Importante Bodega Bar

Absolutely loved our Valentine's Day dinner at Importante! The paella was divine, and the Importante Salad was a delightful surprise. The ambiance was perfect for a romantic evening, and the service was top-notch. The wine selection complemented the meal perfectly. Can't wait to return for another memorable dining experience!

First of all, I am french. Being a neighbor of Spain, i know what true tapas are and it is exactly what we have in Importante.
I went there with friends and we ordered a couple of different dishes and wines. Portions are not huge but they are meant to be shared. It’s why it’s fun. We had spanish tortilla (potatoes omelette), pintxos Pan tumaca (bread with tomato and olive oil), Serrano ham and a plate of spanish cheeses (Oh boy! Their blue cheese Cabrales has some character! Delicious but not recommended for sensitive palates!)
One of my favorites are the patatas bravas (fried potatoes). Crispy outside, soft inside with the aioli sauce (garlic mayo) or their spicy home made sauce, it is simple but it makes the job!
And here comes the hidden gem of the menu! The Jamon Iberico Pata Negra! Maybe some people didn’t take it because of the high price ($35) but the truth is that we have here a Product of Exception! This ham is coming from spanish black pigs raised with chestnut or acorn. Ham is cured for up to 48 months. The process gives a rich nutty flavor with lingering taste in your mouth! And the pata negra means it is the black label, so the highest grade of the Jamon Iberico (spanish ham). It is basically what caviar is to fish eggs or A5 Waggyu is to beef… It is « la crème de la crème ». Export from Spain is limited and they are hard to find.
My very humble advice. Go with your family and friends! The dinner will go beyond food. With an adequate red spanish wine, you will get « Wow!! » or «Oh my God! » or « it stays in my mouth!! ». Then it becomes an experience, a memory you are sharing. For me, it will worth every penny

This place is what Carytown needed! Off the beaten path from your typical wine and cocktail bar with an assortment of delicious Spanish tapas. We had a little bit of everything but there is definitely a lot more that we wanted to try. I highly recommend this place if you’re looking for a unique experience. They are also very accommodating for larger parties, the second floor is spacious with plenty of seating.

I didn’t manage to get many pictures because everything was so good, we couldn’t wait to eat it! Each of the tapas we tried was amazing but the Spanish Omelet and Cod Croquettes were the favorites. The wine tasting was an amazing value, and the Winter wine cocktail with gin foam was like nothing I’ve ever had before. Service at the bar was wonderful even with being such a new restaurant, and a full house to boot. Will definitely be back to try to rest of the menu!