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Norwalk's Tablao Serves Up Tapas, Spanish Cuisine On Washington Street

NORWALK, Conn. — A new Spanish-Mediterranean restaurant, which combines elements of traditional and innovative cooking, is now serving up tapas and Spanish cuisine on SoNo’s vibrant Washington Street.

South Norwalk's Tablao is now serving up tapas and Spanish cuisine on Washington Street.

South Norwalk's Tablao is now serving up tapas and Spanish cuisine on Washington Street.

Photo Credit: Jay Polansky

Galo Aleman, who owns Tablao Wine Bar & Restaurant along with Juan ‘Vinny’ Gonzalez, said the restaurant goes back to the old basis of Spanish cuisine while being open to “new dishes, new recipes, new ways of doing things.”

The Tablao experience is much like one found along the café lined streets of Seville — and other communities in Spain, according to its owners. “You can go anywhere in Spain and you will find tapas,” Aleman said.

With tapas, Aleman said a diner can try many different dishes and order more of what they like without filling up. “It’s completely different than having a regular dining experience,” Aleman said.

Aleman said his favorite dish on the menu is calamari a la plancha. The restaurant uses a sort of “Andalusian George Forman Grill” to prepare its dishes. “It’s not like the traditional grill,” Aleman said, adding that their grill keeps traditional flavors concentrated and doesn’t leave grill marks.

The restaurant also features an extended happy hour to 7 p.m. — along with late night bites.

The restaurant’s kitchen is headed by Chef Raul Gonzalez, formerly of the popular Meson Galacia in Norwalk.

Tablao is located on a street chock full of restaurants. While Aleman said “it’s a good thing to have so many options in one little street,” he said Tablao is the only restaurant to offer authentic Spanish dining.

And should one expect more restaurants from Aleman and Gonzalez?

“This is our main focus now,” Aleman said. But once everything falls into place, he said, “why not open another one?”

For more information on Tablao, visit its website here. Tablao is located at 86 Washington St. in Norwalk.

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