Earlier this year, I went to Spain for the first time and fell in love with pintxos and tapas. Of the two, I prefer tapas, because it really stands for everything I love: small quantity, being able to try multiple dishes, and the ability to lazily pick at one's food while focusing on conversation with friends.
Sydney had not had a strong tapas game previously - there were a few tapas restaurants, but they focused on what Australians think tapas should be (garlic prawns, meat balls - sound familiar?), in a regular restaurant setting, and the meal always end up being pretty poor value.
The arrival of Bar Topa is an absolute game-changer. Nestled in the Ivy complex, Bar Topa only seats about 30 people. The prime position is along the bar where the bar items are displayed - you have the best view of the kitchen, and your dishes are put on top of the glass display cabinet in a charming, casual manner, giving you the optimal elbow room in a pint sized bar.
After trying their food, I think it is the best place in Sydney for casual Spanish cuisine - it is every bit as good as the well-known tapas restaurants I visited in Barcelona, and the price point delivers unbeatable value.
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| La Perla, $8 |
The cocktails at Bar Topa come in half-pours, the idea being you can try multiple (just like tapas!). I can certainly get on board with this - except when I sipped my La Perla, I realised it packs quite a punch. This is an absolutely clean tasting cocktail bursting with citrus oil, a blend of Altos Reposado tequila and pear liqueur.
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| Iberico ham, $20 |
Spain's most famous cured good is the iberico ham. Bar Topa has a few legs of cured ham hanging from the ceiling, which yields these oily, dreamy goodness. The flavour is concentrated, the texture is melty - a must have.
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| Patatas Bravas, $10 |
Even looking at these potatoes gives you an idea of how crunchy their skin is, and how creamy the interior is. These potatos are packed full of flavour, the salsa bravas delivering a satisfying punch of garlic and paprika.
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| Cuttlefish, $10 |
Delicately flavoured, these cuttlefish are cooked so perfectly that there is not even a whisper of chewiness. Perfect for picking a strand or two lazily in between exchanging stories.
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| Mussels, $12 |
Taking full advantage of Australia's top quality seafood, the mussel dish features plump mussels which are juicy and delicately savoury. The best part is mopping up the mussels juice with the basket of bread that came with the jamon!
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| Mushrooms & yolk, $15 |
One of the most unforgettable dishes I had in Barcelona was slivers of fried potatoes mixed with egg yolk, which lent it an unbelievably creamy texture. At Bar Topa, mushrooms are given the same treatment - softening the earthiness of mushrooms while giving it a beautiful glaze.
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| Croquetta - Spinach and mushroom, $5 each |
Sinful? Absolutely. Regrets? Zero. The croquettas flavours change from time to time (yes, I went twice in a week so I'd know) - so when something catches your fancy, make sure you get it fast.
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| Cheesecake, $8 |
Decadent yet delightfully light and fluffy, the addition of berry compote and fresh strawberries makes this the perfect end to a perfect meal.
Score: 5/5
Price: $30pp can get you a pretty decent feed (not including alcohol)
Address: 4 Palings Lane, Sydney
Website: https://merivale.com/venues/bartopa/
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