Casual Tapas Restaurant and Gathering Place Comes To An Emerging Wall Street Neighborhood in Norwalk, CT
December 20, 2012, Norwalk, CT: Chef /Owner Carlos Hernandez knew what he was doing when he took over the popular, upscale Meigas restaurant in Norwalk, CT in September of 2008. The restaurant, which originally opened as Meson Galicia in 1984 and subsequently changed its name to Meigas when former owner Ignacio Blanco felt a refresh was needed, set high standards for Spanish cuisine in the area, and for its unique “small plates” style of dining. Tapas menus had just begun to pop up around town back then and have since had a significant impact on how hungry Fairfield County food enthusiasts like to eat.
Recognizing a trend toward less fussy, more casual dining, and to break away from the image of its predecessor, this past November Carlos introduced his “new” restaurant, Tinto Bar & Tapas to the emerging Wall Street neighborhood in Norwalk, CT. Superior ingredients, an attractive atmosphere, attentive service, and value are at the forefront of this fun tapas bar and gathering place. Gone are the foamy fish broth concoctions, single bite teasers, and higher price points. In its place are a variety of big flavors, creative tapas, customers’ favorite dishes, and creative cocktails, all at accessible price points – all without compromising quality.
Carlos Hernandez came to the States in 1987 from his home in Guatemala when he was just seventeen. He went from milking cows on his family’s farm and making cheese, to working his way through the restaurant industry in Fairfield County, CT. The opportunity to run the summer concession stand at Penfield Beach in Fairfield was Carlos’ first foray into running his own food operation and eventually led to another concession stand café called “What’s Cooking”, located at Rowayton Point in Norwalk. The success of the two beachside eateries gave him the means by which to purchase the now called Tinto Bar & Tapas location, and the recently opened Solun Tapas Bar (March of 2012), a sister restaurant in Woodbridge, CT
Menu highlights include; Spanish charcuterie; mushroom risotto with truffle oil and manchego cheese; organic chicken and spinach empanadas with roasted garlic and guacamole; fried calamari Andalucian style; duck confit stuffed piquillo peppers; slow cooked pork belly with mango pineapple chutney, figs and port reduction; certificated hanger steak skewers with chimichurri; beer and rioja wine reduction boneless black angus short rib; Mediterranean sea bass with Catalan style spinach; and Paella Valenciana with saffron, bomba rice, tiger shrimp, clams, mussels, chorizo, pork, chicken and sofrito
Desserts are made in house and include popular renditions of traditional favorites such as tres leche cake, caramel flan, almond encrusted chocolate fondue croquettes, and Catalana Spanish saffron caramel crème custard. An extensive Spanish wine list, fresh made sangrias and festive and fruity margaritas, caipirinhas and mojitos round out the beverage program.
Tinto Bar & Tapas is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner and offers generous happy hour drink and tapas prices on weekday
10 Wall Street
Norwalk, CT
203-866-8800