Side notes- Prices aren't online, and the menu changes frequently. In general, as of a few months…read moreago, the pintxos/bites are $14 to $16, the entradas/appetizers are mostly in the low or mid-$20s, and the platos/entrees are mostly in the $30s and $40s. Anyway, I was at this dimly lit Basque restaurant a while back with a small group. The place got pretty loud eventually, and the service was friendly. As we were waiting, I had some time to kill and ordered a tasty vermut. In this case, it was the Lustao Blanco for $16 on the rocks with an olive. In terms of small bites/Pintxos, someone ordered the Gildas for $14 while waiting, and another person enjoyed the similarly tiny Croquetas de Jamón for the same price point. Speaking of prices, I am unsure exactly how much everything cost, and I can't find descriptions of everything I ate, so I'm approximating, which is why you'll see the "~" before each price point. My entrada, or appetizer, was the Salmorejo de Atún for ~$25. Salmorejo is essentially a much thicker version of gazpacho, with olive oil, tomato, bread, and a few other ingredients. In this case, it was topped with plenty of raw tuna, cucumbers, and other greens. The cold soup worked surprisingly well with the high-quality fatty tuna, and I would order this again if I came back here. Another person ordered one of the appetizers as their entree, the Bikini Hemingway, which is a type of sandwich. In this case, it was ~$25 and was filled with txistorra, queso, shrimp, and pan de cristal. They seemed to like it but not love it. My main dish/plato was, unfortunately, the Magret de Pato for ~$40, with grilled magret duck breast, port and foie sauce, and pomme purée. Unfortunately, a few pieces of the duck were a little chewy, especially the ones with more fat. The sauce was alright, tasting like a slightly above-average red wine demi-glace with a touch more richness and sweetness than usual. The pomme purée was good, being rich with a nice texture. Overall, I think a bit of acid would have helped as well. This was alright, and I would have appreciated some bread to mop up the remaining sauce. Another person thought the Bacalao for ~$35, which was topped with two shrimp in this presentation, was pretty good. This place reminded me of Txikito in many ways. Both are a bit too pricey for the quality, with comparable food. For spending around $100, there are many other spots I would prefer, such as Casa Mono, El Pote, or a few others. If I were to go back, I'd probably just order appetizers. I'll leave the same score as the other restaurant, a bare 4/upper 3, and I would give a 3.5 if available.

We didn't have a bad bite! Stand outs of the night include the bikini Hemingway, pinxtos…read morematrimonio, and basque cheesecake. We also got the chips with Iberico, ham croquettes, and arroz conjejo. Fun Spanish wine list to go with it!

It's been awhile but this local place for Spanish cuisine is still here…read more PARKING - it's Manhattan by the tunnel but there is a garage on 39th available ENTRANCE - the bar maid greeted us with a smile and was extremely congenial. Checked our reservation and seated us promptly AMBIANCE - very rustic and Sevilla looking. They updated the decor a bit and it's nice. CAPACITY - the place is still small like 30 tables so a reservation will be needed for Friday night and weekends MENU - great choices and appetizers. You are covered for many authentic Spanish dishes SERVICE - great waiter and bus service. Never an empty glass and offered great suggestions for a few of us unfamiliar with Spanish cuisine APPETIZERS - the chorizo was fabulous. The octopus was cooked to perfection. And the shrimp and garlic sauce was amazing ENTREES - the paellas were very good. Many years ago they were a 9 out of 10 for me. I give it an 8 if 10 now. I tried the arroz con pollo which was very good as well. VINO - the Spanish wine by the bottle we tried was very good. They were out of the marquis rascal but the recommendation did not disappoint DESSERT - we had no room for more than coffee. However the list looked great. I'll try the flan next time RESTROOM - although very small, they were very clean and recently remodeled. PRICE - we had a party of 6 with 2 bottles of wine and the bill sans tip was $425. No awful at all.

I'm extremely sad to give only 3 stars to El Pote but the food wasn't it. The croquetas were not…read morethe right consistency (lack of bechamel and weird bread coating) and then the rice in the arroz negro was overcooked and didn't taste like what I'm use to back home. Also they didn't have alioli (a must when it comes to paellas). But I would say that the service was exceptional and the HH beers and wines were very good. The food came quickly and it gives Spanish restaurant vibes inside. I might give it another chance in the future.

alcala_nyc delivers a true taste of Spain with soulful tapas, comforting plates, and a wine list…read morethat feels deeply personal (yes, the chef even makes his own wine ). Every dish reflects Chef Jesús' Galician heritage -- thoughtful, heartfelt, and full of flavor. The space feels warm and inviting, like being welcomed into a family meal rather than just another dinner reservation. From the bold garlic shrimp and perfectly cooked paella to tender grilled tuna and baby squid, every bite is worth savoring.

