This North Miami Beach spot is for laid back Mediterranean-Spanish tapas

The who: Owner Varun Sharma and chef Guily Booth have teamed up for B Bar Tapas and Grill.

The space: A laid-back sports bar atmosphere with a large pool table, cushioned high-top banquettes and a striking mural on the back wall.

The dishes: Spanish-Mediterranean seasonal fare done tapas style. The menu comprises mezze platters as well as hot and cold small plates, tacos and sandwiches. Prices are reasonable with small plates ranging $6-$16, larger plates $12-$18.

Start off with the Mediterranean platter that comes with falafel bites, hummus, tzatziki and cucumber salad and add small plates of skewers of grilled Japanese eggplant, which come with a honey sauce and grilled pineapple with ichimi and lime. Grilled octopus is drizzled with truffle sauce and drunk mussels are in a white-wine broth, while a whole grilled trout comes with a caper and garlic sauce. Tuna tacos come two ways: sashimi style or cooked “carnitas” style topped with guacamole. For meat lovers a parrillada platter comes with skirt steak, blood sausage, sweetbreads and mojo chicken.

Desserts are homey with a white chocolate bread pudding and torched bananas with pistachio ice cream.

Bottom line: A wallet-friendly neighborhood spot with well-composed small plates makes this unique for North Miami Beach.

This story was originally published September 28, 2016 at 2:09 AM.