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Alta
Categories: Restaurants Tapas Bars Restaurants Mediterranean Tapas Bars, Mediterranean [Edit]
64 W 10th St(between 5th Ave & 14th St)
New York, NY 10011
Neighbourhood: Greenwich Village
(212) 505-7777
- Nearest Transit:
-
W 4 St (A, B, C, D, E, F, M)
6 Av (L)
Christopher St - Sheridan Sq (1, 2)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 6 pm - 11 pm
Fri-Sat 5:30 pm - 1 am
Sun 6 pm - 10:30 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Ambience:
- Romantic
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
770 reviews for Alta
Review Highlights
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"Crispy Bacon-wrapped Dates and Olives - Yum." In 122 reviews -
"fried goat cheese with lavender-infused honey." In 49 reviews -
"I am still dreaming about those brussel sprouts." In 182 reviews
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770 reviews in English
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Review from Tanya G.
5/20/2012
I have been dying to come here for months. On my (self-serving) recommendation for a location for my father's 60th, we booked for a party of 10. Upon arrival, Billy (the maitre-d'?) was very inviting and receptive to our needs. Our server, Jeff, did an amazing job constructing our order and firing the courses. I must have tasted at least half of the menu, but the following are my personal stand-outs.
Bacon Wrapped Dates: Not a huge bacon fan (GASP, I know), nor a huge date fan. But WOW...what an epic salty-sweet, crispy-chewy, utterly perfect combination.
Philadelphia Truffle Surprise: Decadent and rich deep fried pockets oozing with truffled cream cheese. What more is there to say?
Crispy Brussel Sprouts: This is no BS, these sprouts are crispy, caramelized, and a great way to bring a veggie to the table.
P.E.I. Mussels: Hands down the meatiest mussels I have had. They had a clean, fresh flavor, and came out in a dynamite spicy tomato sauce.
Hanger Steak: The striking presentation, including bright green avocado foam, is a great opener. The black-and-blue, tender, flavorful steak is an even better finisher.
My only qualm was the Braised Octopus salad. The small, chewy discs of octopus were overwhelmed by a heavily vinegared dressing and plentiful slaw.
Otherwise, absolutely sensational.
WARNING: This place gets BOOKED UP. Be sure to call a few days in advance to ensure you will get in. -
Review from Angie L.
New Providence, NJ
5/22/2012
A group of about 10 of us went to Alta for a going-away party for a dear friend who was moving to Europe. It was a long evening and the wine was flowing - my memory is a little fuzzy, but I'll do the best I can here.
First off, we could not find the place. Or rather, our GPS couldn't. It was about half a block off on the location. Street parking was kind of a nightmare on a Saturday night, so we pulled into a garage a few blocks away. We headed back towards the restaurant. Thank goodness we had a general idea of where we were going because this is a blink-and-you'll-miss-it spot. There are no signs, and I don't remember even seeing a number on the outside of the building.
Anyway... we got inside and found out our party was up on the 3rd floor. If you are claustrophobic, I'd advise against getting seating up there. The layout was just seemed very narrow and the room arrangements made things feel a bit too closed-off. However, the ambiance was nice - the lighting wasn't overly dim and the furniture had a lovely old-world feel. However, possibly due to the layout of the restaurant, the noise was almost intolerable at times. Every conversation sounded like it echoed endlessly off the walls so you'd have to talk louder to be heard over it, which only served to create an even larger cacophony. Our waiter could barely make out our orders, which always leads to surprises when the food comes. Like how we got plates we didn't ask for and had to have them sent back. Oops.
As I didn't know anyone else at dinner save for the guest of honor and my fiance, I can't speak for any of the things ordered by others at the table. I will however, rave about the braised short ribs and the skirt steak. Yum. The smells from these two plates were amazing. I love me some meat, so I dug right in to my skirt steak. It was so deliciously tender and the chimicurri sauce had a really beautiful freshness to it. My fiance inhaled his short ribs so all I got was a bit of scrap that was hiding under the pasta. He grunted something upon swallowing, though I have no idea what he was trying to say. As much as he enjoyed the short ribs, he was not exactly keen on the pasta. Why? Because it's made from beets, which are kind of a weird ingredient for pasta. We did bravely eat a bit of it, just so we didn't feel guilty for not trying. I can't say that it was bad or anything, just... different. Not really to our liking, but YMMV.
20 or 30 plates and several bottles of wine were consumed by our group, and everyone had an enjoyable time. The only really strange thing about the evening came when we all went to pay for the meal. The restaurant only takes cash or American Express, so be warned. Thankfully, we had checked on that in advance so none of us were surprised by it.
Which Alta isn't my favorite tapas restaurant (or the most cost-effective since I found the portions a bit stingy for the price), it's definitely a place to try if you like tapas. Just make sure you double check everything they bring to your table... just in case! -
Review from Ankit M.
Manhattan, NY
5/13/2012
Excellent food and nice cozy ambiance. Love the place.
Brussel sprouts and the clam+bacon ravioli is a must!
Also love the mushroom pizza and the shrimp skwers! -
Review from Roong S.
Brooklyn, NY
5/21/2012
Great tapas, love the food ^___^
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Review from Saroj K.
Bronx, NY
5/20/2012
This restaurant made me fall in love with brussels sprouts and mushrooms.
I hated brussels sprouts and mushrooms prior to visiting this restaurant.
That alone warrants a 5-star rating. -
Review from Brittany S.
