Que Pasa Hamburguesa

Last Friday's weather and the atmosphere surrounding a Fall weekend provides ample reasons for living in New Orleans. Those 3-4 weeks twice a year when the sun shines and the breeze blows makes even a curmudgeon smile. So on such a day, I found myself heading over to Rambla in the International House Hotel for a lunch.

The Gambler and Donny Boy Rodriguez joined me. The space is modern and slightly off-putting at first. In the center of the restaurant, raised tables dominate the space. While along the sides banquettes and standard tables and chairs provide aisles so to speak. The music and service is more causal than you may expect, but in a surprising and fun way.

And the food, or at least what we sampled, has enough merit to make this place great. WARNING: As of this posting, Rambla does not have its liquor license; so whether or not my perception of the food was affected by the absence of a cold Estrella is debatable. But let's get to eating.

First, an order of croquetas. A smoky andouille, a savory and hearty mushroom, and a fresh licorice burst of shrimp. I have a huge crush on the andouille one.

If brabant potatoes were a gateway drug, then patatas bravas would be heroin. Fried cubes of potatoes give way to an interior that is more mashed potato than french fry. Drizzled with allioli (there spelling not mine) and powdered with smoked paprika, these treats will go fast.

Cheese and almond stuffed and bacon wrapped deep fried dates. Sweet, tart, crunchy, soft, salty; all that is needed is a dry Spanish white to make this dish truly remarkable.

Empanadas. One filled with bitter greens, the other with pulled pork. I loved the crust of these pockets of bliss. The crust was flaky and exceedingly tender. Cutting the pastry resulted in shards of dough breaking off and scattering across the plate. It reminded of finishing an order of damn fine onion rings and using your finger to pick up the wayward shards of fried batter. What you don't do that?

But the highlight was the burger that both the Gambler and Donny Boy ordered. Now until Friday, my mind had decided the burger at Luke was the best of the gourmet burgers in town. However, it seems the Spanish-French War, Part Dos will soon occur. This burger is mixed in house and uses a little bit of pork and heavy dose of smoked paprika to create a flavor similar to chorizo. A roasted red pepper and your choice of blue or swiss cheese completes the babe. Finally a restaurant burger that tastes like one you would make in your backyard after a few drinks. Dynamite.

Even better the burger came with pmmes frites, that were so light, crisp, and delicious ordering another round was contemplated. Accompanying the burger and fries was more of that decadent allioli. That burger and all the gear it comes with, $10. Pretty good steal there.

All around, a very good start for this delightful Spanish Tapas spot. I think once the liquor license arrives those interior raised tables will be a great place to sit with some friends, order some tapas, some verdejo, and just let loose. Can't wait. I believe it was Gen. MacArthur who first said "I'll be back."

EDIT:
The Liquor License has arrived...