New tapas bar promising authentic Spanish food

A new bar that promises to replicate authentic tapas bars in Spain is set to open on Chandos Road.

Pícaro, meaning bohemian or rogue, is being opened by two friends and Spanish food lovers who want diners to feel “warmth and kindness” on entering, and “leave with full bellies”.

Speaking to Bristol24/7 in what used to be Aaron’s Jewish Deli, Pícaro will be run by Maria Garro de Oro and Mònica Worlsey – with some familiar help too.

“All our Spanish friends are very excited. And we have eight children between the two of us – so we have cheap labor too,” Mònica laughed, calling Pícaro their “fifth baby”.

Mònica (left) and Maria (right) hope to open Pícaro on Friday, April 7 – photo: Betty Woolerton

On what inspired her to open the tapas bar, Maria, who was born in Argentina but has lived in Spain, said: “I really love to start new things and I want to have a place to teach our kids be brave and do things.”

“My friend Maria convinced me. I always said that I didn’t want to have a restaurant, or a bar or have anything to do in hospitality. But Maria caught me on a bad day,” said Mònica with a smile.

Pícaro’s tapas will take bits from many regions of Spain, from Barcelona, where Mònica is from, to the Basque Country and Andalucia.

Main traditional tapas dishes will include Spanish omelette, charcuterie and cheese boards, Galician octopus, drunken prawns, pinchos, deep-fried fish, patatas bravas and more. Their house wine echoes their namesake: glasses of Picaro promise flavours of juicy blackberry, blueberry, liquorice and sweet spice.

“We want it to be like any bar that you find in any town, city or village in Spain. So there will be there will be a lot of laughter and a lot of Spanish speaking”, said Mònica. The pair plan to have a monthly eat and speak evening – where the only language spoken inside the walls of 19 Chandos Road is Spanish.

Mònica added: “We really really love Spanish food – and we want that to come across.”

Spanish tradition is set to be carried through to Sunday’s too, where diners can take part in ‘la hora de vermút’.

Mònica explained: “It is called vermút, which is vermouth, and became very fashionable in the 70s. Families, before coming out of church and before having lunch, they would get a glass of a vermouth or a bottle, all together. It’s like a martini – but nicer because of the memories and tradition.”

Down the road from the nearly-opened bar is a Mònica’s cookery school which she started five years ago after 25 years working as a social worker. Cooking It will continue to be her main priority, with Maria taking the front of house reigns at Pícaro.

Their arrival on Chandos Road, a stone’s throw from Snobby’s and close to Michelin-starred Wilsons, amoung many others, will add to the thriving food and drink scene on the small stretch in Redland.

About the location, Mònica said: “We love this street, and the more restaurants in my mind the more energy. We’re not in competition with each other.”

“We want people to come in and feel warmth and kindness, and leave with full bellies.”

The pair aim to open Pícaro on Friday.

Main photo: Betty Woolerton

Read more: New Michelin Green star for Bristol bistro 

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