Manhattan, NY
5/20/2012
I love the food at Alta but that's about it. I've enjoyed delicious meals here several times because the food is good but this review is really about the service. I called to make a reservation on Thursday May 17th and I cannot even explain how rude the women in charge of answering the phone was. She could not have been more annoyed that I was making a reservation. When I confirmed the reservation on Saturday the person answering the phone (sounded like the same woman) was still very annoyed.
What the heck Alta? Sounds like you need an attitude adjustment.
The food wasn't as good as it has been in the past
The server was running around like a crazy person (I had to flag her down about 3 or 4 times to order, see a desert menu, get the check)
After having to deal with the rude woman on the phone we were still seated about 20 minutes late
There are way too many amazing restaurants in NYC to settle for this type of treatment. Nice knowing you Alta. -
Review from Juliana H.
5/7/2012
A pleasant meal. Despite the line up of couples, my party of four cut to the front of the line and we were seated in under ten minutes. The place was jumping, and I did like the atmosphere. Our server was personable and professional.
We tried an assortment of dishes including the evening special of fois gras. Very few of the dishes blew my mind, but all were decent. The particular standouts were the short ribs and the steak tartare. The portion size varied greatly. Some dishes were so tiny it was a bit of a joke sharing with a group while others were more than adequate. Even still, we enjoyed it, and at the end of it all, the bill was reasonable too. -
Review from Yolanda L.
KNICKERBOCKER, NY
Updated - 4/22/2012
The brussels sprouts were amazing. Who knew a day like this would come where I would broadcast my love of brussels sprouts to the world? I loove Alta so I had to write another review :)
CB and I finished our portion and the smell of delicious sprouts wafted over from a fresh order on the table across from us and we seriously contemplated ordering another one.
The gnocchi with sea urchin melted in your mouth, and texture wise, ranks at the top of best gnocchi YL has ever had, the squid ink paella was loaded with seafood and I thought it was delicious but it has scallions it in and not everyone likes scallions (CB ate the seafood and left the rice with scallions).
Alta is on my my favorite spots in the city list and the best part is the menu changes so there will always be something new to try. Our waitress recommended 3 plates to share per person so to start we ordered 5 plates total and a bottle of wine bt after the 5 plates we felt one more would have been perfect to the last thin we ordered was the paella and it was just perfect.
If you eat a lot you might find yourself with a hole in your pocket since every plate is just the right size for a nibble for two (may a couple of nibbles for one) and then it's gone. If you're really down to splurge, and they recommend this for a party of 6 or more, you can get the whole menu (they call it the whole shebang) for $480. Yum!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/3/2011
Alta always has awesome food and that says a lot since I get different dishes every time I come… Read more »
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Review from Wendy L.
New York, NY
4/30/2012
I love love love Alta. Love it. On the whole, I'm a fan of tapas because you get the chance to try multiple dishes and not commit to any one thing. And so far, there isn't one thing at Alta that I haven't liked. The atmosphere depends on where you're seated in the three-story restaurant, but you'll enjoy yourself no matter where that is.
It's a really great place to go with work people - especially if you have a large group. I've gone now multiple times getting "the whole shebang" (translation: the whole menu for everyone to try), and it makes it easier to split the bill without worrying who ordered which dishes and their related costs.
I would recommend against going with only one or two people, as then you don't get the chance to try as many dishes. Though if you do, my favorites are the bacon-wrapped dates, brussels sprouts, and short rib. Try them, you won't be disappointed! -
Review from Lauren L.
4/5/2012 6 photos
Is there someway, somehow I can rewind back to last night so I can have this meal all over again? I don't like to go to spots twice, I'd come here again and again. So many plates of deliciousness that need to get in my belly, STAT.
First off you would never ever expect this spot to the be the size that is it. It's deceiving when walking down the staircase and then BAM. A gorgeous dim lit restaurant awaits you. The decor here is stunning, rustic and romantic. You're first welcomed by the bar and the hostess stand is found at the end. They do take reservations, if you wanna dine here I highly suggest making one. Make sure you reserve the upper dining area. This way you're able to take it all in. You do you have the confirm your own reservation here. If they don't hear from you by 3 PM, tables a goner, don't blow it.
They've got a great selection of beers, wines and cocktails. Note, if you want to grow hair on your chest order yourself a Spanish Manhattan. This drink is unbearable even for a whiskey drinker.
Now onto the important things. The menu is extensive and creative. There were so many items that stood out but the selection we made was right on point. If you wanna eat some good food, order the following:
Fried Goat Cheese with lavender infused honey. Almost skipped this one but c'mon its a given. Four creamy yet tangy fried cheese balls with a little sweet side of honey? Yes please.
House-Made Pizza porcini cream, Fontina, crimini mushrooms, fried garlic, aleppo. Perfect for two people, crust is super thin and topped ever so nicely with thinly sliced mushrooms. The use of truffle oil here would have really made this award winning.
Braised Octopus, Carrot & Daikon Salad citrus cumin dressing, cilantro. POW! Get this. If you don't you've missed one of the best dishes. The octopus was prepared perfectly, but I'm pretty sure they cut it on a mandolin, so don't expect hunks of octoupus. A colorful dish too, pretty to the eye, pleasing to the palate. The dressing is what may have made this dish for me.
