Best tapas in Manhattan?

[tsiblis]

Am interested in opinions

[msmel]

Wondering if Tertulia is better than Salinas? Back in NY and I am also searching for great tapas in Manhattan and those were two I kept hearing about...Any thoughts?

[kathryn]

Had a decent meal at Tia Pol last week while Txikito was closed for the 4th of July holiday. The croquetas de jamón were a hit, as were the lamb skewers with moorish spices. I liked the chorizo with sherry, though the dish was a little too sweet to my palate. They had a nice special of grilled scallops on sugar snap peas, which was perfectly cooked, which is always nice. The shrimp in olive oil with garlic and chili were only OK; my personal preference is to use larger shrimp. Deviled eggs with smoked paprika were excellent. The navarran-style trout with serrano ham, though, seemed like a pretty meager portion, and the trout didn't have much flavor, as it was slightly overcooked. The plato de embutidos also seemed a bit on the small side. Overall, it was good, but not great, and I prefer other places like Txikito, even though Txikito is more expensive.

[Charles Yu]

Be they tapas or not, the food at Casa Mono based on my experience a few days ago was absolutely superb. IMHO better tasting than Txikito's tapas
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/846758 ( photos attached ).

[kathryn]

When did you visit Txikito and what did you have?

[Charles Yu]

That was over 6 months ago!
Cannot remember full detail since meal was an impromptu decision with no camera in tow. However, remembered I had Crabmeat gratin, Creamy Croquettes, Grilled prawns with heads on, beef tongue, roasted leg of lamb and some type of white beans ( pochas? ) with mussels....etc
I'm not saying they are not tasty, however, I find Casa Mono's food has more depth and more to my liking. Its like seeking opinion about pasta dishes by Marea, Babbo or Lincoln. To each its own!

[kathryn]

They are pretty different styles. I find Casa Mono to be heavier, with bigger dishes that use more oil, with with very strong shellfish dishes. Txikito has a very different style, smaller dishes. I prefer their pork and housemate sausage/blood sausage dishes. I don't think you ordered many of my favorites there. I'll have to give CM another shot, my last meal there was disappointing.

[Simon]

Charles, i wish i'd known you were around -- i live within 100 metres of Casa Mono and while i don't eat there, i would have gladly invited you over for some wine and cheese and charcuterie at Casa Simon for an amuse bouche before your meal :) give a shout next time you're in town...

[Charles Yu]

Thank You chow friend!! With food like that, I'll definitely return soon!
Cheers!!!

[Miss Needle]

I know the board is head over heels with Txikito. While I thought it was fine, I prefer Casa Mono as well.

[JeremyEG]

For me, it's Txikito, hands down.
JeremyEG
HomeCookLocavore.com

[Pedr0]

Txikito (Arraultza, Piperrak, Pochas)
El Quinto Pino (Torreznos, Uni Bocadillo)
Pata Negra (Degustacion de Jamón)
Tia Pol (Croquetas, Almejas Al Vino)

Of those, Pata Negra has the best selection of Jamón.

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Tia Pol
205 10th Ave, New York, NY 10011

El Quinto Pino
401 W 24th St, New York, NY 10011

Pata Negra
345 E 12th St, New York, NY 10003

Txikito
240 9th Ave, New York, NY 10001

[Linsybee1]

I love Pipa and think it has a great selection of tapas as well as awesome sangria and is in a beautiful space. I particularly love the calamari!

http://www.pipa-nyc.com/

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Pipa
38 East 19th Street, New York, NY 10003

[Motosport]

We also like Pipa for the same reason. It may not be the "best" but it's up there. We also enjoy the Flamenco guitar and dancer. It's a nice touch.

[Monica]

Wow, Pipa is still around? That's where I discovered bacon wrapped dates when i was in college...yummmy.

[Motosport]

Still yummy!!

[kathryn]

Do you know if Pata Negra is serving Fermin or 5Js or another brand of jamon iberico de bellota?

[Pedr0]

I think they serve Fermín. Might have stop by today and double check!

[kathryn]

Tertulia serves the 5Js brand now. It is excellent. You can also buy it at Despana. It definitely tastes better to me than the Fermin brand.

[Pedr0]

Pata Negra now serving Cinco Jotas bellota. $50 a plate though.

[sushiman]

The top two are the top two in the city.

Tia Pol is not what it used to be.

Casa Mono is great, but not really tapas.

Solera in midtown is under-rated.

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Casa Mono
52 Irving Place, New York, NY 10003

Tia Pol
205 10th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Solera
216 E 53rd St, New York, NY 10022

[foodwhisperer]

I agree on Tia Pol, not too good. Casa Mono I like but some dishes are not really tapas.
Boqueria I'd have to say is my favorite. Degustation if they had the original chef back. The last time i went there it was bad, but it used to be excellent. When I was at Tertulia i did not recall any tapas, but maybe because i was more interested in pig and in paella. Flor de Sol has some good tapas dishes especially chorizo and potatoes and chicken villaroy.But it's old style dishes not gourmet type.

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

Flor de Sol
361 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013

[kathryn]

I would recommend going back and trying some of Tertulia's tapas. The sardine toast, the cojonudo, the broken egg toast. They have your standard croquettas, tortilla, padron peppers, etc. as well.

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Tertulia
359 6th Ave, New York, NY 10011

[foodwhisperer]

The sardine toast sounds like something I would enjoy. I remember now having the croquettes which if my memory serves me well, it was with Serrano ham. I will go back for tapas, thanks

[D...DF]

Did Wes Genovart leave Degustation? That's a serious bummer. Any idea where he went?

[kathryn]

SoLo Farm and Table in Vermont.
http://solofarmandtable.com/about-us/

[D...DF]

Thanks. Boo.

[kathryn]

I would say Txikito or Tertulia. I find both of these to be better than Las Ramblas, Boqueria, Casa Mono, Mercat, etc.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/814657
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/805167#6796739
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/801956
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/797801

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Txikito
240 9th Ave, New York, NY 10001

Tertulia
359 6th Ave, New York, NY 10011

[famdoc]

I can't speak with any authority, not having been to Txikito, but we really enjoyed tapas at Gastroarte and found several that brought back memories of a week we spent in Madrid.

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Gastroarte
141 W 69th St, New York, NY 10023