If you know me you know I will do anything for tapas, so needless to say there was a cartoon puff of dust behind me when we were invited to try Mount Pleasant’s Mola. From the team behind Nido, Mola serves coastal Spanish food, wine, and vermouth on tap. #ProTip: bring a group so you can get a sampling of all Mola has to offer.
DRANKS
We tried the mimosa, vermouth and soda, and the Tinto de Verano. Tinto de Verano—red wine of summer—is composed of red wine and a carbonated beverage, which in Mola’s case is a Limonata. It sounds a little weird, but if you think about it it’s kind of like sangria. Drinking this I was definitely transported back to a college trip to Spain where we’d add a splash of gaseosa to our wine. I also liked the Vermouth and Soda, featuring Capitoline Rose Vermouth, locally made from New Columbia Distillers (makers of Green Hat Gin).
THE PAN TO MY TOMATE
Pan con tomate is one of my weaknesses, so I perhaps went to hard here right off the bat. Gimme a little Manchego and I am dead. In fact, they nail all of the classics: spicy Patatas Bravas, and Tortilla Española are all solid bets.
THE SPANISH COAST
I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I was surprised by the Mediterranean influences in the Spanish Coastal cuisine. But of course the Spanish coast is right next to Africa and that region. Examples of this include the Chickpea Puree with Lamb and the Labneh. The spices were also stronger than those typical to what I normally associate with Spanish food. It’s an interesting mashup because in Spain, pork is used in many dishes, but it’s much more uncommon in the Middle East as some religions don’t allow pork consumption. The Serrano ham with fava beans and mint, for example, is a great example of this fusion.
GIMME SOME VEGGIES + HEALTHY FATS
Finally, I want to note that this is a relatively healthy brunch. To skip brunch is to skip time with friends, but all too often it derails my otherwise healthy eating. The thing is I do love fried chicken on a biscuit. At Mola, though, more often you will find veggies over carbs, and olive oil over butter, with equally rich flavors. This brunch will take you on a journey, I promise!
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