I don’t spend much time in the Northern Liberties, but lately this hasn’t been for lack of options. A Saturday night devoid of plans led to a bit of wandering that dropped us at a place I’ve only been once, but am fond of: Bar Ferdinand. Spanish food has really taken off of late, and Bar Ferdinand is a cheaper alternative to Amada for those who might like to partake more regularly.
Bar Ferdinand is, of course, a tapas bar. I’m amazed by how well the tapas bar concept has done, though over here in the States it differs from the true Spanish style. In Spain, one can spend many consecutive evenings tapas bar hopping. The various bars and restaurants will each have some tapas that they specialize in, and perhaps a certain selection of wine and beer. Once you find a seat or a place at the bar, you order your drink (which is typically smaller than what we’re served over here in the States), and they ask what small plate of food you would like to accompany it. Very frequently this is included in the price of the drink, though not always.
This is a great combination, since you’re never drinking without eating, and the portions are smaller. You can proceed through an entire night, enjoying the sardines at one bar, the calamari at the next, the pork at the third, the excellent olives at the fourth, and the fantastic potato tortilla at the fifth, without drinking yourself into a gutter. This can go on rather a while, and often costs no more than €5 per bar. Outside of Spain, the experience ends up being more equivalent to a Spanish dim sum, minus the cow tendon and people wandering around with carts.
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