Orange County Register

Spain’s version of fast-casual eating is coming to Orange County.

I just got word that a new tapas joint is opening in downtown Fullerton called Lizarran Tapas Restaurant. Normally, tapas restaurants don’t impress me, because most are over-priced for what you get. But my ears perked when I heard this place would be modeled after Barcelona tapas bars that serve their appetizers on toothpicks.

Here’s the lowdown: Diners typically sit or stand around a bar, gobbling up a variety of hors d’oeuvres placed on trays. It’s kind of like eating finger foods at a cocktail party. Once you’re done, you take your pintxos (Basque for thorns, or sticks) to the cashier or bartender, and you pay up.

Lizzaran will work the same way, serving a variety of cold and hot tapas. Dishes can range from cheeses to seafood to Spanish cured meats and vegetables. Items will cost $1 to $1.50, per toothpick. The tab at Lizzaran is expected to average $12 per person.

“We will serve meals that will be appetizing and affordable in a fun environment,” says owner Mickey Arzaga.

I’m looking forward to the April 24 opening. My family and I hit a tapas bar called Euskal Etxea in Barcelona during a fabulous 2006 trip to Spain. We ate at a ton of good places in Madrid and Barcelona, but Euskal was, by far, one of our most memorable meals.

In fact, my daughter, Hannah, now 7, was regaling a friend with a story the other day about “the place in Spain, where I ate from toothpicks.” So, I guess you could say, toothpick-style eating is family friendly.

Lizzaran will open in the already bar-congested area of downtown Fullerton. (Address: 310 N. Harbor Blvd.) It’s also (probably not by coincidence) near another Fullerton tapas joint: Cafe Hidalgo. I wonder what those owners think?

The restaurant’s 150-item menu includes the classic Spain dish, paella, as well as Sangria. Table-side dining will also be available. It is the first of five planned in the United States by Barcelona-based Grupo Lizarran, which currently operates 250 eateries in Spain, France, Mexico, Canada and Germany.

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Free burger alert: Don’t forget Carl’s Jr. is having a 2-for-1 deal on Western Bacon Cheeseburger today, April 17. Read details here.

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