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Boqueria
Categories: Restaurants Spanish Restaurants Tapas Bars Spanish, Tapas Bars [Edit]
53 W 19th St(between 5th Ave & Avenue Of The Americas)
New York, NY 10011
Neighbourhood: Flatiron
(212) 255-4160
- Nearest Transit:
-
23 St (F, M)
14 St (F, M)
18 St (1, 2)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 12 pm - 12 am
Fri-Sat 12 pm - 2 am
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Trendy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
438 reviews for Boqueria
Review Highlights
-
"My personal favorite being the bacon wrapped dates." In 60 reviews -
"Pan con tomate so simple and so delicious." In 30 reviews -
"The bocata came with delicious patatas bravas." In 68 reviews
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438 reviews in English
-
Review from Eva W.
5/23/2012
I'm a big fan of tapas. Smaller sizes and more variety? Hell yeah!
Walked in on a weekday night around 8, had about a 30 min wait. I really like how they do the waitlist with an iPad/texts. Definitely makes things easier for the customers. Went next door to flatiron lounge to pass the time.
We sat in the back at the high tables, which were a bit too close together. The place is pretty loud.
Quail egg on toast was good, but I found it rather simplistic and was not blown away by the chorizo. The lamb skewers were delicious and not overcooked! There were way more shishito peppers than I expected, but they were good, though not as blistered as I hoped they would be. The squid was good. Had a scallop special which was quite good as well.
However, I must say - the red wine sangria tasted pretty watery to me. And the meat hanging in the window looks molded =/
Will most likely return, but on the fence about whether it's good enough to recommend. -
Review from Eva G.
5/24/2012
Had a comfy corner booth in this small tapas place, and to go with a $34 pitcher of sangria, we had:
Croquettes: 3 of creamed mushroom and 3 of creamed serrano ham.
Dates wrapped in bacon; while it may be too much for those who can't take in large doses of sugar or fat, the sweetness in the bacon contrasts well with the honeyed dates.
Patatas bravas: the fries were on the salty side, but if you alternate bites with chugs of sangria, you'll always be looking forward to the next wedge.
Asparagus: while the 6 large sprigs were nicely roasted, why should they cost $2 each?
Suckling pig (by waiter's recommendation, a $25 dish): we passed by the display of a roasted suckling pig in a display by the entrance; was this the same carcass our meat was carved from? Eh, the vegetables stuffed inside tasted good. -
Review from Stephanie G.
Manhattan, NY
5/21/2012
Albeit a little pricey, Boqueria does a great job of reinventing it's tapas dishes. Their specials of the day are generally fantastic. If you ever see anything Oxtail-related, definitely get it. Their cheese platters are also great. Try the Aged Manchego and make sure to have it with the Membrillo spread. The high top tables are very "Spain" and often times you sit at the communal tables.
Three words: BLOOD ORANGE SANGRIA -
Review from merisa t.
5/13/2012
To everyone else waxing poetic about the deliciousness of Boqueria:
I concur.
It's not just good, it's gooooood.
At first we ordered a bunch of tapas (like the wicked Txipirones, $13, and some dish with poached artichoke that was fantastic), but then our bar neighbors enlightened us to the meat and cheese board. Order up some Pan con Tomate ($5, essentially garlicky grilled bread with tomato), they told us, and then pair it with manchego and sobrasada (or what have you), and they'll add in some pickled, cured, sweet things as accompaniment. It's a delightful Sunday dinner, particularly with a couple glasses of Tempranillo.
(Just checked out their lunch menu - they have a sandwich with anchovies, goat cheese, apple, and grilled bread. Hell YEAH) -
Review from Jan Y.
Long Island City, NY
5/11/2012
Oh Boqueria, how I love the Jamon hanging at your front window, a cute Spanish boy turning the wheel and churning out thin slices of love all over your front door... Too bad after taking a few steps in it was cramped as hell... The front of the restaurant is a first come first serve basis, but it sucked because when you walk towards one end of the bar someone else that came in after you would jump in a seat before you could....I spent an hour waiting for a table in the back and at the same time trying to get a table in the front area, whichever came first... not so fun. I'm not so into the communal table thing but that's what it is in the dining area so I personally prefer the bar.
