Every once in a while a restaurant opens that feels completely fresh. Casa B, in Somerville’s Union Square, is one of these. In the downstairs dining room, couples share loveseats at a counter overlooking the open kitchen, watching the chefs at work. Live plants cover one wall. The lighting is flattering, the color scheme poppy red and bright white. Beautiful waitresses greet you - “Ho-o-la-a’’ - spinning the word out with utmost sass. The restaurant feels like a cross between Barcelona and a tropical island. Right now it might be one of the area’s best date nights, but that doesn’t mean two manly men speaking Spanish can’t feel perfectly comfortable here, tussling with tiny white porcelain spoons over the last bites of creme brulee.

Husband-and-wife team Alberto Cabre and Angelina Jockovich are architects who previously ran a catering company. This is their first restaurant, opened in December. (The “B’’ stands for Bobonis, the last name of Cabre’s maternal grandfather.) Part of its charm is that the pair plainly did much of the decorating themselves, and that it came out so well. The place is stylish and sparkling, modern and romantic.

Cabre, the chef, is from Puerto Rico; Jockovich is from Colombia. They’ve taken the concept of tapas and applied Latin and Caribbean flavors and ingredients. You won’t find gambas al ajillo or tortilla espanola. Instead, there are shrimp filled with yuca and wrapped in crisp bacon, served with cilantro-ginger dipping sauce, and “pizzas’’ of crisp plantains topped with tomatoes and cheese.

All of the dishes are designed for sharing, and the bilingual menu is heavy on finger food. Casa B also provides wee forks and knives.