5 S. Liberty, Powell, OH (614) 436-1212

I don’t fancy myself a “restaurant critic” but I do enjoy trying new places and sharing my impressions with others. That said, I post my first “restaurant review” on Epicurean Essentials. I hope you will be inspired to try some new places along with me and even share your impressions via e-mail.

Very recently on a casual afternoon visit to Powell, husband Bob and I noticed a new restaurant called Maca. After picking up a copy of the menu to peruse at home, we decided to return that very evening to give it a try.

Maca, Catalonian for “cute” has a cool casual atmosphere with soft seating, tables and a bar. Based on the traditional appetizer size dishes served in Spanish bars, the menu items are varied and range in price from $4.50 to $7.50. Of the several items we tried, the most notable were the paella and gazpacho.

Owners Norman and Susan Carmichael provided quick and friendly service in this quaint little restaurant. Susan told us that Norman, who has always loved to cook, spent ten years playing basketball in Barcelona. Naturally this was where he gained his knowledge of traditional Spanish tapas bars and Spanish tapas themselves.

The hours of service posted on the door and menus gives a good indication of the atmosphere they are trying to create at Maca. Their hours are: Monday - Saturday from 11:30 - 10:00-ish. Now doesn’t that make you feel like you could sit back to enjoy the company of good friends and relax over a nice glass of wine with some tasty tid-bits? We did and I hope you do too.

If you try Maca, let me know your thoughts.