Grilled Japanese Eggplant Feta, watercress, sweet & sour shallots, toasted sesame seeds. I love eggplant. Grilled and maybe even roasted for a quick minute, the sweet and sour combo here really kicked up the flavor of this delicious purple veggie.
Avocado Relleno with crabmeat & shrimp, frisee, and orange segments. Protein up. Don't be fooled when this comes to the table. While it may just look like avocado, its naaaat. It's chuck full of fresh and tasty crab meat and shrimp, so get into it. The touch of orange added a nice hint of sweetness to the main player.
Seared Sea Scallops spiced spaghetti squash, toasted walnut, black truffle froth. Wait, everything I love the most in one dish? Three nice sized scallops browned perfectly are playing around with some truffle froth for additional flavor. Mmmmm delicious.
I highly suggest coming with an appetite but more importantly good company and with someone who appreciates food. I was happy they staggered the plates otherwise we would have been SOL and there are no table extensions or four tops here for two people. The service was good and not over bearing in the least. Helpful with menu suggestions but snobby about the Spanish Manhattan. That's a story for another day. It's only cash or AMEX so come prepared. -
Review from Shalimar P.
Brooklyn, NY
4/10/2012
Excellence in cuisine, service, and ambiance.
Arouses the Dickens in me.
Present (crispy brussel sprouts, braised short-ribs): The salty friend-of-a-friend who had somehow tumbled into my life decided to take her out-of-town friends there - I tagged along to cover the bill. Pleasantly surprised by the malbec inspired chit-chat, but realized over the course of the night that she's not to be the mother of my children.
Past (mozzarella skewer, skirt steak): It was a twelve-year anniversary of sorts, and the first time we'd been alone together since she'd gotten married. The tentative hugs segued into an evening of old familiarities. I remembered her favorite wine; she took a picture of the food and me, but not us. Despite the tender afterhours, we avoided reminiscing altogether too much.
Future (wok seared calamari; enormous whole shrimp): After a long walk on an Indian summer night, I decided to slake our desires at Alta - she preferred to avoid decisions on first encounters. The rioja drained slowly as the tales poured forth (yes to eating shrimp heads, no we didn't want to leave half an hour past closing time despite being the only ones left, yes she looked amazing in green). This is a story for the kids. -
Review from Louis R.
4/5/2012
I know about tapas...I hit up Barcelona, Spain, on the regular tip. Me and the Catalan peeps kick it like no other.
The interior reminds me of a house in Sevilla, Spain...totally legit decor. Dark, candle-lit, romantic, cozy, an upstairs area for intimate dinner dates...**PLUS you can look down a big-tittay'd chick's dress from up there**...Jus sayin
Tore up some octopus, goat cheese balls, avocado salad, scallops (don't pronounce it like you're from Massachusetts), grilled eggplant...and lots of Estrella Damm (this is the preferred beer of the Spaniards).
This spot is uber-dope because its not easy to find and the opening is small...but once you enter....its like the Disney World of tapas delights.
I hope ya gotz a fat gangster roll like me or have Amex...otherwise, you'll be washing dishes there for a year. It ain't cheap.Listed in: Get Some
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Review from Patricia C.
ASTORIA, NY
4/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
The tapas at this restaurant are some of the most unique I've ever had. My absolute favorite of the evening - fried goat cheese with lavender infused honey. I NEVER saw this one coming but it's an unbelievably perfect balancing act - crunchy and gooey, salty and sweet. The lavender seems like it's coming from left field but absolutely belongs. Do not pass up the opportunity to try this one!
The brussels sprouts were highly recommended. I love brussels so I gave them a try. Pretty damn tasty. Maybe not the best I've ever had but the apples are an interesting touch that I've never seen before and they do complement the brussels well.
The empanadas are great. I mean how can you go wrong with tender pork encased in crusty pastry??? The dipping sauce is the true standout. Fresh and herby but not overpowering.
I also though the spaghetti peperoncini was above and beyond your average spaghetti dish although not everyone at the table was as impressed as I was. It was my first taste of bottarga and there are some other elements of the sea mixed in. I'd absolutely order it again.
I have to say almost everything that I had at this restaurant was a new flavor experience for me and that's not an easy thing to achieve. The ambience is outstanding. Very cozy and intimate. Great for a date or a group of friends. Just don't expect a cheap meal. -
Review from Daniel M.
4/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
First, only taking AmEx or cash is absolutely abhorrent in 2012 (they need to change the "Accepts Credit Cards" to NO - since they only accept the one)
Second, the reservations process is a *bit* clumsy (where I am supposed to call to confirm the day of the reservation - um, what do you pay your staff to actually do? On top of that, apparently they have 2 reservation books, so if you do call to confirm a pre-established reservation and they suddenly do not have it on record, ask them to consult the other book - or better yet, get a reservation somewhere else)
Long story short, the price-point for the quality of the food and service is WAY off.
The food comes out very quickly - TOO quickly - which means how am I supposed to know how long it's been sitting somewhere already-prepared and waiting for someone to order? Sorry, I want my dish made when I order it, not tanning under a heat lamp waiting for when a waiter comes back with the order.
If you are in the mood for seemingly complex tapas plates which are in fact bland and unimaginative at best - this is the place for you! I love bacon wrapped dates, so these were ordered before my a$$ hit the seat. BUT, the bacon wrapped olives which accompanied them (we got 3 of each, if memory serves me correct) verged on disgusting. Did the chef ever taste these? Green olives and bacon are NOT flavors that play well together.
