Subscribe in a reader

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Suba

Suba Tapas Restaurant, Harrisburg Pennsylvania © Susqueats.com 2009

In recent years, Tapas have gained popularity in the United States. Tapas have come to mean "small plates" here in the States, but the exact origin of this type of dish is up for debate. Some argue that the literal translation comes from the Spanish verb "tapar," which means "to cover," and that the original tapas were slices bread or cheese that tavern-goers covered their glasses of sherry with to fend off fruit flies. Others say that there once was a far-away king who needed a small bite of something to stomach his drink, and so he decreed that everyone order and eat "small plates" with their drinks.

Not only the first tapas bar to open in Harrisburg, Suba also claims to be the only authentic tapas bar in the city. Suba is located on North Street above Mangia Qui.

Today, tapas in the United States have become a meal in-and-of themselves; diners order a variety of small dishes to create a full meal.

Pictured here is an order of Gambas, which is sizzling shrimp, garlic, parsley and lemon.

For a snack with some flair, try the Queso Flambeado. Literally translated, "flaming cheese" is a plate of house-made blue tortillas accompanied by queso fresco and chorizo melted together and lit ablaze.

Suba's menu has over 25 tapas choices in all, so there is plenty of variety.

In fact, some of its menu items you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere else, such as this Jamon Serrano ham. This is a lean ham, which is cured in the mountains of Spain for 12-18 months, has a rich nutty flavor.

In addition to its selection of tapas, Suba has over half a dozen specialty tacos. Tacos include offerings like the Coco Loco (lightly battered shrimp, fresh pineapple salsa, coconut chutney, Viatnamese cilantro, and nopalitos on a warm flour tortilla) or the Cordero (roasted lamb shish, hummous, apricot chipotle glaze, and watercress on a warm flour tortilla), or this Suba Taco (fried crispy tilapia, salsa rosa, avocado, mango cilantro salsa and shredded cabbage on a warm flour tortilla).

Pictured with the taco is one of Suba's specialty drinks--the Firefly, which is house-made, habenero-infused silver tequila, mango, Bacardi Limon, Midori, lime and mint. The drink menu at Suba changes seasonally and includes Spanaish Sangrias, top- shelf Rums and Tequilas, Mojitos and their own specialty concoctions.