Toro
1704 Washington Street, 617-536-4300

Toro is a Barcelona-inspired tapas restaurant that is hopping. The interior is simple and modern with whitewashed brick walls and large mirrors. The high bar stools at the communal table are the best seats to take in the action as you drink sassafras mojitos and caipirinhas with caramelized limes.

Or pick a Spanish Rioja from the four-page wine list — the wine is served in giant tumblers.

Order the Pincho sampler (a chef’s selection of small bites) that the chef, Ken Oringer, a former winner of a James Beard Award, prepares using a flaming brick oven.

Everything at Toro tastes smoky, including the pan con tomate, a Spanish dish of grilled bread rubbed with tomato, garlic, olive oil and salt; and don’t pass up the foie gras with rhubarb and strawberries.