Traditional Spanish Cuisine is Alive and Well in NYC

If we’re talking Spanish food, we have to be talking seafood. A vital part of any Spanish menu, the seafood selection has to be pristine. Fresh filets are the building block of a traditional Spanish meal. This is why New York City has become a haven for high-quality Spanish cuisine. Its seafood markets have been thriving for years, earning NYC reputation as a seafood capital of the world.

It’s never just the ingredients that make a great meal. it’s about the chef, the process, and, of course, the restaurant’s atmosphere. Check out these four(from my favorites) uniquely Spanish takes on New York City restaurants from family style sit-down restaurants to tapas bars.

Alcala

Jesus Martinez - Chef & Owner of Alcala (Spanish Restaurant in New York)

With daily lunch specials, seasonal menus, and generous tapas, Alcala’s Spanish menu finds the perfect balance between tradition and variety. Known the world over because of their international clientele (located a short walk from the U.N.) Alcala has spent the last five years reinvigorating Midtown, New York City, and turning it into one of the fastest growing culinary neighborhoods. With a focus on a friendly and family atmosphere, Jesus Martinez, owner and chef, has turned Alcala into a true dining destination fit for anyone. Alcala’s large menu and even more impressive wine list makes it easy to enjoy a meal you won’t soon forget.


Tía Pol

With a Madrid style tapas bar, small plates and daily changing special that represents the different regions of Spain, Tía Pol invites guest to experience Spain in the heart of West Chelsea, New York. Moderately sized and easy on the pockets, Tía Pol boast of a great Spanish wine list that represents the rich & diverse heritage of Spain. This Chelsea Tapas bar is probably the best traditional Spanish restaurant in the city that serves the best skewers of lamb, variety of shark and cod dishes, gazpacho, patatas bravas, chorizo con chocolate and crunchy croquettes.


Huertas

Huertas is famous for interpreting the cuisine and culture of the northern area of Spain, which is commonly known as the Basque cuisine. If you are looking for a lively place to dine in, look no further. This tiny wood- clad room with its vibrant ambience is perfect for you to visit with friends and enjoy great conversations over great food. Huertas also features a bright bar, which is perfect for their Basque-inspired Tapas called Pintxos. Jonah Miller, Huertas’ chef, has created a concise menu of Basque-inspired tapas (pintxos) or small bites that are best enjoyed with their long list of Spanish wines, cider, sherry, classic Spanish beverages or their house-made vermouth. One shouldn’t leave without having the dessert here.

Casa Mono

Located just east of Union Square, Casa Mono is a Tapas bar-restaurant that is inspired by the Costa Brava region of Spain. Costa Brava, which is situated in Northern Spain, is the coastal region of Catalonia. This warm intimate space comfortably holds around 13 tables apart from its bar area. The menu here boasts of classic dishes with a modern twist, thanks to their executive Chef Andy Nusser who grew up in the northern part of Spain. If you happen to sit at the bar you will experience the grill and the plates cooked in all its smoky glory, ‘à la plancha’. A point to be noted about Casa Mono is that it is a Michelin Star restaurant and also has a sister restaurant called Bar Jamón which is located just next to Casa Mono. Dishes that are a must have here are the eggplant escabeche, Octopus with fennel and grapefruit and bacalao croquetas.

Our favorite Spanish restaurants in New York have a causal, family feel that is sure to take you through a gastronomical journey across various regions in Spain.  Buen Provecho!

Why food lovers love Spanish cuisine

The essence of Spanish food is enjoying rich delicacies made with high quality ingredients over a long conversation with friends. Spain has brought one of the world’s best cuisines in the world to New York and the world’s biggest food trend – tapas. And this is well appreciated by a Spanish food lover in US. Here we find great joy in two dishes that have become a crowd favorite in no time. Churros and chorizo. Each of these Spanish cuisine specialties have a big fan following in whether it’s in a restaurant or on the street. What makes chorizos an instant favorite is that this simple spice pork sausage can be had in so many ways. Spanish food lovers can play with it and add a sauce to make it their own. As for churros, who doesn’t love fried dough with sugar and cinnamon coating dunked in chocolate? It is not just these dishes, there are other popular foods like patatas bravas – crispy fried potatoes, and paella. Paella is a simple rice dish with so many varieties that foodies consider it the most versatile comfort food of the world.

Taste of Spain in New York

Spanish people celebrate life. And they do it with delicious food and wine. Although tapas is what is the hero of a Spanish restaurant’s menu, the true authenticity is known by the Spanish wines served. Other than the great wines, Spanish restaurants in New York try to use a very diverse range of Spanish ingredients, like the great cured meats and cheeses, dried peppers like guindilla and ñora, and spices like pimentón de la Vera. Cheeses of every type are a Spanish food necessity. They are made from sheep, cow, goat, and mixed milks. They range from aged cheeses, such as the manchego, to the soft and creamy cheeses such as tetilla. And all these cheeses are eaten as tapas dishes, during meals and also for dessert. No wonder, Spanish cuisine is constantly on the rise. After all, Spanish cuisine has everything starting from halibut to shrimp and even octopus and baby eels. Fish and shellfish are all essential for a Spanish food lover in authentic Spanish restaurant menus. But not every restaurant in NY understands what a Spanish cuisine lover in US wants.

But one restaurant in Midtown, New York has been a constant choice for many Spanish cuisine lovers. Whether it is a regular lunch or a special foodie tour, many Spanish food lovers come to Alcala looking for authentic home-like food. Some visitors absolutely fall in love with the tapas menu where the sirloin steak in a delicious cheese-based gravy, a favorite with many other strong contestants. The red sangria is also a popular choice along with the other Spanish wines. But what still wins over a true Spanish food lover is the relaxed, never in a rush pace of this cozy Spanish restaurant in New York. For a simple Spanish meal, food lovers come to Alcala and simply enjoys a long meal with tapas, wine and paella.

