Tapas are Alive in Kansas City!

Being born in Spain, I have a deep appreciation for "tapas" and even more affection for the taste explosion that reeeeally good tapas can offer your pallet and your hunger.  If you've never experienced a tapas joint (what?!), then please allow the well-renowned (James Beard award winner) Michael Smith to indulge your tasty curiosity at Extra Virgin, in Kansas City!  He studied mainly in France and brought his expertise to us by using the finest ingredients around.

Extra Virgin makes contemporary tapas fare an instant classic.  They transport you to new heights with the artistic elements around the center bar that pull you towards their cocktail magicians and a view to the wood-fired oven that blazes out new creations every few minutes.   I, for one, couldn't pull my eyes from the way the bartender used homemade bitters in my drink and then adorned it with a basil leaf needled through a lemon slice.  I suppose the alcohol content made it seem more majestic as it quickly became the artistic centerpiece to the outrageous tapas that surrounded it.  This simple perfection is what they’re known for.

 Let me preface the description of their food by saying that this is one of the most innovative and fearless kitchens I've seen in Kansas City.  Roasted marrow bones, duck tongue tacos and grilled beef tongues are just a few of their bold offerings.  Please don't be scared!  Michael's a pro, and there's no use in being boring and getting the same ol’ thing.  Seriously folks, the chicken tenders with gravy are down the road (not that I don't adore that), but here, the sky opens up and new flavors sprinkle down like rain on a blistering hot day.  Open your mouth and feel renewed. 

You can start feeling alive with their ahi tuna ceviche tacos that are packed with avocado-wasabi flavor and cutely served in a perfectly crisp taro shell. Genius!  These melted me instantly, and with the slight squeeze of lime, my eyes spontaneously closed and my heart prepared for the perfect bite.  Who doesn't like mac-n-cheese?  Well, add the spice of a poblano, and the thermogenic effect kicks up the flavor to a new height!  Here's an adventure for the Midwest: order the grilled octopus, and sink your teeth into the complementary flavors of the charred radicchio, sweet chickpeas and the crunch of marcona almonds.  It's difficult to make octopus good--but this place does it right.  These are just a few of the tapas tasted... but not one failed in flavor and charm.  This is certainly no place to be timid, so ask what is recommended, and allow the chefs to do it “their way.” 

Do yourself a favor, and ask the server what he would order for dessert.  Ours just put his head down and placed his hand on his heart as he walked away muttering what seemed like a prayer.  And prayer it most certainly was, because what came to our table was a homemade, plum crostata with a pineapple sorbet melting on top, served with a night cap of sangria... OLÉ, I was home. 

Tapas and cocktails are a sacred tradition handed down from Spain and certainly something I hold dear; however, Extra Virgin does a beautiful job of mixing flavors from different regions of the world, adding their own flare and grounding it beautifully here in the soul of Kansas City.

 Head over for their half price happy hour M-F, 11:30 am-6 pm, for their best deals.

Please visit their website to indulge your curiosity:

http://extravirginkc.com/