LA Tasca Tapas Restaurant, Arlington Heights

Absolutely love this Tapas restaurant. We have been going to La Tasca for past 16 years with boy friend (now Hubby), girls night out and for large group parties. The food has improved over the years tremendously. Some of our favorites are baby octopus, sun dried dated, herbed goat cheese, beef kebabs, calamari, paella, and of course the Sangria and Flan. We have introduced La Tasca to many others and never have had one complaint; in fact we bump into many of our friends on live band nights. La Tasca always has fun new item to try on the specials and my sister eating Gluten free will always be pleased on the Gluten free menu they offer. I also personally like Café Iberico when downtown but between driving from the burbs, valet, and all the commotion we frequent La Tasca much more. Iberico is really good when downtown, I wouldn’t bother much on try any others. La Tasca is spectacular choice for tapas in the burbs and no brainer for anyone to try. YUMMY!

This is not Spanish food. Not a chance. Americans may give good reviews, but they can t fool a Spaniard (me). Don t try the paella , please.

We went there couple nights ago and the food was outstanding.even though economy is bad, the place was busy. They must be doing something right. Service was good. We had Canelon de atun, Goat cheese, bravas and a meat embanada. Flan for dessert. will go again

La Tasca tapas restaurant of Arlington Heights is the most highly acclaimed restaurants in Arlington Hts for the past 16 years. We believe that out of the half dozen tapas restaurants we have tried in Chicago land area that La Tasca is simply the one with most flavors and welcoming staff. The combination of quality of their tapas, festive and romantic atmosphere, and inviting menu selection make it the perfect place to eat and sample tapas and Sangrias. In fact many of the places we sampled in Madrid and along the southern coast of Spain were not as good as La Tasca…. But we were on a budget in Spain and went to tapas restaurants that probably run on tourist and not repeat diners. Some of our favorites that we like to mix up along with daily specials are CANALÓN FRÍO DE ATUN Pasta filled with yellow-fin tuna salad, asparagus, basil, red onions and topped with a creamy white wine vinaigrette, PIMIENTOS ASADOS Fire-roasted, tri-color peppers with olive oil vinaigrette, PATATAS BRAVAS Fried potatoes with a creamy cayenne sauce, VERDURAS HUERTANAS Plate of grilled fresh vegetables drizzled with a fresh basil vinaigrette, PINCHO DE SOLOMILLO Grilled brochette of beef tenderloin, mushrooms and pearl onions, drizzled with a Spanish sour cream sauce over shoestring potatoes ,the YUMMY QUESO DE CABRA herbed goat cheese baked in a tomato basil sauce, served with tomato baguettes, CHAMPIÑONES RELLENOS Jumbo mushrooms stuffed with ground pork tenderloin with pine nuts, marinated in Spanish brandy CHULETAS DE CORDERO Grilled lamb chops brushed with herbed olive purée, PAELLA Fish and the best we have tasted… Silky FLAN. Their home made Sangria’s rock and will knock your socks off, traditional red and mango are our favorite, but beware they go down easy but are strong with added gin, triple sec, brandy, etc… We attended a rehearsal dinner at La Tasca with what must have been over 100 people and the food and service was just as good as the two of us eating at one of the live band nights. Bravo and Ole La Tasca!

Do not go to this restaurant as a party of five. On Friday night we arrived at 7:00 and were told we would have a forty minute wait. After about an hour and ten minutes and having watched many parties of two, four and six (many of whom arrived well after we did) get seated, we complained and were finally seated at 8:15. Reservations are accepted for parties of six or more.

This was the first time I had been to this restaurant and I was not impressed at all. Pork Mushrooms and Chicken were extremely overcooked. I was going to mention it to the server, but he didn't come back to our table other than to deliver the check. We had a big party where gratuity was already included, so I guess they felt like they did not need to provide good service. They charge for refills on soft drinks, which is unheard of even for a tapas restaurant. You will spend about $30 a person. I recommend going somewhere with better food and service for your money.

La Tasca has the tastiest tapas in city and burbs. We have been going to La Tasca for over 11 years and it is always fresh, friendly, fun, and fantastic. We have brought groups up to 88 people and the food, service was just as good as always. I travel a lot for business and have tried many restaurants throughout, but La Tasca has to be in my top three world wide and favorite here at home. Try the pork tenderloin, octopus, sundried bananas with bacon, goat cheese, tuna rolls and Flan! Flan! Flan! Hands down best flan you will ever taste!!! Lots of good drinks….i.e. homemade Sangria flows and has a fun buzz to it. Check out the quality bands and gigs. Powerhouse shows for free! La Tasca, La Tasca staff, and Danny B, thank you for all the wonderful times and meals. Bravo!