Bar Ravel

Bar Raval in Toronto is a renowned Spanish-inspired bar celebrated for its stunning Gaudí-esque wooden interior and vibrant tapas menu.

After finishing up time at the Royal Ontario Museum, I browsed a text message I’d received from 1 Hotel Toronto. Now, this what I absolutely loved about the hotel. Not only do they send extremely helpful concierge check in texts to guests (just as good as Villa Copenhagen in Copenhagen), but the text have outstanding recommendations.

In this case, I’d spoken to the front desk staff about some restaurants a few friends had recommended to me along with my estimated itinerary for the following day. They’d given me great feedback and followed up with another text message recommending a few things. The first was 1 Kitchen for Wine and Dine special with live music in the lobby. The second recommendation was for Bar Ravel. Angelo texted me and said that it “was a delicious tapas spot with great cocktail list and a short drive from the hotel.”

Needless to say, I was all in.

When I arrived to Bar Ravel, I felt like I was instantly transported back to Barcelona. The wavy Gaudy-esque curved design of the wood was gorgeous. I immediately hoped that the light bites would be as good as what I had at Tapa Del Toro at TorvehallerneKBH. And oh yes, they very much were.

Getting a seat at the bar, I settled in and browsed the menu. Looking at cocktails, my eyes immediately zeroed in on the VICKY CHRISTINA (Flor De Cana 4 Yr & Wray And Nephew Rum, Lbv Port, Campari, Fermented Coffee, Passionfruit & Lime).

Yes, it was because it reminded me of the movie Vicky Christina Barcelona, which is one of the rare Woody Allen films I enjoyed.

Next up were two JAMON CROQUETTAS and one order of the STRACCIATELLA & BOQUERONES.

These little tapas were… well, I was warned that I should get two jamon croquettas because I would be craving just one more if I got just one.

I was warned well. These were absolutely delicious.

What I enjoyed the most about the stracciatella and boquerones is that the slivers of fish were the  perfect amount of salt to the cream of the stracciatella. Frankly, I could have easily ordered more. However, I wanted to save room for dinner at Harriet’s Rooftop, back at 1 Hotel Toronto.

As I left Bar Raval, I was in gratitude for choosing the best hotel that cared about their guests enough to send great, curated suggestions that were actually delicious.

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