Restaurant Review: Sangria Tapas Cafe, Royal Oak, Michigan

Restaurant Review: Sangria Tapas Café
401 S. Lafayette
Royal Oak, Michigan 48067
248.543.1964
www.sangriaroyaloak.com

We have lived in the Royal Oak area for quite a while, and for some reason have never dined at Sangria Tapas Café. (The term "tapas" refers to appetizers of Spanish cuisine. It is also referred to as "small plates.") It could be because my husband was "scared" by bad tapas in a restaurant in Windsor, Ontario. After that bland dinner left him unimpressed, he refused to consider dining at Sangria, despite the rave reviews in local papers.

Yesterday, however, fate dealt a hand he couldn't refuse. On our way to somewhere else, we found a parking spot right in front of the restaurant. It took a little coaxing, but I got him to go in. And we're both glad I was insistent this time!

Sangria is a few blocks west of the busy Main Street restaurant action. Even so, the restaurant has a loyal following, including members of the Detroit Red Wings. A previous Stanley Cup victory found the team celebrating there into the wee hours. It's a large restaurant space with heated covered patio, and a large lounge/nightclub area above the restaurant called the Sky Club. On weekends, the joint is jumping, both from diners and twenty-somethings looking for a party.

Since we chose a Tuesday night to try the restaurant, the interior was all but empty. What few diners were there all had prime patio tables. We were seated quickly inside. Sangria is colorfully decorated, with large canvasses painted in bold colors and big flowers in bright vases.

Before you think this is a Mexican place, think again. In fact, think Spanish. The cuisine most resembles that of other Mediterranean countries, like Italy, Greece and France. The tapas menu is quite extensive, with both hot and cold items to choose from. Cold items include hummus, Manchego cheese, navy beans, mixed vegetable grill, and other delicious items. Cold tapas prices range from $3.95 to $6.95.

Since we weren't familiar with the menu, our waitress suggested trying out four or five of the hot dishes. At her suggestion, we tried the grilled Portobello mushroom smothered in spinach and Asiago cheese in a tomato sauce, which was outstanding. We also decided on the empanada, which is like a meat pie with pastry crust and accompanying tomato sauce. This dish reminded me of the Mexican enchilada, but is much heavier. We also ordered the mussels in a pepper, garlic and white wine sauce. Our dish generously included six large Australian green mussels. We also tried the lobster with sausage. The sauce included (what else?) more garlic, and tomato cream. The lobster was perfectly finished, not overdone at all, and the sausage was interesting in both texture and flavor. And finally, we also ordered the sautéed shrimp in garlic and red pepper flakes. Just bordering spicy, the flavors of this dish were second to none. The best part for my husband was a bonanza of garlic left in the plate.

Hot tapas plates range in price from $5.25 to $7.95.

Despite the fact that we ordered only five plates, we left the table too full to try dessert.

Sangria also serves a variety of salads, paella and other entrees including fish, shellfish, chicken and pasta, all prepared with a Spanish touch. Entrees range in price from $16.95 to $18.95.

There is a full bar and a variety of Spanish wines to choose from. We decided on a flavorful Tempranillo to accompany our dishes.

Sangria is open for dinner Tuesday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 a.m., Saturday 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., and Sunday 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sangria is closed on Monday.

For a trip into Spanish cuisine, consider Sangria Tapas Café.