Tapas phenom Telefèric Barcelona launched its first American outpost three years ago in Walnut Creek and opens its second in May at Town & Country Village. It’s a triumphant return for co-owner Xavi Padrosa, who lived in Palo Alto in the mid-2000s and attended Foothill College. “I found people in Silicon Valley to be well-traveled and very appreciative of aut hentic Spanish food,” he says. They’ll find it at Telefèric, which previously housed Califia. Interiors boast a sleek dining area and mercado. Chef Oscar Cabezas, one of People magazine’s “sexiest male chefs” in 2017, adds sizzle to traditional tapas—Galician grilled octopus, patatas bravas and croquetas—along with paella and other Iberian offerings. The market’s cheeses, wines and olive oils cater to Spain-loving gourmands. Padrosa enjoys mingling with diners and offering sherry from his Catalonian flask. Ask for a taste and welcome him back. 885 El Camino Real, Palo Alto
Originally published in the April/May issue of Silicon Valley