Xicala Wine & Tapas Bar

The habit-forming dishes served at the tiny Mexican restaurant Café el Portal were drawing so many customers that the owners opened Xicala, a small wine bar a block away, to serve as a waiting room. But the tapas at Xicala make the place a destination in itself. The bartender-waiter can match your wine choice with appropriate tapas, such as papas con chorizo, diced potatoes with a sausage hash; a warm dish of codfish sautéed with peppers; or a weekend special of shrimp, cod and octopus ceviche served with crackers. After tasting them, you’ll be glad Café el Portal had a line.