Good food, loved the cheese and meats. Lamb skewers and wild mushrooms very good. Croquette order was large esp for tapa's 6 pcs for $12, between 2 girls it's def hard to order that and other tapas to try, it would have been nice if they offered 3pcs for $6. The flat bread was decent but the sunny side up quail egg on top made me a little sick, not their fault, probably just not my thing. All in all good experience will come back to try more on the menu. -
Review from Jess B.
5/5/2012
Out of my Party of Three who went to Boqueria for my friend's 23rd birthday, I was the only person who ended up liking it. I truly don't see what they had against it.
I told both of them going in that there'd probably be a wait on a Saturday night at 7:30pm (yeah, it was an hour). I told them that it'd be crowded (for me and my two linebacker-built friends, it was bound to be cramped). Still, they wanted to try Spanish tapas for the first time. So, we went.
In order of what we ordered, here's my ranking of what I liked best-to-worst:
1. Patatas Bravas - if you want to get addicted to any food in the world, pick Boqueria's take on potatoes.
2. Pintxos Morunos - now THATS how you cook some bitchin' lamb.
3. Bunuelos De Bacalao - perfectly salted cod; I just wish there were more!
4. Pan Con Tomate - simple and clean, this was a good way to get some carbs in so we didn't overeat during dinner.
5. Gambas Al Ajillo - for the three of us, being served five pieces of shrimp was a bit of a waste of money. Still good, but a throwaway dish.
All of that, along with sangria, cost about $150 altogether. Guess who got left with the hefty bill with nobody paying me back? MOI. Next time I go to dinner with these folks, I'm leaving my wallet at home. -
Review from Roong S.
Brooklyn, NY
5/21/2012
Sangria !!! never be disappointed i always ordered Seafood paella and Gambas's must try
-
Review from Lisa C.
Brooklyn, NY
5/20/2012
Agree with others that the restaurant looks incredible from outside and then you walk in, and boom - major decor issues and seating problems.
The food isn't traditional Spanish food, but it's a very good attempt. We had several taps from the before 5pm menu - lamb meatballs were good, mushrooms pretty good, and 2 type of croquets that were average at best. One dish of croquets was mashed potato and meat - which is more like Shepard's pie in a ball than a Spanish dish. The other croquets were ham and mushroom. The mushroom tasted like canned mushroom soup in my opinion. For desert we had churrios which were surprisingly tasty. The sangria was nice but it was $11 a glass for "specialty sangria". Overpriced in my opinion. A lunch consisting of 2 drinks, 4 tapas dishes and 1 desert came to $95 including a 20% tip. Worth no more than $70. Not sure if we'll ever go back. Would much prefer a Spanish atmosphere that goes beyond the front door/window. -
Review from Jay K.
4/18/2012
Boqueria draws the perfect line by being moderately priced but still maintaining the delicious quality of food.
They also have a great selection of cava which pleases me very much.
Needless to say the sangria there is delicious as well. I think I got a ginger mango sangria the last time and it was wonderful! Not too sweet, but yummy.
I'll stop sounding like an alcoholic now and move onto the food.
The food was great. I really enjoyed that you could pick different cheeses and dried meats to sample. It was a perfect way to cleanse our palettes before moving onto the fantastic little plates of food. And may I emphasize the word "little." Obviously it is tapas, so it is a tasting, but I think between two people, 5-6 dishes would suffice. But then again, I do have quite a rather large tummy..sooo...
:) But four stars for you Boqueria.. As yelp would put it, "YAY! I'm a fan" -
Review from Nomad M.
New York, NY
4/11/2012
Boqueria is one my favorite tapas place in the city. I have been here couple times, date, meeting friends or just by myself. And I keep coming back!
