El Quijote

Someone recommended El Quijote in the Chelsea Hotel for latin/Spanish food. Any views on this place ? Any better options?

[Amy Mintzer]

Just trying to see the replies.

[Amy Mintzer]

Just trying to see the replies.

[sing me a bar]

I would take the word "killing" quite literally. Fine for drinks, then repair to any of the better alternatives around 14th St.

[fukhed]

El Q is a classic. The food could be good and at times, it could be mediocre, but a classic is a classic.

My beautiful wife loves the Chicken Villaroy. The Veal La Plancha is fine and the Lobster Daily Double is fantastic.

Go, drink the red sangria and enjoy the vibe.

Weekday lunch is a great call - the place is empty and they have some killing lunch specials - the potato omlete is fantastic.....

- love Fukhed

[jcmods]

The only reason to go here is if you are a fan of the film "I shot Andy Warhol". There is a scene filmed in the restaurant. Otherwise, I agree with people who say it is rather bland for Spanish food.

[erica]

Dinner at El Quijote last year was the worst meal I have had in New York City in a very long time. And the 5 other people at my table agreed. We did not have the lobster, however, which I gather is the thing to order if you must go there.

[livetotravel]

Well, first, it's not in the Chelsea Hotel, but is on 23rd Street.

If you're going with a group for a birthday or an office party then by all means go - and have a huge plate of paella and a huge pitcher of sangria. This is not the place for a fine dining experience but it can be fun with a larger group.

For Spanish tapas try Tio Pol,Casa Mono, Xunta, Alta and Bar Jamon for more than tapas try Urena.

[kernel]

Ordered tilefish in green sauce-opted for baked potato as side dish. The tilefish arrived with three boiled potatoes on the plate. I asked why I hadn't been informed of the potato accompaniment when ordering and was told not to worry cause the boiled potatoes came along gratis. An adjacent waiter understood and brought some overcooked stringbeans. The fish and potatoes tasted like bland hospital food. Also overcharged for my wife's entree.

hey I love this place, I know many hounds don't, and I don't understand why, maybe what they order, maybe the kitsch atmosphere is not for them. I have gone with groups both big and small and never have had a bad time, although with big groups 16-20 people, there have been order screw ups. I don't see how anyone can recommend Fransico Vasco over this place, it's much worse.

oh well it's all in the palate I guess, I find many hounds do not like the places that I do. Yet El Quijote has been in the same place for something like 40 years so they must be getting something right

This place is very old school, it's not a tapas place, it's not modern nor does it pretend to be and it is very likely your parents or grandparents hang out (I was introduced to this place by my granduncle) from days gone by.

All that said, the sangria is very good, and the lobster order should be "the daily double" broiled or steamed. get anything that ends in "el quijote" and you won't go wrong. The combos (various surf 'n turf items are a deal) The white bean soup, while salty is very good.

~ Jerry

been here a few times with large groups. i agree that the food is bland. menu shows endless sauces and different ways to prepare lobster, but everything i tried all looks and tastes the same (some type of green garlic sauce without much flavor). i would not go on my own. however, can still be fun for large parties where food is not the main focus.

Food is decent, but very salty. The dining room(s) get very loud and you can't hear the company you're with. Must be an acoustics thing. And there's usually a wait. By that I mean a line out the door. There's better options out there. Other hounds will chime in.

Haven't beent there, but have not heard good things. Instead i would recommend Francisco's Central Vasco (23rd b/ween 6th an 7th) for spanish food and excellent lobster or if you want to go the more tapas route, Tia Pol (b/ween 22nd and 23rd and 10th ave) or La National 14th (b/ween 6th and 7th).

Awful. Flavorless. A fine example of New York's mediocre Spanish restaurants...