Tasca Brava on Glenwood South

Raleigh’s critically acclaimed authentic Spanish tapas restaurant, Tasca Brava, has come to Glenwood South. Owner, creator, chef, and waiter Juan Samper has closed his North Raleigh location and reopened less than a month later next to Brooklyn Heights Bar in Glenwood South.

The term “tapas” has been largely Americanized, (and some say bastardized) but Tasca Brava is the real deal. I wouldn’t do this place any justice by trying to explain any more.

This move was a well kept secret, but the doors are now open in the former Bistro 607 space.

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15005/23 09:15 AM

Actually, I’d love to hear an explanation of what real deal tapas are. My only experience with them, really, is at Red Room. How do the two restaurants’ tapas differ?

RaleighRob05/23 01:15 PM

Um...wait a minute. Is that the location of Bistro 607?? Please don’t tell me they closed!

tom4nash05/25 03:46 PM

Apparently, they didn’t close so much as they were made an offer they couldn’t refuse. They story making the rounds here in the industry on Glenwood is that the new owners basically walked in, made an offer, and wrote the check. It happened really fast.

I got a basic confirmation from Henry the other night at Globe but, as usual, he was rather tight lipped about the gory details. Some things never change. ;^)

As it is, Henry and Heath are down to one restaurant, Globe, while the chef, staff, and equipment will stay with the new owners. Same faces, new food…

RaleighRob05/27 07:40 AM

^ Wow. What an interesting development. Well, I will look forward to trying Tasca sometime.
But for an intimate, French-style, special occasion dinner, nothing could beat 607. It will be missed.

Ashton05/30 08:12 AM

I checked out Tasca Brava last night - wonderful!! Super friendly staff, and food was excellent. Definitely give it a shot if you get a chance!

Rusty06/03 09:14 AM

This seems like a much better location for their restaurant than the previous location on Falls of the Neuse. I’ll definitely add them to the ever-growing “to try” list.

Jennifer06/05 03:37 PM

This is so great! I missed this article until now because I was in Spain, having some tapas. I know Tasca Brava was doing horribly marooned in N. Raleigh in a weird dark strip mall. Definitely support this place because the staff IS really nice (hugs the first time I went to the old location), the food IS really awesome and we’re lucky to have authentic tapas in our town.

Sean06/06 12:10 PM

Well, I hope it is better than the Falls Of Neuse location. My fiancee and I went there late last year. She is from Barcelona, Spain and she wasn’t too impressed. The owner roams around with walkie talkie headphones and treats customers rather scruffy. Lets hope he has hired someone else to maintain day to day business...and upped the kitchen staff.

Tapas in Spain is the opposite of what he’s bastardized his resturaunt as. Here it is whoafully over priced...In Spain Tapas is a bar for the most part that offers affordable or even free finger foods. I don’t even think the guy is Spanish. I hope it is better than the North Raleigh incarnation.

Kather78906/08 07:12 PM

We recently had dinner at the “new” Tasca and we had very nice experience. The waitstaff was wonderful and the food was great. I do agree that local restaurants tend overprice the tapas . I found the owner to be incredibly nice and very attentive. He circulated throughout the restaurant (I did not interpret it as roaming). The big downside to the meal was having to split up the check for 7 people ourselves since they do not even have a computer...yikes!

Paul06/09 05:37 PM

Went here on Thursday eve....The food was very good (Tapas) but the service was awful. Perhaps it was just because its reopened but It was really bad. I will go back for the food but not the service!

HTTOYO06/12 05:02 PM

As a long-time customer of T.B. in North Raleigh, I was elated to find that it had reopened on Glenwood. Whereas another reviewer complained about the service, my service-- apparently on the same evening-- was impeccable. I especially enjoyed the stuffed red pepper tapa, on a bed of greens, and the grouper, on a bed of rice, with vegetables. These dishes were probably the best tapa and entree I had had at T.B. The “presentation” of both items was also superior. These dishes were complemented with a delicious gazpacho and a sorbet of locally-grown strawberries. Highly recommended.

anne07/10 10:36 AM

They’re not open for lunch :( At least not for the summmer.

Tomas07/11 12:38 PM

I don’t know what the gentleman that has the fiancee from Barcelona is talking about. TB is very much serving authentic Spanish tapas. I would also like to know what part of Spain is serving comparable tapas as freebies. To be sure there are freebies available but they are usually potato chips or nuts or if you’re lucky some olives or a small piece of bread with an anchovy on top. Going to Tasca Brava is indeed an “escape to Spain”. My travels in Spain have taken me to all corners of that wonderful country and we are lucky to have a place like Tasca Brava to go to until we can get back on Spanish soil.
Portions at TB are larger than what is considered “tapas"(a small snack) in Spain. They are the size of “raciones"(similar but a larger plate).

John N Wall07/18 07:27 PM

What do you mean Heath is down to one restaurant? Is EVOO closed? Tasca Brava is wonderful, by the way. Great food, great service, a worthy addition to Glenwood South.

cat07/18 10:10 PM

Yes, Heath sold his share of EVOO. EVOO is still operated by Jean Paul and still open.

MMI08/25 12:19 AM

Fan-flippin’-tastic!!

Like most of you, my idea of what “tapas” are is largely Americanized. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as long as the small plates served as such are still done well. After eating at Tasca Brava, though, I am compelled to point out that once you go with **authentic** Spanish tapas, you’ll hardly be able to look at your previous experiences the same way.

Try whatever you like here, but do your taste buds a favor and order the fig dessert special while it’s available. Couldn’t-possibly-be-more-ripe fresh figs dressed with a creamy (and mild) goat cheese and balsamic/sherry reduction. Far more subtle than you’d imagine, but the absolutely perfect dessert when you’re feeling full and would rather treat yourself than gorge.

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Mark Saturday, May 24, 2008