Just Like Spain

JUST THE FACTS

• WHAT:  Don Quijote Restaurant
• WHERE:  704 S. Second St.
• HOURS:  Tuesday-Thursday 5-10 p.m.; Friday-Sunday 5-11 p.m.
• PRICE:  All food items $7-$16
• CALL:  (414) 221-9850
• WEBSITE:  www.donquijotemilw.com

The small-plate dining concept has become popular in recent years. But the tapas phenomenon isn't new to Elena Salas, the Madrid-born owner of Don Quijote restaurant, a Spanish tapas restaurant that has been serving local diners since 1996.

Walking into Don Quijote is about as close as you'll get to experiencing a real slice of Spain in Milwaukee. Flags, bullfighting posters and large dolls dressed up in full body armor (like the conquistadores of old) are among the decorative details. Even more authentic is that on Sundays at 6 p.m. you can see a live flamenco show with a dancer and a guitarist while filling up on Spanish wine and food.

A bar is located downstairs and the dining area is upstairs, where Salas' daughter, Tabatha, dances each week. In the summer, an outdoor deck area seats up to 20 patrons who want to enjoy a breath of fresh air alongside a cold glass of sangria (traditional Spanish drink made with red or white wine mixed with brandy, sugar, soda water and fresh fruits).

Extensive menu

The restaurant's menu is quite extensive, offering hot and cold tapas, entrees like paella (chicken, seafood or sausage cooked in saffron rice) and desserts all made to order by Salas herself.

On the night of ¡Aquí! Milwaukee's visit, the dishes sampled were gazpacho (traditional Andalucian tomato soup infused with cucumber and garlic flavors), tortilla Española (Spanish potato quiche made with eggs, onions, red and green peppers and garlic), mejillones a la marinera (mussels with Spanish sausage and garlic) and the queso fundido (melted goat cheese with honey and walnuts; it's also offered with garlic and parsley). Each tapa arrived separately, allowing enough time to enjoy each one. However, each was largely portioned, so pace yourself if you're still expecting an entrée.

The gazpacho arrived first, a bowl of robust tomato flavor with a nice amount of garlic flavoring. Next up: the tortilla Española, made so as to allow each of the flavors to stand out. The mejillones a la marinera provided a large serving of mussels and Spanish sausage. The garlic and olive oil made a satisfying sauce that wasn't overpowering or greasy.

Then came the queso fundido, which is made with melted cheese and walnuts served with French bread.

While we were too full to sample an entree, there were five desserts that tempted us. We tried the pears in cinnamon syrup, warm pears in a sweet, cinnamon-infused syrup. This was one dish one hoped would have arrived in a larger portion.

The move to Walker's Point

Salas was born in Madrid and fell in love with cooking at a young age, but never quite thought about opening a restaurant. At 18, she moved to Caracas, Venezuela, to work as pharmacist. After her husband died, an exchange student who was from Milwaukee, along with her children, helped convince Salas to relocate here, which she did. Soon after, she opened Don Quijote on the east side.

In 2003, Salas moved the restaurant to a two-story space on 2nd Street in Walker's Point, which has of late been attracting a bevy of new eateries such as La Merenda.

Don Quijote received some mixed reviews after its move to Walker's Point, but business has been steady. Salas says she gets a lot of her old east side customers, but admits to not being as busy as she used to.

For those who haven't yet discovered Don Quijote, it is a great place to enjoy a satisfying meal with good wine, reminiscent of a night out in Spain.