Alcala - Spanish Restaurant in New York

Spanish Cuisine - The most diverse cuisine in the world

Spanish cuisine differs drastically from region to region. Spain has a complex history of diverse small kingdoms coming together, each with their own traditions. And then there are the foreign influences. That is why Spanish cuisine has recipes changing every few miles due to cultural and geographical differences. Sometimes the only common ingredients found in these delicacies are olive oil and garlic. Spanish cuisine is one of the few cuisines that still uses the age old cooking methods and ingredients which has helped in keeping alive the essence of traditional flavors and adding a little twist when suited. With Spanish restaurants trying to experiment and establish themselves in every part of the world, the cuisine has been evolving and is more known to people around the globe. In the recent years, foodies have been looking for much more than just good food. They want the right ambience, innovative recipes, locally sourced produce and most importantly – variety. And that variety is best provided by Spanish cuisine because of the diverse culinary regions of Spain.

Diversified and Delicious Spanish Cuisine

Spain is popularly divided into six regions on the basis of taste buds. Food found in Galicia and Asturias are said to be from the North of Spain and are characterized by lots of sauces and seafood. Then comes the region that is the home of the chilindrones, sautéed peppers, tomatoes and onions, the Pyrenees. Here onion is a common accompaniment to various dishes. The third region is the Cataluña region where the concept of casseroles or cazuelas is bountiful. The Eastern region includes the Community of Valencia, where the hero delicacies are rice-based like the popular Paella Valenciana. Then there is Andalucía, where fried fish is a staple food and the locals serve a drink only when accompanied with tapas to munch and crunch on. Central Spain is where roast meats and cocidos or stews rule the diets every day. This is the region of Castilla-Leon.

Spanish cuisine is not just about different region but can also be categorized by ingredients found in these particular regions. Spain is the lead producer of olive oil, and olives are grown all over Andalucia. Many typical dishes in Spanish restaurants are fried in olive oil.

Did you know! Cocido, olla, pote, guiso, estofado, or escudella are all Spanish terms for stew. Every region in Spain has a version of this dish and yet this one dish is an important part of the cuisine. Not to forget other dishes like Paella, and the world popular tapas. Who doesn’t like indulging in the bite-size heavenly food masterpiece?

Today you can find tapas bars all over New York City. You can find an elaborate menu of tapas at a popular favorite called Alcala in Midtown New York. Their tapas menu is just as delicious as it looks. The Albondigas are well seasoned and the perfect portion size to enjoy with drinks. Other tapas to look for in their menu are the salted cod wrapped in pimento, grilled sardines and charcutterie. This restaurant is a perfect spot for the first date with some comfort food from the specials of Spanish cuisine. Do give tapas a try and as the Spanish say, "Buen provecho!"

Alcala - Spanish Restaurant in New York - http://www.alcalarestaurant.nyc/

The best Spanish restaurant in New York

A spoonful of Olive oil, a clove of garlic and a pinch of paprika. The simple ingredients for a perfect dinner for the lovers of Spanish cuisine. Spanish cuisine is made of traditional, earthy, simple food that boasts of the ingredients available locally or the crops grown regionally. Spanish cuisine is very varied. The first recipes were written way back in the fourteenth century and since then the cuisine has been influenced by many. The Moors, Sephardic Jews, Arabs, French and Italians, as well as the natives going on journeys around the globe, resulted in a huge range of new ingredients. Ingredients that have a character of their own and give a completely new personality to a delicacy, every time they are paired differently. All this with the variances across the country in geography, culture and climate, have given birth to a cuisine that is extremely diverse. Giving an astounding thousands of recipes and flavors to experience. This influence is clearly seen in many recipes in many restaurants. But one thing remains the same, Spanish cuisine is inherently fresh, abundant and full of flavor.

Delicious and Authentic Spanish Cuisine - Alcala

The Spanish love their food, and love serving it to others. Every Spanish restaurant tries to bring part of the Spanish culture to New York through the wines and the food but only a few succeed. Unlike other popular food, Spanish cuisine drifts in and out of fashion. There are weeks when paella is a global favorite and there are times when foodies will turn against calling the simple, brined olives an admirable appetizer. But through the crests and troughs, a handful of restaurants consistently offer a taste of true cuisine. The American foodie especially New Yorkers are always looking for Spanish restaurants in New York that offer a nuanced menu of tapas and regional specialties. And these restaurants have long gone beyond serving the main culinary dishes like tapas, paella and sangria. Spanish restaurants have struck a chord with the New Yorker’s taste buds in the last decade. Everyone knows their tapas. Whether it’s garlic shrimp or stuffed mussels or ham croquettes. One doesn’t need to be a chef to see that Spanish cuisine is on a rise.

But who is doing it best? With over 450 Spanish restaurants in New York, it’s a tough choice on who you should trust with your paella. But Alcala, a popular Spanish restaurant in New York, makes it easy for everyone. Simple delicacies executed with fresh and organic ingredients excites the American palate and leaves them wanting more of this authentic restaurant. Their tapas are best in the area and the Gambas al Ajillo-Shrimp in a sizzling garlic sauce is a crowd favorite. People love to visit this place for its cozy ambience and immense hospitality. With a perfect location, Alcala sees many regular visitors from the nearby offices and also admirers travelling far distances. This dining spot is serving delicious home style Spanish food. The next time you’re in Midtown East, New York go for a scrumptious Spanish lunch.

Source: - http://www.alcalarestaurant.nyc/