La Marcha Bringing Authentic Spanish Tapas Experience to Berkeley

Spain is heading Berkeley’s way starting today with the arrival of La Marcha, a tapas bar that takes its name from the Spanish tradition of "the march," or a late night bar and tapas crawl. Chef/owners Sergio Monleón and Emily Sarlatte — both of whom have lived in Spain and started catering company Ñora Cocina Española together — created a menu of small plate tapas like lamb burgers and tortilla espanola and large-format paellas all meant for sharing. "We just really love the tapas culture and the style of dining, and we thought that Berekley was really lacking something like that so we wanted to bring that experience to the Bay Area," Monleón told Eater. "The casual, social element of sharing small plates with your friends and family in an intimate environment." The drink menu focuses on sherries, with tasting flights and occasional pairing dinners, as well as Spanish wine, beer and cider. Perhaps the most exciting part (especially for Cal students) is the nightly happy hour that runs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and again from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. when free tapas are served alongside purchased drinks. La Marcha opens today; take a look around inside above.