Barvale, a new tapas bar at Divisadero and Grove, will transport customers to Spain starting this Thursday, December 7. It’s another Adriano Paganini joint: The prolific restaurateur who runs everything from Italian restaurants Beretta and Delarosa to casual burger chain Super Duper hopes to woo San Francisco diners with an actually casual, vibrant tapas spot.
Barvale, in the former La Urbana space, will take its low-key fine-dining cues from another recent Paganini restaurant, Hayes Valley’s a Mano. Barvale will serve mostly walk-ins (reservations for parties of six or more only) in a 65-seat dining room with a 32-person standing bar for drinks and pintxos, snacks traditionally skewered with toothpicks, that will rotate daily. Then, early next year, Barvale will expand into the garage space that La Urbana once used as El Mercado La Urbana, rechristening it “The Pintxo Room” and serving more drinks and pintxos there.
The menu (below) from chef Patricio “Pato” Duffoo is divided into hot and cold tapas, including traditional croquetas, patatas bravas, and gambas (poached prawns). Duffoo will also cook a steady stream of paella that’s available for individual order, rather than in giant group portions, which must often be ordered 45 minutes in advance.
“A lot of times you don’t order paella because of the commitment,” Paganini told Eater. when laying out his plan for Barvale recently. “It’s expensive, and it’s a lot of rice.”
Drinks from Spanish-born bar manager Jessica Everett include lots of sherry, a special port made just for Barvale, and four gin and tonic varieties. She’s also put kalimotxo, a combination of equal parts red wine and cola that’s popular in Spain, on draft.
Stay tuned for a look at the interior from Paganini’s go-to designer Hannah Collins, who chose a “Picasso-inspired” color palette for the restaurant. For now, peruse the menu below. Starting Thursday, hours will be Sunday to Thursday from 5 p.m. to Midnight and Friday and Saturday 5p.m. to 1 a.m.
Barvale Cocktails by Caleb Pershan on Scribd
Barvale Dinner Menu by Caleb Pershan on Scribd