The Crispy Brussels Sprouts are in fact very good. That is about all I can say about them though. The Braised Short-rib? Blah and bland, I wasn't even sure I was actually eating food. Skirt Steak? Don't bother, it was a crappy cut and tough. I can't even remember the rest of what we ordered which made our check over $200 in the end.
The waiter we got was pleasant, but remarkably ignorant about the menu and didn't seem too interested in giving an opinion about the various dishes. Look Alta, you have like a thousand things on your menu - your staff should be able to help guide diners in the right direction when they ask questions. If the waiters are too busy to do that, well hire more staff or cut down on the menu. Also, our waiter took off halfway through our meal to be replaced with another - who did not bother to introduce himself, or check up on our empty plates. After looking around for our original waiter for some time, I finally flagged what turned-out-to-be our new waiter down.
I'm glad we sat upstairs because the ambiance is far nicer up there - get a table up there if you're able. Perhaps it would be a nice place to come for a dessert and drink, but skip the poorly-executed menu for bigger meals. -
Review from Pamela T.
Brooklyn, NY
4/24/2012
My first time here was a year ago with my hubby. This place was highly recommended by my friend so we decided to give it a try. Their menu has so much to choose from and we ordered 6-7 items and loved it all.
Since then, we've decided to go back but gathered a group of people this time. We went last week with a group of 12 and ordered "The Whole Shebang". It was AMAZING. The food just kept coming and our stomach couldn't even keep up. By the end of the meal the dishes were being passed around repeatedly because we couldn't finish!!
The decor of this place is lovely and waitstaff are super friendly. They also have a vibrant bar scene and get busy even late at night. -
Review from A J.
Manhattan, NY
5/13/2012
I would give this place 3.5 stars if that were an option. It was neither a 4 star nor a true 3 star experience but I've rounded down (either because it was a smidge closer to 3 or because I'm a jerk.)
I went with a group of friends and ordered The Whole Shebang. And also the whole dessert menu. And several flights of dessert ports.
Pros:
-Fried goat cheese (I'm a sucker for lavender honey)
-Lamb meatballs (very flavorful and well textured)
-Scallops (the mango pairing is surprising but so good)
-Squid ink paella (THIS. THIS IS GREAT AND YOU SHOULD PUT IT IN YOUR FACE.)
-Dessert highlights: ricotta churros, panna cotta (we got three extra orders of both because we loved them so much). I see the panna cotta isn't on the menu right now but it was easily my favorite.
-Port flights were very nicely paired with the desserts
Cons:
-With all the things we ordered, we dropped a cool $1000 at this place. And it was kind of unpleasant to have to scurry out and find an ATM at the end of the meal since they are cash only (Amex excluded). -1star
-Service: the staff probably could have been nicer (both hostess and waitstaff). Might just be that it was a busy night and they were overworked but it kind of took away from the experience. -0.5star -
Review from Pia M.
3/29/2012
UM I'm actually dumbfounded by the fact that I haven't reviewed Alta yet. I probably think about this place once a week and never thought to visit the Yelp page because I was convinced I had already written a review. Must have been in my dreams (which I wouldn't put past myself). Anyways, onto the good stuff.
Alta is hands-down of the best restaurants in NYC. One of the few places I have been for a meal where I was literally OBSESSED with everything I ate and left wanting more. The restaurant atmosphere is altogether beautiful, romantic and inviting, with a rustic Mediterranean decor consisting of warm, orange walls, lanterns and candlelight.
The menu offers a hefty list of Spanish tapas that are creative and unique. Though we wanted to try everything on the menu, we went with the following and loved every last morsel:
~Bacon Wrapped Dates & Olives
~Whipped Deviled Egg
~Fried Goat Cheese
~Philadelphia Truffle Surprise
~Crispy Brussels Sprouts w/fuji apples, crème fraiche, pistachio nuts
~Seared Sea Scallops w/spiced spaghetti squash, toasted walnut, black truffle froth
~Angus Beef Slider in Turkish Yufka Pastry
~Pulled Pork Empanadas
~Chestnut & Mascarpone Ravioli
I'm sure I'm forgetting something... of the above, the bacon wrapped dates and brussel sprouts are a MUST-have. The truffle surprise, as well as the Turkish dish, are ones I probably wouldn't get again; they were still pretty good but the other seven thousand things we tried just blew them out of the water. As for drinks, we had the "non-classic sangria" which was yummy and got us preeetty toasted.
Definitely make a reservation if possible - you can request a table on the ground floor which is more upbeat or one on the 2nd floor (which overlooks the 1st floor) if you prefer a quiet, intimate date-like settling (vom... just kidding).
Will undoubtedly be back. It's location in the West Village is ideal for pre-night-out dinner.Listed in: Near and Dear, My Precious
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Review from Tiffany S.
Highland Park, NJ
3/22/2012
So. Many. Options. The menu way overwhelmed me but the waiter and Yelp helped out. My take (best to worst):
- pork belly confit: absolutely delicious. When is something slowly cooked in its own fat not delicious?
- Philly truffle surprise: RICH. Truffles and mushrooms and cream cheese, oh my.
- crispy brussel sprouts: I've had a lot of these lately, and the creme fraiche + apples added a nice refreshing twist. One of my fave dishes of the night.
- house pizza: solid.
- roasted bass: I can't really remember so I guess it was good but not great.
- shrimp and chorizo skewer: good, but not really a standout.
