Winter Park tapas bar Mi Tomatina to close Aug. 31

Mi Tomatina and BARcelona, the Hannibal Square paella and tapas bar, announced today that they are closing as of Aug. 31. This gives you one more weekend to enjoy their hongos rellenos (portobello mushroom caps stuffed with Serrano ham and crowned with shaved manchego), their Spanish-style mac & cheese (a 2103 Best of Orlando Food + Drink winner!) or their selection of Spanish wines and aged sherries.

This seems to be an abrupt decision, and one they aren’t giving any specific reason for as yet when we called. Just three days ago they were announced as part of charity event Jack in the Park (Oct. 24, 2015), so it remains to be seen whether they’ll have to pull out. (Flogger Scott Joseph, one of Central Florida’s longest-established restaurant reviewers, is honorary chair and MC of Jack in the Park this year, so we expect he may get the inside story first.)

It makes us sad to see how often restaurants close in Hannibal Square (miss you, Fresh Café!), but as soon as there are firm plans for something to fill in this appealing indoor-outdoor space, we’ll let you know.

This article appears in Aug 26 – Sep 1, 2015.