Bearing it All and Going Tapas

Do you love Spanish food? Have you traveled to Spain and are now infected with the Spanish food bug? Tired of being ripped off with outrageously expensive tapas that are only mediocre in authenticity and flavor? Then, I have a secret for you. If you are in the Los Angeles area, there is a small tapas restaurant that is ridiculously authentic and amazingly incredible. 

Viva Madrid! is the Restaurant. It is located in the little downtown of Claremont, CA. You might even walk by it and never know it's there. It's like it's an intentionally kept secret. At the end of the little downtown strip there is a small hallway that recedes back into blackness. You must walk through this low lit small merchants' area and look to your right. You will see an ox blood red door. If it's after 5pm, open it. Walk in. Sit down. Order. 

The tapas list is phenomenal. How can there be so many tapas at one place? Don't question it, just order the food and live the experience. The melon and jamon, the assorted meat plate, the artichoke soup, the dates wrapped in bacon, the tortilla Espanola and even the paella are all fantastic. The prices are incredibly low, like they should be. In Spain, tapas are exquisite and cheap. In the US, they are rip offs. But not here. This is home. You should walk in and feel the love.

VIVA MADRID!