- lavender honey goat cheese: underwhelming. The sum of the flavors just equalled the parts for me.
- warm veggie salad: don't waste your stomach space.
Service was good, ambience was cozy. Minus one star for being a bit excessively pricey. Prepare to order a lot if you want to be full! -
Review from Leigh J.
Brooklyn, NY
4/19/2012
I LOVE ALTA!
I love the dim, romantic decor. Love the tasty, perfectly sized tapas they serve. Just love it.
With all of the many many restaurants in NYC, very few stand out to me. This place has me thinking about it months after I visit, pining for another trip. I highly recommend it to all of my friends.
You're in control of how expensive your night will be, but as a warning the plates aren't the cheapest. -
Review from Brian L.
WALL STREET, NY
3/27/2012
I came here with my girlfriend for our anniversary. we arrived a bit early and sat at the bar waiting for the restaurant to fully open. we ordered a couple tapas, they all were amazing! the mussels and brussel sprouts are definitely 2 things to order.
Warning the sangria here is not a conventional sangria. there is ALOT of liquor in it and will knock you off your feet
all in all the food was great, the decor was great! if you are going as a couple make sure you get seating upstairs, much better view.
i will be returning very soon! -
Review from Bassam K.
NY
4/18/2012
Located on one of Manhattan's best looking streets in the West Village, Alta is easily one of my favorite restaurants in the entire world. This is all you have to know:
Crispy Brussel Sprouts
Fried Goat Cheese
Bacon Wrapped Dates and Olives
Lamb Meatballs
Sangria
Actually the entire selection of tapas are very flavorful and if you're feeling adventurous, you can order the whole shebang for just $480!
Either way, you just can't go wrong. The space is well designed, cozy, and has great ambiance. A perfect place for large groups with the long bar in the front and two levels in the back but if you're on a date, snag the one table outside. That's the win win... -
Review from Mary Ann D.
Manhattan, NY
4/13/2012
Ambience: Very romantic. Perfect for a dinner date but their first floor dining room can easily accomodate groups. Alta has the rustic feel that you can find in the south of Spain.
Food: The smoke foie gras mousse was out of this world, followed by steak tartare and Risotto. For dessert, make sure to order the Pecan dessert and the souffle, both were amazing! Three tapas per person should be enough to fill you up!
Drinks: I ordered their signature sangria and they taste more like a sex on the beach or a Malibu cocktail - I'd say skip this and try the other cocktails on their menu.
All in all, we loved this place! The food were delicious and not overpriced. If you're looking to impress someone on a date, this is the place to go! -
Review from Tom F.
Manhattan, NY
4/13/2012
One star for the drinks and the building. The service was not bad either (except for the bus-boy that crop-dusted our table). However, the food was absolutely terrible - small, overpriced, and poor quality. The fact that it was small and pricy is not an immediate turn-off, but I expect the food to have taste. The food was such garbage that I walked out of the place feeling like I had been had. The calimari dish contained no visible calimari, but was filled with raman noodle. The avocado relleno was a half of avocado stuffed with frozen crab meet and no shrimp that I could see. Worst of all was the pizza - a flat sheet of cardboard 8x2 inches that was likely made a week ago.
We planned to order more plates after the first round, but quickly left for canas and tapas a short walk down the street.
I am embarassed for those that gave this place good reviews. -
Review from Mike P.
San Diego, CA
5/9/2012
Went with a party of six this last Friday. Every single person was blown away at the meal. We had a bunch of items and some of the standouts were the bacon wrapped dates & olives, fried goat cheese with honey, crab & avocado relleno, lamb meatballs, crispy brussel sprouts and the pork belly. Can't wait to go back next time I'm in NY and try more menu items. If you are a fan of small plates or delicious food in general, you gotta go.
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Review from Vanessa H.
Bronx, NY
3/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
Came for late St. Patrick's Day dinner after a long day at work. Pretty much cannot go wrong with any dish on this vast menu. There were five of us and we ordered approximately 15 dishes. Every dish was so amazing that I can't even provide any favorite because they were all my favorites. I need to find another excuse to come back soon, so I can try the entire menu!
As for drinks, the jalapeno margarita goes well with the food -- gives it an extra kick. I tried the ginger margarita, did not like it at all, and they graciously brought me another jalapeno one. My friends loved the wine/cocktail recommendations the waitress had made.
Have to make reservations at least a week or two in advance if you have a specific time you want to dine. It is a little loud where we sat, but maybe the upstairs balcony area is a little bit more romantic if you're thinking date night. -
Review from Jaclyn S.
New York, NY
4/3/2012
Ok let me start by saying I think the food and the atmosphere here is amazing. BUT... and this is a huge but... the experience is NOT.
First, even though you make a reservation days in advance do not expect it to stick. They require that YOU (not them) call before 3pm the day of the reservation (which in my opinion is sort of pointless in making) to confirm the reservation or else the CANCEL your reservation, no questions asked. And don't think about being even 10 minutes late in calling... it will be canceled period.
Second, they only accept American Express or CASH. Yes cash, the thing nobody seems to carry anymore. So if you are expecting to go there with a group of friends and split the meal on credit cards, don't. It makes the process of "paying for the meal" and complete hassle.
Third, the staff is, well eeeehhh. They act as if they had 3 Michelin stars??
SO before you go beware of the headaches that may ensue. -
Review from Oliver N.
