photo: courtesy of Clifton Henri

Lincoln Park meets "Sex and the City" at this tapas hotspot. The fruity sangria, "bites" of food and in-demand patio seating make it a haven for girls' nights out, though truly, it's a place for all sorts of celebration. Birthday parties and after-work get-togethers pack the place almost without fail. Even on a Wednesday, the time to get a table can last longer than a Spanish fiesta.

Drinking through the wait can be the best part, though. With dim red-tinted lighting, Serrano ham legs hanging from the ceiling Spanish market-style and dried flowers all around the wooden bar, it just takes a glass of sangria (in peach, black raspberry or passion fruit) to feel transported to Sevilla.

Lauded for its seafood tapas, the ocean-based options run a-plenty, from jalapeno shrimp to white anchovies with avocado to grilled squid. The beef and vegetarian tapas are just as varied, with the final tapas tally inching close to 50 dishes. My gal pal and I were smitten with the Spanish artisan cheese plate and the beef skewer with horseradish cream, which went perfectly with our $5 tinto wine flight. We learned to watch more than just our sangria consumption; the bill for these bits, priced $2.95 to $12.95, can creep up on you.

But there's a real deal to be had in the $3 tapas, available at the bar only from 4-6 p.m. daily and from 10 p.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday. A calendar of ongoing special events, including paella cooking classes and flamenco dancing performances, adds to the fun.

Centerstage Reviewer: Joanne Hinkel