greet me and get a drink order. He had excellent menu knowledge and gave us some great suggestions. We opted for the special. Five tapas of your choice, cold or hot and dessert for $45pp. The grilled octopus with red potatoes was excellent as well as the assorted aged Spanish cheeses. The stuffed mushrooms with golden raisins, chorizo and sage were excellent. The Sangria was average nothing special. The baked banana and pistachio ice cream was good. Overall it was a good experience. Good food and excellent service. I would definitely try this restaurant again and explore the many tapas choices they have or paella.
Overall food are very delicious. Especially the calamari, so tender and tasty. Seafood patella has various big mount seafood in it. The portion for two is quite big and enough for sharing with 4 peoples. But the taste can be better.
Right next to the tracks, this beautifully decorated Tapas restaurant offers a variety of fresh seafood options on small shareable plates. The main event was the seafood paella, which typically takes 30-40 minutes to prepare. When it came out, our server carefully divided it into potions for all members of our party. Everything was absolutely delicious and fresh tasting. Definitely will be back next time I’m in town.