New York, NY
4/29/2012
This is the best tapas place I've been to. There are many small dishes to choose from. I love how fast the service is when you get your food. The place gets busy on a Saturday night and can get loud, so I suggest coming here for an early dinner if you want to eat and chat without screaming during the crunch time.
My place recommended me this place and I highly suggest coming here if you want a great tapas place. This is a good place for a romantic date or a group outing. -
Review from John N.
Los Angeles, CA
3/28/2012
Met some friends the other night here. I didn't realize it was a tapas place really until they told me. I couldn't tell by the menu. Here's what we had:
- Seared Scallops - very tasty
- Shrimp and Chorizo Skewers - Amazing!
- Goat Cheese balls - Excellent
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts - Burnt (IMNSHO)
- Mushroom Pizza - Noooooo
We sat in the room in which is through the kitchen, You actually walk through the kitchen to get there, very NYC cool.
Service was good, except for the part about my friend catching the waiter going though her bag thinking we left the bag/bill, but just went to the bathroom!
I'll go again for sure. Even though prices are high and portions are low. -
Review from Kristin M.
Manhattan, NY
3/5/2012
Yikes. Who's reviewing this place? Came about a year ago and (though my memory is foggy) think I enjoyed it. I know we ordered the duck more than once and the waitress brought a glass of wine on the house because she forgot to put the order in toward the end of the meal (expected but appreciated nonetheless).
Fast fwd to February 2012... I actually get nauseous when recalling this meal, but let's take it from top: The three of us arrived on a Saturday night at about 1030 p.m., sans reservation, fully expecting to wait and order a drink or two at the bar. The pretentious hostess told us they were fully booked for the night and that the kitchen would be closing at midnight in a very "don't even bother waiting" tone. I put my name in just in case, and not 5 minutes later another host appeared, ready to usher us to our table. He took us up 2 long flights of stairs to a half-empty dining room with a fireplace. This room was the best part of our evening (other than the company) -- it was quiet, cozy, and we got to make fun of the drunk (read: swaying and on the verge of passing out) cougar at the next table.
Our waiter was nondescript and had nothing in the way of recommendations. We ordered a fairly large quantity of food: the scallops were soggy and small, the crab meat/avocado concoction was pure mayonnaise and very little of anything else, the hummus/eggplant dips were bland (I mean really, how do you even get that wrong?!) and I can't even remember what else we ordered... Other than the absolute worst... Some kind of mushroom ravioli that was grainy in texture, tasteless, and topped with a five-inch layer of foam that reminded us of vomit (when we asked the waiter about that, he said something vague about "presentation" ... a major fail, I would say, when the decorative accent on an already inedible piece of food resembles bile.)
Good god, I am never returning there. It's a shame because my fresh grapefruit martini was delish. (P.S. that was the only drink I ordered, and our bill for three with tip came to about $200). (P.P.S. we capped off the evening at 3 a.m. with an entire bag of baked cheetos). (P.P.P.S. They only accept Amex or cash). -
Review from Billy V.
2/11/2012
Alta is the kinda place you walk in and your greeted by a wonderful Host Staff. You order some wine from a very friendly server, Ahakwah B. Conversation. Order a round of some delicious Tapas. Conversation. Sip some more smooth Sangiovese wine. Conversation. Order a second round of outstanding Tapas. Conversation. Another bottle of this great Italy wine. Conversation. Add a third round of tasty Tapas. Conversation. Finish the 2nd bottle of wine. Conversation. Order outrageous desserts and coffee. Conversation..............
This was my experience last Thursday night with the wife and in-laws for 3 plus hours. Alta is conducive to food, drink and conversation. It is a wonderful restaurant that when you walk in your are welcome into someones home in Spain. I felt the interior of the restaurant was a courtyard in said home with a wraparound balcony. To take the chill out of the air, there was a raging fire in the rear fireplace. The rooms were beautifully decorated in wood with accent pieces here and there.
Montevertine 'Montevertine Rosso' (Sangiovese) 2004
I am a fan of wines from Tuscany and when I see Sangiovese, sold. This is a classic explosive fruity wine with aromas of cherry and raspberry. It has a long, smooth finish and stands up well to rich foods.
The Tapas
Pulled Pork Empanadas sweet & spicy cilantro dipping sauce
Simple dish but very tasty...........
Lamb Meatballs spiced butternut squash foam, toasted sesame seeds and lebne
Lots of flavor. Very memorable.............
Bacon Wrapped Dates & Olives stuffed with almonds
Beautiful combination of texture and flavors...................
Braised Octopus, Carrot & Daikon Salad citrus cumin dressing, cilantro
Very clean dish. Set up the palate for more flavors..............
Bruschetta of Spinach & Mascarpone dried Turkish figs, pine nuts, parmesan & balsamic
Another complex dish in flavors............
Crispy Brussels Sprouts fuji apples, crème fraiche, pistachio nut
Make sure you get a very crispy Brussels sprout. WOW..............
Braised Lamb with Tamarind traditionally prepared cous cous, dates, pistachio, barberry, piri piri
Flavor and texture. Texture and flavor. Very amazing dish..............
Chestnut & Mascarpone Ravioli pancetta, sage brown butter, vin cotto, preserved lemon
Complex flavors but does not over power the ravioli..................
Steak Tartare (nigella seeds, shallots, violet mustard), seared asparagus, Hollandaise
A must try. Clean finish. Well balanced.............
