Westpost newcomer El Mercat Bar de Tapas, which opened in September, offers a bonanza of Spanish small plates. But my heart belongs to the roast chicken and chorizo paella topped with dollops of salsa verde. I’m a sucker for socarrat—the crusty, crunchy layer of rice at the bottom of the pan.
This is the second location of El Mercat, which chef George Rodrigues and his wife, Wanessa Alves, debuted in Rockville, Maryland, in 2022. The name is sentimental: Rodrigues proposed to Alves in 2015 at Barcelona’s huge outdoor market, El Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria.
Rodrigues brings plenty of culinary experience to the table, having worked for noted chefs Jose Garces and Michael Schlow, and as chef of the D.C. tapas restaurant Boqueria from 2018 to 2021.
Alves designed the 4,057-square-foot space, which seats 120, including a 24-seat bar. The couple plans to introduce a 40-seat patio next spring, but in the meantime is offering rink-side hot chocolate and churros to folks visiting Westpost’s outdoor skating rink throughout the winter.
The menu features a stunning 32 tapas, including meat, fish and vegetarian options ($8-$18), along with five paellas ($16-$46) and a handful of entrees and desserts. Standouts include the gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp), and a custardy Spanish tortilla layered with potatoes and served with saffron and garlic mayo. I can also recommend the crab and artichoke dip with goat cheese, cod fritters with aioli, and lamb meatballs with tomato sauce and Manchego.Â
The seafood paella, its bomba rice black from squid ink, is teeming with mussels, clams, shrimp and squid. And don’t miss the jamonero cart for Iberico be Bellota ham sliced tableside. For dessert ($10), try the Basque cheesecake or churros stuffed with Nutella or dulce de leche.