¿CóMO? Taperia, Mount Pleasant’s award-winning Spanish tapas bar, is back with the third edition of its beloved Taste Our Travels dining series. Available from January 22 to February 9, 2025, as part of Dine Out Vancouver’s Tasty Events program, guests can experience a special seven-course menu for two by executive chef Rafael Racela – all inspired by the team’s recent visit through Spain’s Basque region and Cantabria. Hosted exclusively at one of Como’s intimate bar seats, bookings can be made at comotaperia.com.
In addition to the bar seats, one table of six per night will be available for $525++, which includes dishes from the Taste Our Travels menu, in addition to a large, sharable Txuleton steak for the table – imported directly from Spain. Guests interested can email reservations@comotaperia.com.
“The three of us – Chef Raf, my business partner Frankie, and I – had such a great trip last month to Spain. It was our best one yet,” says Shaun Layton, co-owner of ¿CóMO? Taperia. “We had the opportunity to visit as many small pintxo bars as possible, amazing world-renowned restaurants, and some small seaside spots. We even visited, Asador Etxebarri, currently #2 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024 list – a five hour experience that we all agree was the best meal of our lives.”
Other trip highlights include a visit in a small town in the hills above San Sebastien, a meal at the famous steakhouse Casa Julián de Tolosa, known for its Basque Txukleton steaks, and pintxo bars such as Ganbara, Bar Nestor, Bar Sport, Borda Beri, Gure Toki, and Cafe Bar Bilbao.
The Taste Our Travels menu ($170++ per pair), features seven tapas-style dishes inspired by the team’s favourite eats from Spain. Optional beverage pairings are available for an additional $65 per person.
TASTE OUR TRAVELS
Pintxos
Bocarte Tartlets
anchoa with tomate; boquerones with avocado
Inspired by Pujadó Solano, Santoña
Chorizo
housemade Iberico chorizo
Inspired by Asador Etxebarri, Axpe
Patatas
creamy potato gratin with truffle
Inspired by El Globo, Bilbao
Pulpo
octopus & bacalao with aioli
Inspired by Hemeretzi Jatetxea, San Sebastián
Sopa
seafood soup, clams, mussels, cod
Inspired by Kaie Kaipe, Getaria
Risotto con Champiñon
orzo ‘risotto’ mushrooms, egg yolk
Inspired by Ganbara, and Borda Berri, San Sebastián
Pescado
grilled fish in Pil Pil sauce
Inspired by Asador El Tronky, Pedreña
Vaka
txuleta, housemade piquillo peppers
Inspired by Casa Julian, Tolosa
Ice Cream
cream cheese ice cream, carrot, smoked walnuts
Inspired by Asador Etxebarri, Axpe
In addition to restaurants and bars, the team also visited Como’s favourite Basque cider producer, Isastegi in Talosa, and Como’s conservas partner Pujadó Solano in Santoña.
“The Basque region, with its lush hills and ocean towns, was definitely a highlight this year,” adds Racela. “Exploring different parts of Spain has been incredible, and it’s exciting to bring that inspiration back to Como. This time, we discovered some of the simplest yet most exceptional food and ingredients we’ve ever had in Spain.I can’t wait for guests to try our new Taste Our Travels menu.”
Taste Our Travels can now be booked online.
¿CóMO? Taperia’s full menu will also be available for all diners. Regular reservations can be booked through Como’s website at www.comotaperia.com.