ot to be confused with the identically named restaurant by the airport, the month old Café Barcelona, from the same people who brought you Tapas y Tintos, should quickly become a beloved local hang out for Spanish food lovers in Miami. And that would be a big feat because there are a lot of Spanish and Latin restaurants in Miami. The place is cozy, which is a nice word for "small". Aside from the long bar, there's only one little table. But size mongers need not fear; what this place lacks in size it makes up for with authentic and satisfying Spanish cuisine.

The menu is mostly made up of that ever-so-hip food trend – tapas. In case you don't know what tapas (because, I assume, you've been living under a rock with your fingers in your ears), the place offers a selection of small plates from which you are meant to order a few and share them among your dining party. It's much more social and lively than what you would get at most fine dining establishments, which makes sense because the place doubles as an intimate party space.

The specialty is pinchos (or pintxos). The tasty canapés which originated in the Basque region (rather than Catalonia, as the name of the place might suggest) are essentially bread with toppings, but the place is so serious about the things that they offer more than 40 different varieties. But the menu isn't limited to just pinchos, not by a longshot. The menu reads like a checklist of Spanish delicacies. Some of the highlights include Hamon Iberico (cured ham with garlic and tomato), eggplant topped with goat cheese and red peppers, and pork with caramelized apples. The recipes are simple, but the flavors are rich and complex, and are all available for less than $6 a pop.

Like a werewolf (a Spanish werewolf named Carlos), Café Barcelona undergoes a transformation once the sun goes down. At that point a DJ comes in, the drinks start flowing, and people start moving. DJs play a mix of 80s music, 70s funk, and Spanish-language rock and roll. Different varieties are made daily with both red and white wine and with fresh fruit. Plus, the offerings on extensive cocktail list are made with freshly-squeezed fruit juice and pack quite a punch.

So pull a seat up to the bar, order a few of your favourite drinks and sample all of the finest flavor creations until you a) Fall down, b) puke, or c) fall and puke. If you've got a little more endurance, this tapas bar stays open until five in the morning (seriously). Visiting Café Barcelona is like a trip to a small town Spanish bar without the dysentery.