House-Made Grilled Merguez toasted falafel, red wine pudding, lebne goat cheese sauce
Fresh. Very fresh. Lots of flavor. Very moist. Another home run...........
Avocado Relleno with crab meat & shrimp, frisee, and orange segments
Creamy. Tasty. Very light...............
Skirt Steak with Chimichurri, parmesan potato puree, haricot vert & tomato salad
I could have this all night. Perfectly cooked, rare. Home run.............
Pan Roasted Striped Bass spiced carrot puree, salad of snow peas, lemon essence nage
Light with well balance flavors. Very nice..............
The Desserts...
Apple Confit
Very high end dessert. Lots of flavor............
Creme Brulee
A must try. Unique presentation............
Overall, I had an OUTSTANDING meal and experience. The tapas ranged from the simple with varies flavors to complex dishes that challenged ones taste profile. The tapas seem to be expedited to the table when ready by an efficient staff. It was a constant flow of food, wine and conversation. Service was very good and spaced to allow the flow of the evening. When ordering Tapas, you should order in rounds so there is a constant flow. -
Review from Melinda Q.
Hoboken, NJ
3/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
Stars are given based on table service only- the bar service/staff was rude and condescending.
Tapa style, a Must in my opinion: Brussels sprouts, risotto and fried goat cheese were all delicious.
6 Tapa plates was enough food for 2 people. -
Review from Emily J.
Alexandria, VA
4/30/2012
Only reason this place gets 4 out of 5 is they wouldn't split our bill for us. Other than that, service and food was excellent.
Was here in January 2012 for my birthday with a group of friends. Ordered a variety of dishes, highlights being shrimp and chorizo skewers and fried goat cheese with honey. Try the goat cheese, trust me it will change your world. Also ordered a Mint Julep. They don't mess around with their cocktails, be warned.
Overall excellent location, service and food. Would highly recommend. -
Review from Claire F.
1/31/2012 5 Check-ins Here
The food here has always been five star; there is very little that leaves you wanting after multiple courses of the likes of gooey goat cheese fritters in lavender infused honey, Crispy Brussels Sprouts with fuji apples, crème fraiche and pistachio nuts, Chestnut & Mascarpone Ravioli with pancetta, sage brown butter, vin cotto and preserved lemon and Warm Duck Rillette with tangy sour cherry, pickled sunchoke, spiced tuile and purple mustard ... and the list goes on.
It's even great for a group with vegetarians -- the pan-Mediterranean menu is full of meatless options.
The wine list does not disappoint either, with a wide variety of tasty options from $28-$600.
But the service. It's so lamentable. From their awful policy of giving away tables if you don't jump through their hoops of 1. calling during set reservation hours and then 2. YOU must call THEM back on the day of the reservation before 2pm or it's given away.
Checking in is equally painful, as private conversations dominate between the staff, while a line of patrons wait to check in for their hard won tables.
I dined with two 60-somethings and after we were crammed at a tiny table at the top of the hallway that the servers bustle through, we asked for another table. Since it was 6:05pm and the restaurant had barely 15 other people there, the server's silent stare of death was unnecessary. We ended up shuffled through the kitchen to the back dining room. Being so isolated ended up being for the best since the main dining room and "terrace" area get rockin' busy and it's not so easy to hear your conversation, even with the not so parental crowd with whom I usually come here.
Our server was fine. I wouldn't call her friendly or attentive but at least she didn't ask us to leave, like the (I'm assuming) manager did. We'd just paid our bill and were sipping the last drops of our after dinner drinks when he came over to "inform [us] that the next party has arrived for this table".
It was just unnecessary. I'm not going to write here about the size of our bill, because even if it hadn't been sizeable, that kind of behavior is uncalled for. In a restaurant with easily 60 tables, I have to wonder if he shuttled around with a stopwatch set for each table. We were obviously leaving within the next five minutes and to do that just left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Happy birthday dinner to me. Meh.Listed in: Eat here.
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Review from Maeve C.
2/11/2012
From the moment you happen upon Alta's charming front entrance and peer inside to see what looks like a cozy cave, it is enchanting. I entered with my dining companion, and we were led up a staircase, through the kitchen, to the back dining room where we enjoyed dim lighting and pleasant decor. The tapas menu is extensive and a bit overwhelming, but thanks to some other Yelpers I had an idea of which dishes I would be pulling for.
We ordered the shrimp and chorizo skewers, which were delicious and came with a rich avocado mousse, the pulled pork empanadas with a cilantro sauce I wanted to take a bath in, the mussels (thankfully they gave us bread to sop up the rich delicious broth!), the bacon-wrapped dates and olives which tasted just like I remember from my time in Barcelona, and of course the brussels sprouts, whose fame on this site is well-justified. To drink, I got the Floridita, which was a bit disappointing but still pleasant and strong. I would love to go back and try the rest of their menu but it's pretty prohibitively expensive (at least at this point since I have no income), so I guess I'll wait for the next special occasion to suggest it to my parents/date/etc. -
Review from D. A.
Nutley, NJ
5/14/2012
LOVED this restaurant! They have a dairy-free menu for people with allergies. I can never eat brussel sprouts anywhere else, so good here!! We went on a Saturday night and reservations were needed. Definitely recommend to call ahead, it's worth the planning. A little bit hidden, at first we walked past the entrance. Enjoy!
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Review from Kels P.
Manhattan, NY
1/22/2012
Alta... Don't ask, just go.
