New Upscale West Hartford Restaurant To Offer Taste Of Spain

WEST HARTFORD, CT — The local restaurant scene is diversifying rapidly and growing with a new upscale Spanish eatery expected to open later this month.

Boqueria — a Spanish tapas restaurant and bar — announced Tuesday it will open in West Hartford’s Blue Back Square at 46 S. Main St. on Oct. 16.

"Boqueria’s intimate ambiance, simple yet delicious Spanish dishes, and craft cocktails aim to create a transporting experience for the guest," wrote the restaurant in an announcement.

Among the more noteworthy items on the menu, according to Boqueria, are: pan con tomate (iconic Catalan dish of grilled stirato bread rubbed with tomato, garlic and olive oil), pulpo a la plancha (grilled octopus with fennel, smoked pimentón and Picual olive oil mashed potatoes), and gambas al ajillo (plump shrimp cooked in chili-laced olive oil loaded with garlic and a shot of brandy for deep flavor and a hint of sweetness).

Boqueria will offer nightly dinner, weekend brunches (starting Saturday, Oct. 21), weekday lunch (starting Monday, Oct. 23), and a bar menu.

"Paella lives at the heart of Spanish gatherings and no table is complete without one," wrote the restaurant.

Boqueria’s signature paella de mariscos features bomba rice, fresh seafood and salsa verde, with a perfect layer of socarrat — the savory, sticky grains of rice at the bottom to be scraped up with a spoon.

For dessert, the restaurant will specialize in churros sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and served with rich hot chocolate for dipping.

Boqueria’s founder and chief executive officer is Yann de Rochefort, who has partnered with ongoing design partner Mancini Duffy Architecture.

The restaurant space will be 6,900 square feet, with 5,600 square feet inside and 1,400 square feet comprising an outdoor patio area.

“We have been planning a location in Connecticut for years and found a great spot in Blue Back Square,” said de Rochefort. “We've been visiting West Hartford for the last year and have been impressed with the local culinary scene.

" It's exciting to be a part of. We're grateful to all our neighbors who have already made us feel like part of the local community.”

Boqueria started in New York City, opening its first location there in 2006.

There are now 10 Boqueria locations around the country: four in New York City, two in Washington, D.C., one in Nashville, one in Chicago, and the latest location in Boston, which opened just last month.

The West Hartford location marks the 10th, with planned openings for 2024 in Philadelphia and Atlanta.

For more information on Boqueria restaurants, click on this link.