Malagón
Tucked off of King, at 33 Spring Street in Charleston, sits Malagón: a semi-hidden gem. If you love Spanish food and culture, it is a must visit and is generally top of the list when we have out of town guests. Malagón serves a rotating menu of authentic Spanish wine, beer and tapas in a cozy open kitchen setting. For someone who visited Spain a handful of years ago, its incredible to relive some of those memories through the food they serve and the items available in their market section.
Below is the first plate we ordered… who doesn’t like to start their meal with a litlle bread and cheese to go with their wine? We paired it with a bottle of the Manuel Moldes Albariño. The menu offers a few different versions of bread as well as a section of different meats and cheeses to order a la carte. The kitchen sends out all the plates as they are finished and ready to be enjoyed.
Sobrasada con Queso
Mallorcan soft chorizo with goat cheese and honey on freshly baked bread
The menu is broken up by plate size as well as by type— appetizer sized vs entree sized portions, seafood vs vegetarian vs other meat dishes. They offer a wide variety and feature specials, it may be hard to pick with so many delicious choices; but that’s the beauty of tapas… you don’t have to pick just one! Especially with more people at the table, you’ll get en enjoy more of what Malagón has to offer. The two of us ended up ordering three or four items off of the menu and were still able to sample from the dessert menu.
The menu is a puzzle and depending on which pieces you select, it builds a different picture. I’ve been three times now and each time I’ve visited there was some crossover between pairings, but it allows for completely different meals depending on what else hits the table.
La Bomba de la Barceloneta
Pork stuffed mashed potato “bomb” served with aioli and tomato
Malagón doesn’t miss when it comes to presentation either—it’s not just about taste. Everything’s intentional on the plate and adds to the flavor of the dish while being visually interesting.
Secreto de Cerdo
Grilled pork skirt steak with quince and pine nuts
Low-lit and cozy, this Spanish tapería’s atmosphere allows room for any occasion. We have enjoyed intimate date nights nestled into a table and taken family from out of town to show them a little taste of the best Charleston has to offer.
Dressy casual, perfect for guests visiting this wonderful culinary city as well as for any birthday, anniversary or standard date night needs you may need filled. Malagón has you covered. Since the restaurant is located in a smaller venue, I’d recommend making a reservation before checking it out to avoid any wait. Check out more from their menu and market at the link below.
Pan con Chocolate
Chocolate with olive oil and sea salt
