Xixon Spanish Cuisine

• Cuisine(s): Small Plates, Spanish, Tapas
  Hours: Sun-Thu 11am-6pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11pm
  Price: $$$
  Payment Types: All Major Credit Cards
• Attire: Casual
  Features: Patio/Sidewalk Dining, Takeout, Private Party, Catering, Wheelchair Accessible, Kid Friendly, Vegetarian Friendly, Business Dining
  Serving: Dinner, Lunch
  Alcohol: Beer/Wine
• Reservations: Accepted, Recommended for Large Parties, Not Necessary
  Parking: Meters, Valet

Description

The new, multifaceted Xixón contains a long counter where serrano hams, Manchego cheeses, and a host of other enviable imports from Spain are displayed and dispensed; a quaint and relatively quiet dining area; a wine bar replete with an enomatic system for computerized one-, three-, or five-ounce pours of a wide array of Spanish wines, perfect for the tapas experience; and a main dining area fronted by a 12-stool tapas bar. The crowd's heady buzz provides a surging soundtrack to bumblebee-like flights of white porcelain plates held aloft by waiters as they weave through the room. Atop those plates: bright, colorful, authentic tapas, just like they serve in Spain. There are ten chilled tapas ($2 to $11) and nearly three times as many hot ones (all but a few from $5 to $10). The former includes white asparagus, white anchovies, and hefty hunks of octopus, each presented in a vibrant vinaigrette. Traipse from one fresh, simple, impeccably prepared tapa to another: slices of spicy chorizo flamed with hard apple cider; a pair of fleshy whole sardines lightly fried and served with a lemon wedge; plump, juicy littleneck clams steamed in garlicky parsley sauce; and griddled razor clams. Paella and other main courses are fine, but tapas are too good to limit in order to save room for entrées. Plus they match better with the ambiance and are way more fun to eat and to pair with wine. And make no mistake, Xixón is loads of fun. And very real. The whole experience feels just like being in Spain.