Alcala is simply the best Spanish food you can find in New York City. I was transported back to…read moreSpain and honestly have not had many better meals in the country of Spain itself. The owner, service, decor and quality of the ingredients are unmatched, and I would recommend this place to absolutely anyone. I will definitely be back and it is one of my favorite restaurants now in New York City.

We made a reservation for brunch for a party of six, and this was my first time visiting Fonos of…read moreSpain. From the moment we arrived, the experience was great. We used the valet service, and upon walking inside, I noticed an older gentleman playing the piano in the foyer, which gave the place a really nice atmosphere. Even though the restaurant was busy, our wait was only about 5-10 minutes. While waiting, I couldn't help but notice how large the restaurant is. There are two bars and several separate dining areas that looked perfect for larger parties and special occasions. Once seated, we were served fresh bread while looking over the menu. I ordered the 32-ounce prime rib with A1 sauce, red peppers, and roasted potatoes. I also had the chance to try some of the sea bass. Both dishes were excellent. The prime rib was tender, flavorful, and cooked perfectly, while the sea bass was fresh and well-prepared. A special shoutout to our waiter, Milan, who was attentive, friendly, and made sure everything was taken care of throughout our meal. Overall, it was a fantastic brunch experience, and I will absolutely be back in the near future.

The ambiance is amazing it brings you back to Spain and the staff is extremely friendly. It's…read moreupscale but not snobby, you will get an amazing meal and drinks and leave happy. Our group ordered the Seafood Paella and had plenty for leftovers, stuffed sole, branzino, grilled octopus, salad and numerous drinks including their sangria. The Paella was full of flavor and a very large portion, two people ordered one to share and even sharing it with the other three in the group there was a ton left. The stuffed Sole was well sized and filled properly with shrimp, scallops and more. Highly recommend and it was cooked perfectly. The mash potatoes were a miss that came with it not seasoned and bland. The branzino was cooked perfectly and well seasoned. The grilled octopus was a little chewy which was disappointing but it was packed with flavor and would try again. If you're in Newark and want an amazing meal, highly recommend this place just note it's not cheap but it's worth every penny.

My cousin from out of town recently visited and we dined here at Toledo Spanish Restaurant and we…read morewere thoroughly impressed! The ambiance was beautiful, combining warm colors and elegant decor that created a welcoming atmosphere. Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted by Juan, who set a positive tone for the evening. Our server, Wilmer, was exceptionally attentive throughout our meal, ensuring we had everything we needed. We indulged in the fried calamari and escargot bourgogne for appetizers and the main meals were Paella A La Valencia's which had chicken and chorizos Paella A La Marinera with Saffron rice, lobster, shrimp, scallops, clams & mussels which was flavorful and perfectly cooked. The combination of saffron, fresh seafood, and tender chicken gave a delightful taste of Spain. We finished off with the Apple Tart and the Flan for desserts. Overall, our experience at Toledo was fantastic, and I can confidently say that I will be returning for more culinary delights. Highly recommended for anyone looking to enjoy authentic Spanish cuisine in a beautiful setting! Buen Provecho!

Went to the place last night. It was terrible! We had to ask for everything several times When…read morewe asked to see cocktail list we were told they don't have one. We all had different sauces (according to the dish description ) but they all looked the same Also my dish came out last and as they plated food for everyone in my party they didn't plate mine. The food was not good and the service was not good

Both the meals and the service exceed what you might expect. Workers elevate this restaurant to…read moreexceptional status. The meals are delicious and the environment enhances them. This place has a beautiful atmosphere. Remarkably content.

Before I moved to NYC, I'd never heard people refer to "Spanish food". In Chicago there was…read more"Mexican" food, "Costa Rican" food, etc, etc., so I wondered if people talking about "Spanish food" was the equivalent of Dan Quayle saying a few years ago that people in Latin America spoke Latin, in other words terribly off the mark and vaguely offensive. This also gets us into this whole authentic food vs inauthentic discussion, but if a family has a Mexican Father and a Puerto Rican Mother, hey whatever the result is from a culinary perspective and otherwise is probably as legit as anything. Variety, you know, is the spice of life. Darlene is in that spirit. I've been there a couple of times, and found the various plates of meats and rice I tried to be tasty, but, truth be told, not as good as Sophie's. I sat down before, and realized this last time that this was for the best because take out service can be chaotic and slow and I'm sure you don't want to see the kitchen in action, if you know what I mean. This all being duly noted (see the mere three stars given), where the Carribean met Mexico on my last visit was a place called Fantasy Island. My favorite meat from the Islands (Pernil), met my favorite fast food from Mexico (the burrito) and it was magic! I've never seen this in a Mexican place, but my dreams were fulfilled in a place selling "Spanish Food". If my lunch was inauthentic, then let me be a fraud. Only in New York, kids. Only in New York.