A Tapas Bar
Hits Bayside

EL PATIO
40-09 Bell Boulevard, Bayside
718-224-5929

CUISINE: Spanish

HOURS: 11:30 a.m. to midnight, Monday to Thursday; 11:30 a.m. to 4 a.m., Friday and Saturday; 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday

CREDIT CARDS: All major

PARKING: Street

Want to go on a trip to Spain without leaving Queens?

Head down to El Patio Tapas Restaurant and Lounge in Bayside.

Everything about the place, from its peaceful, European atmosphere to its Arroz con Pollo, is as authentic as can be, and makes for a delicious evening of great food, friendly service, and the sweetest Sangria around.

My companion and I sat on the second floor of the warm and inviting restaurant, overlooking bustling Bell Boulevard in a colorful dining room, complete with romantic lighting and authentic Spanish music playing in the background.

We scanned the menu, which has dozens of selections to choose from, and decided to taste several small Tapas to start. For those not in the know, Tapas are small dishes served before lunch or dinner in Spain. They’re similar to American appetizers, but are more like small meals than finger foods.

At El Patio, there are seven cold Tapas available and 32 hot ones, all for between $2.50 and $8. We tried the flavorful Seasoned Artichokes, which were cold artichoke hearts covered in a tangy blend of olive oil, vinegar and various spices. The seasoning is also available on olives and asparagus.

We also tried several hot Tapas, including a Spanish Omelet, Mussels in Marinara Sauce, a Cod Fish Pastry, Chicken in Red Wine and Shrimps in Garlic Sauce. All of the food was absolutely delicious, and came in a size perfect for sharing. The Omelet, made with eggs, potatoes and lots of onions, was my favorite, bringing a truly authentic flavor to the table. The chicken was very tender and the fish was all fresh, particularly the mussels, which were large, sweet and succulent. El Patio offers mussels in several different sauces.

There were many other Tapas on the menu, but we decided to move on to the entrée. In the past, I’ve tried the Seafood Paella ($18 for one person), which came in a large pot and was packed with fresh scallops, shrimp, fish, sausage, rice and other goodies mixed and seasoned just right.

I’ve also tried the Mar y Tierra ($24), which combines a buttery sweet lobster tail with a Filet Mignon that you can cut with a fork.

This time around, we opted for a Grilled Red Snapper ($18) and Arroz con Camarones ($14), or rice and shrimp.

The Snapper came on the bone in a fragrant green sauce, while the shrimp and yellow rice came in a small pan with vegetables. The shrimp – which came with the shells off like I like them – were sweet and delicious, and when mixed with the firm, seasoned rice, tasted even better.

The Snapper was tender and fresh, melting in our mouths. Like all entrees, it came with rice and veggies.

There were many more authentic choices on the menu, including Pulpo al Gusto, or octopus, cooked to your liking ($14). On the Tapas menu, authentic treats like tripe were available, as well as Spanish sausages and meats.

The price is right at El Patio, with several specials to save Queensites money. An after-work special gets you a glass of Sangria and a Tapas for $7.99 from 4 to 7 p.m. on week days, and a lunch special gets you three courses for $9.95 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday.

Add a full bar into the mix, and El Patio is the perfect spot to enjoy a taste of Spain right in Queens.