Need info on good tapas places after a Saturday matinee..

[amyr]

Going to a Saturday matinee (South Pacific) in a few weeks and would like to go to a tapas restaurant. The theater is on 65th. I don't think there are any good places in that area, so we're open to going to other areas. Just want really good food. My husband and I went to Barcelona two years ago and were blown away by the food. Any chance of finding food like that in NYC??? Thanks, Amy

[amyr]

Thanks guys, very good recs. I have a lot to think about.
Amy

[smokeandapancake]

if you are willing to try greek tapes, try nick's ouzaria
www.unclenicksouzaria.com/

[JungMann]

Cafe Ronda is near Lincoln Center and offers tapas, though with more of an Argentine inspiration, some of which I like even better than the Spanish originals (morcilla and empanadas in particular).

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Cafe Ronda
249 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10023

[mch]

alta is another good option. you can ask to be seated near the fire place.

[kathryn]

I was in Barcelona for my honeymoon in July and the food there is mindblowing (particularly LOVED Bar Pinotxo, Cinc Sentits, Inopia, and Quimet i Quimet).

There's nothing quite like it in NYC so it depends more if you crave a certain specific dish (like padron peppers or croquetas or pan con tomate) or just want something to scratch the itch with something delicious but not actually traditional/authentic (like Casa Mono), knowing you can't replicate Barcelona in NYC.

I love Casa Mono but it's totally not traditional at all, although it is a bit loud, cramped, like some of the great spots in Barcelona. Txikito is very good but a bit overpriced, and more Basque style. But, hey, you can get that lovely txacoli wine. Boqueria is good, not great, a notch below Casa Mono and Txikito but still good, and the most traditional of the places I've tried. I like Alta but the menu is really all over the place, and it's also non-traditional. Degustation is excellent, I loved it, but it's much more modern/nouveau and creative.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/642164
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/581954

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Casa Mono
52 Irving Place, New York, NY 10003

[amyr]

Thanks Kathryn for the advice. I guess we'd like something more traditional. I looked at Boqueria's menu and their selections seem to be what we want. Funny that you mention padron peppers, that was my husband's favorite dish in Barcelona. I hope they have them at Boqueria. He also loved the octopus, hot or cold. I loved everything. By the way, there are two locations for Boqueria, any preference for one or the other?
I don't think Boqueria takes reservations but the show ends at 5:00 so it'll be early enough when we get to the restaurant.
Thaks again.
Amy

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Boqueria
53 W 19th St, New York, NY 10011

[kathryn]

I think the Soho location of Boqueria is a bit bigger/newer, but the Flatiron location is nice too, and you can go for a drink at the Flatiron Lounge, too before/after.

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Boqueria
53 W 19th St, New York, NY 10011

Flatiron Lounge
37 W 19th St, New York, NY 10011