Everything here is stellar. I've been coming for more than seven years and I have never been disappointed. The warm ambiance makes it a perfect date spot or a good place to catch up with friends. The menu is long, the dishes varied, and one of the many reasons Alta is perfect is that everyone can order as much or as little as they want.
As a rule of thumb, I suggest going for ~2-4 dishes per person if you're going for dinner. The staff is also good about letting you start with a few things and ordering more as you go.
A few of the best dishes IMHO are:
-Fried Brussel Sprouts - Crunchy, warm, and vaguely healthy? I'm sold.
-Bacon Wrapped Dates - So good we ordered a second round
-Pepperonicci pasta - Rich and flavorful.
-Fried Goat Cheese - 4 pcs, served with lavender honey - delish.
-Grilled shrimp and Chorizo skewer - Only 1 skewer, but you won't regret it.
-Pulled pork empanadas - 2 of the best empanadas ever, served with mint sauce
I'd skip over the 'plainer' things here (namely the nuts, Philadelphia Truffle Surprise and the Spanish Olives) in favor of the more innovative things on the menu.
And... don't forget the booze! Their cocktail menu is full of stiff, savory drinks. If you're looking for something fruity or girly, reach for the sangria (red or white - and they are STRONG in a good way!). There's also a great selection of Riojas.
Know before you go:
-Smaller groups are better - it's a restaurant inside a townhouse
-Try to sit on the first or second floor. There is a third floor that is equally pretty but after 2 glasses of Sangria you will not want to walk down all those stairs :)
-If you make a reservation, they will call you the day of to confirm. They sound pretty strict about making sure you pick up or re-confirm.
-Cash or AMEX only!Listed in: 3T: The Tastiest Tapas
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Review from Laura P.
Great ambiance and perfect date spot. Te space and decor is very cozy and rustic. Two levels is ample room for two sweaters and groups. I appreciate the separation of space and availability of various seating which is hard to find in NYC.
My on general comment is that to my taste buds, Alta's food seem to be on the richer in cheese and butter / sweeter side vs. boqueria. If you are craving for more spice and various flavors I would recommend boqueria.
Alta does have a lot more selection of tapas over boqueria and at reasonable prices, the portions are a lot smaller in some instances. Comparing the similar dishes like meatballs, shishito peppers and bacon wrapped dates, they are a lot fewer quantities or smaller in size. I was particularly surprised that the peppers were sweet and full of cheese... bacon wrapped dates came with two small dates and three bacon wrapped olives? that's not really what I was looking for. Deviled eggs were decent, but i would hope they are!
The one dish that saved our evening was the mussels. There were plenty for the two of us and the sauce was just right (not sweet or cheesy). We really enjoyed that dish.
I would highly recommend this place for big groups or people who are maybe trying tapas for the first time and would like a broader menu. Also for people who likes sweeter/cheesier dishes. The speed of dishes are super fast, you can finish a meal from beginning to end in 25 minutes, probably before you finish your first drink so pace your ordering. In my mind... i like boqueria way better in terms of taste. -
Review from Cynthia M.
Long Island City, NY
3/19/2012
Cute spot in the village for tapas and wine. I went with a few girlfriends and we got a great spot all the way in the back. We tried a ton of items and though the portions are small, I don't think we had a bad bite. Everything was flavorful and though we ate too many items to list, I don't think you can go wrong with much on the menu. Service was friendly and though it was a pricey meal, I think it is worth a visit. Two bottles of wine and about 15 or so tapas later, we were all happy campers, full and satisfied after a lovely night.
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Review from Jia Z.
Manhattan, NY
2/19/2012 1 photo
I had been wanting to try this place forever and finally got my chance today. After an afternoon of fun shopping, my friend and I decided to head somewhere to eat. I was in the mood for some tapas and so suggested Alta. It happened to be my his favorite Tapas place. Awesome!
We headed there at about 7 and it wasn't that crowded and we got seated immediately. I like the ambience, although maybe a little bit too dim for my taste but this would definitely make a cute date place!
We shared 4 smallers plates and 2 heavier dishes, including fried goat cheese, lamb sausages, oysters, and seafood paella among others. My favorites were the goat cheese with honey and the paella. Yum! The rest were good but not too memorable. We both ordered something that came with gelato for dessert. They are in small portion but good. Not amazingly good, just good. I definitely have had better desserts elsewhere.
Overall, I think Alta deserves a 4 star for the food and ambience. I am not totally in love with it, but it is pretty good.
P.S. this place doesn't accept VISA! cash and American Express only! -
Review from Charlotte P.
Manhattan, NY
3/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
I heard so much good hype about this place from so many people. I even read the menu several times before going and was so excited to try so many of the dishes. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed. Everything sounded way better on the menu than it actually tasted. Execution is lacking.
We arrived on time for a 9:30 reservation and didn't sit until 10:15 or so. This would have been fine had we been able to enjoy our drinks at the bar. However, it was beyond crowded. I literally had to fight a b*#%& to even get to the host to ask when we would be seated. I'm used to crowded bars in New York, but the mosh pit bar scene was not doing it for me.
When we finally sat we sat at a nice candle lit table in the back. This was the only good part of the night. Our waiter was apathetic and brought things so sporadically. The sangria was only OK and the other cocktails we tried were not much better. The last straw was that the restaurant only took Amex. Do not listen to the hype and don't go to this overcrowded, underwhelming, average tapas place.
