JTAPS — Restaurant in Somersworth

Well Seacoast Eaters, it looks like we've made it through another snowstorm. Hey, with March coming in like a lion, maybe it'll go out like a lamb chop? 😁

So, because of the storm, we decided on Friday as date night. Well, I have been anxious to try this restaurant that is new to us, so we got in the car and took a drive to downtown Somersworth to JTAPS at 80 Market St(Pics 1-4). Since we didn't have a reservation, we hoped for a couple of vacant seats and found them along the wall.

We received a wonderful greeting from Alexandra and Mariah. After being given the menus, we looked things over as we were poured some water. My wife decided on the Blood Orange Cosmo to start(Pic 5). Made with vodka, orange liquor, cranberry juice & lime juice. It was a perfectly tart, refreshing drink. I ordered a J Appelation Pinot Noir(Pic 6). This wine was perfectly balanced and had a smooth finish.

To begin our food odyssey, my wife decided on the Spanish Meats & Cheeses(Pic 7). Another beautiful Charcuterie Board. It was absolutely fantastic and super fresh. A wonderful mix of flavors and textures.

Next we ordered the Tortilla Espanolo(Pic 8). This is made with eggs, garlic, onions, potato and a spicy aioli. Bursting with flavor, this dish was the kind of dish you want to order time and again. We also ordered the two Taco specials. One was the spicy pork tacos(Pic 9) and the other was the chicken tacos(Pic 10). There was so much flavor in each different soft taco. Each had pickled onions, slaw and each sported an aioli that had a nice spice to it.

For dessert, we selected the Lemon Almond Cake(Pic 11). This cake was topped with powdered sugar and had a fantastic lemon sauce with almonds off the side. Moist, flavorful and light and it made a perfect ending to our meal.

JTAPS has a great, welcoming atmosphere and a very attentive staff and owner who cares about delivering a great dining experience. Focusing on tapas, they have a very diverse menu with something for everyone. Everything we saw being delivered looked amazing. Quite frankly, we can't wait to go back to continue working our way through the menu. If you have never had the pleasure, you need to just commit and go! It is so worth your time and you'll be glad you...

We have all heard some variation of the old expression: “It takes months to find a customer and seconds to lose one.”

Alas, tonight was proof of that at a restaurant we frequented as many as two times a week, usually at $100+ a pop. We had loved its food, chef, and a past bartender.

Regrettably, tonight opened with an unrefrigerated glass of white wine served from a countertop bottle. The bartender was clearly flustered and in an unaccustomed position. No solicitousness of customers to check on drinks or food was occurring, making ordering either an ordeal. A couple came in after us and were not even given menus before four people who came in after them had their orders taken, and they were vocally unhappy -- not great since one was a repeat customer.

We gave up on hoping for more drinks, and on ordering a take-home flatbread, and closed the tab. Because I couldn't see its elements, unlike usual, I tipped 20% (the lowest option on the screen), on a bill that I then found included a $10 blueberry mojito we hadn't ordered. I told the bartender, and, flustered, she finally gave me a $10 bill (though I had tipped 20% on the nonexistent mojito).

At least once we were also presented with someone else's food order. It was painfully evident the bartender didn't know how to make mixed drinks, and seemed to be looking at recipe cards or pulling the very good chef from the kitchen for help.

Not sure what on Earth happened to our reliable date...

Jtaps is an mazing place to hang and chat ! Figure out the worlds problems and there are so many. If your looking for a place to meet up with friends and have some drinks . JTAPs is the place to go. Service and drinks and did I say the food was amazing . You go and find out for yourself! Just gonto Jtaps and see Jon and tell him I sent you . Mariah is an amazing bartender and will make you anything your heart desires. Chef Jac is here and will make you wonderful food. Have some drinks then make and order and have some fun while you wait. Jon is Somerworth local born and raised here and loves the community. Go and have a few. Also ask about hos catering for your parties you wont be disappointed ! They will go to your home , location call for...