We had a wonderful experience at an authentic little Spanish restaurant located on Russian Hill in the heart of San Francisco. Restaurant Zarzuela takes it name from a genre of Spanish lyrical dramas that came about in 17th century Spain. It’s believed that the name comes from a hunting lodge outside of Madrid called Palacio de la Zarzuela.
There are various theories of how the Spanish tapa tradition came to be. Most historians agree that King Alfonso the 10th, the Wise, decreed that no wine was to be served anywhere in Castile (Old Spain) without a small food accompaniment. It is said that after having recovered from an illness himself, he was concerned for the health of his countrymen, who in their poverty would often go without a nourishing meal in order to purchase and drink alcohol. Others assert that tapas first appeared in the lives of farmers and other physical laborers who needed a small meal and rest in the late afternoon in order to sustain themselves during their long and vigorous workdays. Still other Spanish lore asserts that it was in the time when taverns and “bottle shops” were being established throughout the country, that the serving of tapas began. Jars of wine were topped with a slice of smoked cheese or ham as a means to prevent insects and other impurities from entering while at the same time providing patrons with some solid food to help absorb the strong drink. Tapas, in Spanish, literally means, “tops” or “lids.”
The preparation of tapas varies from region to region in Spain. In general, an assortment of tapas will include small plates of a variety of olives, dry nuts, smoked ham, tortillas (which, in Spain, are thick slices of a potato omelet) toasted bread slices, marinated peppers and cheeses. Most commonly eaten after work in the early evening and in the company of friends and colleagues, tapas are also served at late night gatherings and parties.
Zarzuela de Pescado is the restaurant’s signature dish: a rich tomato and sherry broth containing the fish of the day, salmon, shrimp, calamari, mussels and clams—mmm, mmm, delicious!
Zarzuela
2000 Hyde Street at Union
San Francisco, California
(415) 346-0800
Street parking can be difficult. Consider parking at Ghiradelli Square and taking the Hyde Street Cable Car to the corner of Hyde and Union.
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