Tablao, a Spanish Inspired Restaurant Finds a Home in the Heart of SoNo

Tablao Wine Bar & Restaurant is a Spanish-Mediterranean inspired dining and social destination in South Norwalk’s thriving dining district. Spearheaded by veteran restaurateurs Juan ‘Vinny’ Gonzalez and Galo Aleman, the duo, who hail from South America, have created an intimate locale evoking the style and sensibility of  a modern wine and tapas bar that one would find along the café lined streets of Seville, Spain.

Framed in exposed brick walls, the restaurant’s design aesthetic is centered around the Spanish “tabla”, wood centric accents from the wine barrel host stand and wine crate paneled walls, to the dark oak wood furnishings and bold sliding door partitions. Edison light bulbs lend a warm hue to the space while the convivial bar dazzles at night flecked by dangling light fixtures and tequila infused conversation.
 
Taking its culinary cues from the Mediterranean Sea and the land that embraces it, Tablao’s menu is a virtual tour throughout these culinary rich cites and coastal ports. Chef Raul Gonzalez, formerly of the popular Meson Galacia in Norwalk, CT, which was instrumental in introducing Spanish cuisine and the tapas style of dining to Fairfield County circa 1991, harkens back to his early chef days with a menu that is both spirited and traditional. With a nod to our sustainable food culture, as well as exceptional imported ingredients from Spain, the menu at Tablao features domestic and imported charcuterie, an array of tapas, entrées featuring market fresh fish and prime beef, as well as traditional family style paellas.
 
A wine bar at its core, Tablao offers an extensive, while accessible, and always evolving, wine selection featuring varietals from across the globe with unabashed nepotism towards the wine regions of Spain and South America. Creative cocktails and craft beer round out the beverage program, as does Tablao’s late night menu, happy hours – upon hours, and special wine nights.
 
General Manager Zach Shafran and Bar Manager Sam Porteus, both seasoned hospitality professionals and alumni from SoNo’s Barcelona Restaurant, are at the forefront of this service-minded restaurant.   Guests can enjoy DJ spun music, televised soccer games, and a unique offering for the summer - Happy Hour on the Harbor boat cruise series in conjunction with the SoNo Seaport Association.
More info: www.tablaosono.com

Happy Hour On The Harbor
July 19 and August 16
6 - 8 PM
$45 pp, all inclusive
2-hour Guided Boat Cruise
Seasonal Cocktail, Beer and Wine, Tapas
To purchase tickets to Happy Hour on the Harbor visit www.seaport.org.