Ryan Poli Reveals First Menu for Tavernita, Opening Soon

Eater just met with Ryan Poli to discuss the first menu release from his forthcoming restaurant, Tavernita, which should hopefully open before the end of the year. It's the "first" because the menu for barcito, the 92-seat "stand and eat San Sebastian pintxo" bar, and the drinks menu from the Tippling Bros. for the 71-seat lounge are still on the way and will be revealed in the coming days or weeks.

The menu, which Poli has been working on since the beginning of August, is a reflection of his time spent living and working in Spain and also pulls from cuisines of South America ("I call it a dusting of South American influence," Poli said.) Poli, along with his partners from Mercadito Hospitality, visited Madrid, Barcelona and San Sebastian this past summer to gain further inspiration.

"It was more of a refresher course," Poli said. "I got to show [partner] Alfredo [Sandoval] and the rest of the gang what I wanted to do and what ideas I had. Barcito was born from our trip to Spain."

Some of the dishes that were solidified during that trip include the huevos estrellados (also known as "patatas" on the menu below, which includes potatoes, chorizo and a fried duck egg), the octopus salad and the cocas (flatbreads): coca de pato and coca de setas.

The Tavernita menu, which ranges in price from $7 to $26, is broken out into four categories—crudos, en pan, platos and postres—and really showcases the type of food Poli has wanted to cook for a long time.

So what's on the menu? Check it out below.

Tavernita Menu

· All Tavernita Coverage on Eater Chicago