Adela

Tapas is taken to a whole new level at Adela, in the bustling activity of Fells Point in Baltimore by the water. This low-key but fancy gastronomical experience, combined with its small plates options, creates a perfect second-date or group outing. Pair it with a sangria and some toasted almonds and you’re sure to give your taste buds and your senses a worthy evening.

The menu features some familiar tapas – the tortilla (potato and egg), bacon-wrapped dates, calamari. Now add a different touch to them – a new olive oil, or a specific nut blended in, and you’ll add a new flavor to your repertoire. Even the sangria can be made with a twist – of lemonade – and the alcoholic beverage becomes even more refreshing. Adela mixes other twists, like a crushed hot pepper in a martini, to waken the palette and surprise it a little. Two people can usually share six small plates for dinner, with a little room for dessert.

The wait staff is incredibly knowledgeable and makes wise suggestions. For example: a small plate of pan-roasted almonds makes a great palette cleanser and accompaniment to a strong drink. The grilled asparagus comes with roasted shallots, soured with sherry vinegar and accented with a random quail egg that balances out the different acidities. The artichokes, Pedro Ximenez sherry, sun-dried tomatoes and roasted garlic is another excellent dish. Try a salty-sweet combination in the pork belly (extremely tender) with rice and brown sugar syrup. And in celebration of manchego cheese, taste the stuffed crimini mushrooms with the cheese and chorizo for an added bonus.

There are a few dining rooms and one garden area (“el jardin”). In the main room, there's a long communal table of white marble, seating pairs across or next to each other. Eclectic shabby-chic décor, wall sconces, lanterns and mirrors fill the interior to suggest a possible exotic location, like Seville or Morocco.  Another dining room features damask wallpaper to suggest a faraway place, far away from Baltimore, that is. The garden seating hints at a Spanish courtyard environment, or what one would imagine a Spanish courtyard may be if one has never visited Spain. 

There are also various events held at Adela, from the “Sex in the City” party to live jazz nights in summertime. Check the Web site for updates.

- by Rin-rin Yu, Washington Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Rin-rin Yu

Rin-rin is an award-winning writer and journalist based in the Baltimore-Washington area. Her work has appeared in China Daily, DAYSPA magazine, Luxury Home Design, Aquatics International, Not For Tourists and other publications. Rin-rin has also worked for ABC News, WHDH-TV (NBC) in Boston and Hanley Wood Business Media. She has a master's degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. She is an avid world traveler and maintains a travel blog, www.mytravelhats.com.