Cathedral Hill is trading barbecue for Barcelona vibes this summer. Tasca Madrid is slated to open in June at 173 Western Ave. N., stepping into the former Handsome Hog space with a full Spanish tapas program and an attached bakery called San Román. The team says the bakery will fire up first, followed by the full restaurant, with tapas, Spanish wines, an a la plancha menu and paella cooked out on the patio on weekends.
Owners promise Madrid-style tapas and paella
Co-founder Alberto Blanco says Tasca Madrid is modeled after the lively Cava Baja corridor in Madrid, with the aim of “bring[ing] authentic Spanish gastronomy and culture to Cathedral Hill in Saint Paul,” he told Bring Me The News. The bar program will lean heavily on Spanish wines and vermouth, built to match a spread of small plates and weekend specials. For now, the team is still circling a June opening window for the dining room rather than a specific date.
Former Handsome Hog space and local context
Tasca Madrid is taking over the storefront at 173 Western Ave. N. that Handsome Hog vacated after the Southern restaurant announced it would close at the end of 2025. Handsome Hog co-founder Justin Sutherland had departed the business earlier in 2024 amid domestic-violence charges. He later pleaded guilty and received a probation sentence, according to the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. Those developments set the stage for the space to change hands and reset with a new concept.
Menu, bakery and what to expect
Per Bring Me The News, Tasca Madrid’s menu will feature classics like lentejas estofadas, albóndigas en salsa, paella valenciana and sopa de ajo, plus an a la plancha lineup of grilled meats and seafood. The connected San Román bakery and deli will spotlight sourdough loaves, sliced meats and cheeses and grab-and-go Spanish-inspired items ahead of the restaurant’s full launch. The owners say they want the food and wine list to feel unlike anything else currently on offer in the Twin Cities.
When to expect it
The team is sticking with a June time frame rather than a firm opening date, and plans to roll things out in stages. San Román is expected to open first with grab-and-go options while the main dining room gets up to speed. Curious diners are encouraged to keep an eye on Tasca Madrid’s channels for word on soft-opening plans, patio paella sessions and fresh bread drops.
