Toro

This is the best Spanish tapas place in Boston, with excellent and inventive food. solid service, pleasant digs (can get crowded). Go here first for this cuisine locally. A long walk from the Mass Ave. Orange Line subway stop down a stretch of Mass Ave. that can get dicey later in the evening -- better reached via the Mass Ave. stop on the Silver Line.

It's a tapas place; ergo, atmosphere and service are expected to be good but not great. I was a bit annoyed that the website lists the hours as beginning at 4:30 on Saturday; however, when we arrived at 5pm to beat the crowds, we were told that they don't start seating until 5:30. By 6:15, the line was out the door.

The food was fabulous. Some dishes are worth repeated return trips, including their signature grilled maize with butter and cheese. On one particular night, they offered a special of pork belly with snails - easily the best single dish that I've eaten this year. Between this dish and Momofuku's pork buns, I am beginning to develop an unhealthy addiction for that cut of meat.

While not cheap by any definition, this place offers a chance to sample some outstanding dishes for a more reasonable price.