Sangria Y Tapas — Restaurant in Westlake

OMG we're should I start the whole experience was sooooo disappointing the next time I get a RED flag walking into a restaurant I never been before i'm not going to hesitate, I'm walking right back out. I literally spend my lunch break lurking the website for a good restaurant serving variety of seafood plates. I wanted to surprise my husband by taking him out on a nice romantic dinner since he's been feeling under the weather lately you know with all the life changes we have been put thru in the last few month's on top of other family matters i'm pretty sure you can relate where i'm coming from. So after looking at many restaurants & reviews I finally decided to go with Sangria Y Tapas the funny thing is that I really had chosen to go with Ibiza Mediterranean in Avon Lake but it was only open for take out orders and I felt that it was still a good choice since both restaurants are run by the same owner and yes I was taken away by the good reviews other guests had experienced but unfortunately it wasn't for my husband and I. Mind you I did exactly what the website stated to make a reservation so I did I called had our table reserved for 7:00 p.m on 06/11/2020. We walked in the appearance of the entrance wasn't very appealing there was no staff around to even acknowledge we we're standing there to be seated finally one of the lady that work's there kinda ran by us with a half smirk on her face didn't even excuse herself when she came back I was at least expecting for her to even ask how are you doing today or at least welcome or even bother to ask you have a reservation nope that was to much to expect the whole thing making a reservation was such a waste of time. At this time we are trying to walk behind her but she was walking so fast ahead of us and kinda pointed out the table but at the same time she was walking out towards the patio she was trying to do 2 things at one time and it was not good. I looked over at my husband he was looking more confused than I was i'm sure. So we sat at the table like I stated the host disappear again there was a group of lady's sitting across and between a table was a couple sitting. By now I really started feeling very overwhelmed because remember I wanted to spend a nice romantic dinner with my husband thank God my husband is a very humble guy with very good manners and he was just grateful that I had planned a dinner date. The lady comes back kind of started filling our glasses with water then another host finished filling our glasses again not saying anything then leaves. Are you ready for the bigger kicker yeah you probably saying to yourself why the hell are you guys still sitting there and your right being naive of all the great reviews I spend reading I was like I know this dinner has to end great yeah right far from it. Sooo he're comes this man from the patio with a very heavy voice along side with the two women host repeating to the host they can't sit there. He comes to our table in a very impudent manner you can sit here because this table is reserved I never felt so embarrassed in my life by now my whole body & surrounding went numbed I had no reaction. I felt so bad for my husband I could see in his face holding back from not going off but he didn't because at that time the only thing that matter to him was how I was feeling and why add more. The waiter name is Kadris I only know his name because it was printed on our bill yes we stayed after all those misfortunes. So my husband and I get up politely and Kadris end up sitting us way on the back of the restaurant by the big window that sits to the parking lot yeah that was our romantic view not but choice but like I stated by now I was numbed. Then to top it off Kadris ends up being our waiter go beans. So now the host are moving our glasses to the new table omg the lady spoke and said sorry. He're comes Kadris trying to make a joke of the situation no buddy just leave it alone. To be continue...

My first experience at this restaurant was beyond disappointing, and I won't be returning. Despite coming here for a celebratory post-graduation meal with my partner and family, our evening was marred by uncomfortable encounters with the staff and horrible food.

One staff member, a man with curly hair, made repeated and unwelcome comments towards me, following me to the restroom and making me feel uncomfortable and unsafe. His behavior was unsettling enough that I felt compelled to warn my female family members.

Another staff member, a woman with bangs, consistently failed to deliver drinks to our table promptly, despite us being a group of adults, including one minor, who were all of legal drinking age. Orders for beverages seemed to disappear into thin air, only to arrive all at once, and often incorrect. This same staff member also refused to place food directly in front of us, and rather insisted for us to do so ourselves, which only added to the unpleasant experience.

The manager, an older man, was the most insufferable of all. He seemed to view our meal as his personal comedy show, subjecting us to his jokes and commentary whether we were interested or not. He even went so far as to rearrange the food on our plates to his liking, insisting that we eat it his way. Going so far as to cut multiple family members meals. This level of intrusion made our meal thoroughly unpleasant and ensured that we won't be returning.

As for the food itself, it was a major disappointment. The steaks, including my filet, were overly fatty and gristly, almost inedible in quality. Even the 15-year-old at our table struggled to cut through his steak. The temperatures were way off too. I asked for medium rare and got a warm blue, my experience was not isolated. Additionally, the seafood tasted off, and the side dishes lacked seasoning. The lack of choice in salad dressing options was also frustrating at best.

Overall, this was one of the worst dining experiences I've had in Cleveland, especially given its proximity to Crocker Park. I strongly advise dining elsewhere to avoid a similarly disappointing experience. My partner and I were so ill from our meal here that we were unable to even enjoy a second dinner elsewhere...

Sangria y Tapas is one of my favorite food spots in Cleveland. It's a strong menu and consistently delicious. My favorite things on the menu are its Gambas a Ajillo (shrimp with garlic) and Pulpo ala Galleca (octopus with paprika). The gambas is so decadent, perfectly cooked and swimming in this rich garlicky olive oil with sweet bits of sautéed garlic. The pulpo is so well prepared. It's sweet and very tender, drenched in this smokey, slightly sweet olive oil sauce. When I'm done with both dishes, l ask for more bread to sop up the remaining sauce. Also delicious on their menu are the Ceviche de Grouper (or Gambas), which is so fresh and light; and their Croquettes, which are deep fried filled with ham and cheese and drizzled with a little honey. Their Paella is okay. It offers all the elements of this traditional Valencian favorite, however, it's missing an important part: the socarrat (crusty/ crispy caramelized bits at the bottom of the pan). This is, in part a result of their use of a calderon versus a traditional Paella Pan. This is a great place for folx who are interested in stepping outside of their food "comfort zone" because the plates are small and offer a wide variety of options (from "safer" to more "challenging). I enjoy Sangria y Tapas. It's a standout in the Cleveland food scene for of its variety, taste, and...