De Tapas: Spanish Gastrobar Graces Downtown

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

Or tapas.

In 2015, Carlos Pia quit a high-powered career in finance. The Barcelona native had spent 12 years in Ireland, where he married and had twin boys. Then came a stint in Miami, where he ran South American operations for Oracle, and a move to Greenwich when he joined a New York private equity firm.

But Carlos enjoys other activities. He’s a triathlete. And he loves to cook. He was the one to make holiday meals, and try new recipes.

He (and his wife) took a leap of faith. He left corporate America. He wanted to see if his dream could become a reality.

Carlos’ first job was as host at a New York restaurant. When diners heard he lived in Greenwich, they sometimes wondered how he could afford the train fare.

He moved on to manage José Andrês’ Mercado Little Spain in Hudson Yards. The “amazing experience” helped nudge him toward opening a restaurant of his own.

Then came COVID. With eateries everywhere shut down, Carlos had an idea. He’d bring equipment to people’s back yards. He would cook tapas and paella — outdoors.

Word of mouth spread. That summer Carlos did 2 or 3 parties, anniversaries and other celebrations a week. He called his business “De Tapas.”

But restaurants would not be closed forever. Carlos began looking for a place of his own. Last February, he found space at 180 Post Road East. It had opened in early 2020 as Chez 180. The timing was grim; despite great reviews, it shut in the early days of the pandemic, and never reopened.

De Tapas replaces Chez 180.

Carlos loved the layout. It was big and centrally located, with plenty of parking behind. He envisioned an open kitchen.

“It’s great when you can see what’s cooking,” he says. “The cooks feel better too. They’re part of the show, not cramped behind closed doors. When people leave, they thank everyone who cooked their food.”

He signed a contract in late June. Town Hall officials were “very helpful,” he says, helping every step of the way.

Yet opening a restaurant — renovating the interior, importing tiles from Spain, finding staff, creating a menu, stocking the bar — takes time.

Finally in mid-January, De Tapas — Westport’s first “Spanish gastrobar” — opened.

The lounge area looks out on Post Road East.

Diners love the still-small selection of tapas and paella, the welcoming bar and the homey lounge area. All stocks are homemade; all fish and meat are fresh.

Carlos’ favorite tapa: poached egg and truffled boletus on potato foam. His favorite paella is fideua negra (Spanish noodles with shrimp, calamari and cuttlefish ink).

Carlos Pia in his handsomely decorated De Tapas.

With the support of his wife Patricia every step of the way, Carlos’ dream is open and excited. He has chosen a great location. It is surrounded by other restaurants — Jeera Thai, Finalmente, Capulli, Don Memo, Walrus Alley, Basso, Amis, Pink Sumo, Manna Toast, Spotted Horse — creating a destination buzz.

“We’re not competitors. We’re friends,” Carlos says. “I like the Cottage, Gabriele’s, Italian restaurants. Not everyone will have Spanish food every day. But if we do well, people will come back.”

(De Tapas at 180 Post Road East is open at 5 p.m. for dinner every day except Monday. Weekend brunch and lunch service will be added soon, with outdoor seating in warmer weather. Click here for more information.)