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Spanish small-plate destination Xuntos
TOGETHER AT XUNTOS
Sandra Cordero, celebrated chef-owner behind paella-focused Gasolina Cafe in Woodland Hills, turns her attention to tapas and pintxos at new Xuntos, a half mile from the BroadStage in downtown Santa Monica. Born of DutchSpanish heritage and spending summers in Spain’s Galicia, Corderos completes her grazing menu of savoury snacks and finger
foods with natural wines and superior sherry and vermouth cocktails. Xuntos is the Gallego word for “together”—appropriate since tapas are intended for sharing and because the restaurant joins two storefronts in a 1926 building. Around diverse small plates, groups gather in booths, couples at the bar or at tables bathed in warm amber light overlooking the dining
room. A palette of deep reds and warm pinks, and a wall shingled in sea scallop shells, make for a romantic atmosphere throughout. The menu offers delicacies of Galicia as well as Asturias, Catalunya and Basque Country. Deftly executed pintxos include anchoa del cantabrico en brioche, which tops an impossibly buttery sliver of brioche toast with a
PHOTOS COURTESY XUNTOS
Beguiling spot for tapas and pintxos opens in Santa Monica. / BY SARAH MOSQUEDA /
28 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE
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11/16/23 12:20 PM
