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La Roca Tapas a brilliant gem

It's always awkward being the only diners in a restaurant.

You get doted on. Your reactions are gauged. It's hard to sit back and relax. Such was the case when I dined at La Roca Tapas, a sleepy spot set at the street-level of a mixed-use building in downtown Arlington Heights.

The thing is, this place shouldn't be empty because the food was great.

The space — done up with sconce lighting, tile floors and black-clothed tables — is as date appropriate as it is a pleasant pit stop for small groups wanting to nosh on shareable plates.

There's something decidedly soulful about the preparations here. Look no further than the sauces for proof.

Meals begin with a plate piled generously with shredded cheese, crushed red pepper, minced parsley and garlic — all meant to be soused with olive oil and slathered on sliced bread.

Though it's hard to stop munching on this flavor-blasted starter, you'll find the willpower once you start scanning the large menu and list of daily specials. The mostly tapas-sized portions are offset by a dozen-plus Spanish entrees for diners with a more conventional approach to dinner. We stuck with the tapas, though, since it doesn't require as long a commitment and offers greater flexibility.

We started with a dish of shrimp, which arrived floating in a brooding, chile-dotted pimentón white wine sauce loaded with planks of sliced garlic. Vampires beware: it's a winner, the plump, perfectly cooked crustaceans infused with the full-on flavor of the broth. (There's a lot of leftover liquid, so dunk and double dunk your bread into the mix with wild abandon.)

Continuing on, there's an excellent rendition of patatas bravas (fried potatoes in spicy, rich tomato sauce), the skinless potatoes arriving puffy outside with a pillowy interior. On the cold side of the menu, marinated, citrusy olives are a must, as is the ultra-garlicky potato salad. They're tapas classics, and well-wrought ones at that.

In the event you do want to go the main course route, your options include paella and rioja-style tuna.

We wrapped up our tasting on a sweet-savory note with a lovely foursome of figs stuffed with premium Spanish ham, nestled in a full-of-depth, brown brandy sauce. A little goes a long way, but it's well worth sharing — and beautiful to look at, too.

Desserts are limited, which was fine because we barely had room. The slick, caramel-scented flan proved a fitting finale to a fine meal. There's a fruit cake and sponge cake to choose from as well.

The small, global wine list is affordable, with several options by the glass. What you really shouldn't miss, though, is the self-proclaimed “world's best” sangria. It's a tall claim, and as one who prides herself on her sangria-making abilities, I was dubious. Here's the deal: it's good — really good — with a touch of something-something. Cinnamon, perhaps?

I say give it time because given the chance this quiet little gem of a place is going to rock.

• Restaurant reviews are based on one anonymous visit. The Daily Herald does not review restaurants it cannot recommend.

  Tortilla Espanola, an onion and potato omelet, is one of the classic Spanish items offered at La Roca Tapas in Arlington Heights. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Patata Bravas, boiled and deep fried potatoes topped with a spicy sauce, is one of the classic tapas dishes on the menu at La Roca Tapas. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Jamon-stuffed figs served with brandy sauce are one of the menu highlights at La Roca Tapas in Arlington Heights. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  The Plato de Embutidos at La Roca Tapas includes serrano ham, chorizo and salchichon. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  La Roca Tapas opened in late 2011 in downtown Arlington Heights. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com

La Roca Tapas

6 S. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights

(847) 483-9903, la-roca-tapas.com

<b>Cuisine:</b> Tapas

<b>Setting:</b> Intimate, date-worthy spot for shareable plates

<b>Price:</b> $4.95 to $8.95 for tapas, $13.95 to $16.95 for entrees

<b>Hours:</b> 4 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday; 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday

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