text: I had family in town during restaurant week and my mom suggested we try Malabar because the menu for restaurant week provided a lot of choices. \nEverything we ate was delicious. In particular the croquetas and gambas al ajillo from the tapas menu were bigger than I expected. \nFor entrees our party of 4 tried 3 of the 5 offerings: Suquet de Mariscos, Albondigas con arroz, Mixed grill. Everything was delicious. The rice almost out-shined the albondigas. Definitely inspired me to return to try their paella. \nDesserts were good- light but sweet- however, definitely not as memorable as the tapas and platos. \nMusic was not too loud and well-selected, playing one of my favorites from Barcelona, who had just been to CLT recently, Jarabe de Palo. \nBeer selection also included a little taste of Catalu\u00f1a including the more difficult to find in the States, Estrella Damm. \nTo sum up, the food and drinks (including an affordable wine selection by glass) would definitely bring me back for a second try. \nMy only negative, which may speak more to restaurant week than to Malabar, was that I did feel rushed. There definitely wasn't \"sobremesa\" time. The wait staff was attentive, maybe overly so. At one point the waitress tried to take my plate with my pan con tomate (which we ordered extra off the regular menu and was worth it) even before I was finished and my sangria glass when I still had some left in my glass. Not huge criticisms, but for me, one of the best parts of Spanish eating- besides the flavors- is the sharing and relaxing over delicious food without worry for time or pace. \nOverall it was a great meal.