Known As the “Healthiest Cuisine In the World” Tapas Papa Frita Continutes to Prepare Exquisite Spanish Meals

By admin March 26, 2014 17:54

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By: Jessica Danielle Ramirez

On the second story in Old Town Scottsdale is a European treasure. What many would see as a brick building is actually a Spanish restaurant once 3p.m. comes around.

Tapas Papa Frita has been a success for the past four years and is continuing to bring the Spanish culture, dance and food to Arizona.

The eatery is owned by Spanish Joseph Gutierrez, the first person in Arizona to own a Spanish restaurant. His daughter, Nanette Gutierrez is a waitress and welcomes each customer that dines at Tapas Papa Frita.

“My dad has always had a passion for the restaurant business and (he) wanted to bring home-cooked Spanish meals to the community,” Gutierrez said.

The restaurant begins its service at 3p.m. because part of the Spanish culture is eating a late lunch followed by a siesta (nap) and then the nightlife begins.

One can find variety of authentic Spanish meals ranging from the paellas, which is Spanish rice with vegetables, shrimp, chicken or even a light tapa such as the Jamon Serrano, or imported ham.

“Spanish food is very healthy because there is no butter; it’s always olive oil,” Gutierrez said.

Customers who dine here on the weekends are in for a real treat. Between 7p.m. and 10p.m. there is live music with professional flamenco dancers taking the stage where they tap their feet, and dance to the guitarist playing Spanish tunes.

“Flamenco is a passionate dance that we showcase here every Thursday, Friday and Saturday,” Gutierrez said.

And if a colorful dance isn’t enough to persuade you to head over, on Sunday nights a Cuban band performs on the patio and customers may get up and dance along.

Joseph physically designed the interior of the eatery to resemble the culture so that customers feel as though they are dining in Spain. Parts of the restaurant represent different sections of the country.

“The white and red arches represent the city Cordoba,” Gutierrez said.

Everything that is on the menu is homemade. In fact, the eatery has a garden in the far back of the restaurant where basil, tomatoes, mint and various other vegetables are grown, and there is not a day that passes where Joseph does not search for the tough to find special ingredients.

“We get customers who have just traveled to Spain and they enjoyed it, so it is really close,” he said.

Aside from the well-known paellas, Spanish designs and traditional wines, there are many delicious tapas to taste. The pastel a la porrusalda, which is a tart in a pastry shell surrounded by a yellow sauce, and the pimiento piquillo con centollo, which is crab stuffed peppers, are also favored items on the menu.

Whatever the reason for customers to be drawn into Tapas Papa Frita, they all can expect a unique experience that will get you to learn about new food entrees and will have you stomping your feet as the dancers take the stage.

Tapas Papa Frita