What is Spanish tapas? What does it take to run a successful tapas bar?

Tapas bars are the latest dining craze across North America, quite successful I must admit. Tapas are little dishes of Spain served before lunch and dinner in bars, taverns and small restaurants. There are as many variations of tapas as there are chefs in Spain, or maybe even more. What exactly are the Spanish tapas? Tapas are small portions of food which are served as part of the social scene in cozy bars and small restaurants to converse, meet friends, argue about sport, joke and flirt. Tapas are served to keep them going, and are rarely eaten in lieu of a nice after-work drink. Some examples of tapas are calamares a la plancha, croquettas de jamon, stuffed mushrooms, salmon croquettes, mini quesadillas and camarones al ajillo from my TAPAS MENU. If you are using original Spanish products such as Jamon Cerrano or Manchego cheese, they will definitely lend a lot of credibility to your tapas menu. (Jamon Cerrano is the Spanish counterpart of the Italian prosciutto, and Manchego cheese is a hard sheep milk's cheese aged in natural caves. The closest relative of Manchego is the Pecorino Crotonese from Italy.)

The best tapas bars are located where people happen to arrive at tapas time, such as where the working people end up their day. Tapa in Spanish means simply "a lid" and the first tapa was reportedly a slice of ham served on top of a sherry glass, in order to keep out the flies. If you are about to open a tapas bar I am sure that this is not one of your priorities to keep the flies off your customers' drinks, nevertheless you should try to include in your concept something that is authentic and would appeal even to a guy from Barcelona visiting your bar. That means, beside an extensive Mediterranean themed appetizer menu, you should also offer a small plate of Spanish delicacies for a minimal price with the order of an alcoholic beverage. However, it is not a good idea to give even the smallest tapa for free with your drinks, because it might get you a bad name amongst the other bars in the city and might be interpreted as a sign of desperation by your customers. A small platter of Spanish tapas (or "meze" as it is known in Eastern Europe and the Middle East) can be all it takes to make your place the favorite spot in your city for an after-work drink with friends. And, of course, we shouldn't underestimate the potential of good atmosphere and great service, but this is a topic for another article.

Good Luck and "Mucho Tapas".

Task 2. After reading the information on tapas and taps bars discuss the following questions with your partner.

• What are traditional dishes for tapas bars?

• What is the main idea of tapas bars in comparison with other restaurants? What is their target audience?

• Which of the legends of tapas given in the texts above do you consider most trustworthy? Why?

• What are the Do’s and Don’ts for opening and running a tapas bar?

• In a group of 3 or 4 work out your own promotion project for a new tapas bar. Be ready to present it in class.

Task 3. Fill in the table about promo techniques given in Part II

#	Promo technique	The way it is presented in the movie	The way it should be presented to your mind
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Task 4. While watching the movie mark Who said that? And be ready to reproduce the fragment of each statement.

1. Is there a time frame?

2. Exhalations!

3. I’m not really good with the public display of affection kind of thing

4. Enough abuse for you

5. A choice not to act like an idiot and do something stupid

6. I think sometimes it’s fun to do something stupid

7. And the best part? No rules

8. Why not get a stellar review and make your place the talk of the town?

9. Pretty upbeat guy

10. Keep it clean

11. In my fantasy, you’re wearing these with nothing but a smile

12. You know, for me romances are usually this fast whirlwind and I’ve just really enjoyed talking the time to get to know you

13. Hey, what happened to that one you were “not dating”?

14. Life is simple. Call her

15. We have to tell you what’s going on in your tiny heads