I came here around 7pm on a Tuesday night meeting my friend for pre party dinner and drinks. Scored a table facing the bar immediately. Great! But half hour later, the restaurant were completely full not even a seat available at the bar.
Service: one of the main reason I keep coming back here is because of the service - attentive and friendly. Even during the peak hours, they will never rush you.
Food: we had the soft shell crab, the croquet, wild mushrooms, lambs all are very tasty! Especially the softshell crab which is now in season! A must order!
Drinks: we have 4 sangrias, mango, red and rose. I love the red ones the most. not to mention they are free with foursquare check-in!
Boqueria is a gem in the hood. I will definitely come back for more tapas and good Spanish music! -
Review from Barb B.
4/12/2012
I came to Boqueria for lunch with a few coworkers who can really throw down as far as eating goes. I am always up for a challenge but they almost destroyed me and sent me into a food coma. How did I eat that much at a tapas joint, you may ask? Well, I blame the croquettes - a very nice sized portion of meat and potatoes, somehow made into a ball, and fried into a magical state. Oh they were good. We also had the bacon-wrapped dates, which were a-okay although I don't think they needed cheese, and the shrimp, which were cooked very nicely with a good amount of garlic. Then, as if we hadn't done enough damage, I had a salad made with shaved fennel, citrus fruit, and shrimp. It was nice and light after the very NOT light tapas I had prior, and I really enjoyed it. The flavors were clean and it was just such an interesting idea to me to make a salad of fennel.
It was very quiet at lunchtime so the service was extremely prompt. And our server was incredibly nice. I do think the setup is weird with the high tables, I mean I know I'm short but my feet didn't reach anything so I was left feeling like a little kid with my legs not knowing where to go! But other than that weirdness I am definitely a Boqueria fan and I would eagerly come back. One of my favorite lunch spots in the area so far. -
Review from G W.
Manhattan, NY
5/21/2012
Never go there with a reservation. We had a party of seven and we made a reservation for 730p on a Monday night. We were there for the best Iberian ham. We received an emails that sounded like a legal contract that we had to agree to the Chef's menu for parties over six.
First thing, we got there 15 minutes ahead of time and we're given the "VIP table" next to the toilets, with a leaking pipe management device secured by duct tapes on the wall. Next, 45 minutes after my complaint, at a moment when we were all settled and getting the buzz from the bottles of wine we ordered, they offered us a table to move to, in the middle of whatever we were eating. I entertained their humor and declined the interruption.
The prix fix started with series of stuffers like quail eggs on toasts, poached eggs on toasts, bread slices, fritters filled with mayonnaise and Campbell's cream of mushroom soup, grilled scallions with paste, etc... , --- cheap stuff that had no reason to be there other than stuffing you up. The last courses from the prix fix menu were hanger steak, bass, and a greasy piellea. I am glad that we ordered an additional Iberian ham as a starter on top and above of the prix fix menu.
It appears, obviously, that the joint caters more to walk-ins and penalize the reservation makers. For $100 per person, we could have gone somewhere else and would have enjoyed a much better experience.
I do not recommend this place. -
Review from Lily P.
I like this Tapas bar...I saw the soho one first (due to communication issue meeting up with my friends). The red and rose sangria were really good!!! You get a free one with foursquare checkin or yelp checkin...i forget which one it was. We got a cheese and cold cut platter, fried potatoes, chicken croquettes, flat bread (not that great),.....basically I'd go back and eat croquettes all day from here if I could.
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Review from Debra E.
Ended up here last Friday, it was love at first taste. I was seated quickly because it was after 10:30.
What was ordered: White wine sangria, quail eggs and chorizo, bacon wrapped dates and the lamb meatballs. Everything was delectable, finger-licking good. The quail eggs were good and loved the kick in the chorizo. The bacon wrapped dates who know that would so good between salty+ sweet= delicious!! The lamb meatballs I found to be heavy but the sauce was out of this world, asked the waiter for two rounds of bread, the sauce was lighter and sweet which balanced the heaviness of the meatball. The sangria was typical. Each selection was between ($7-$14)
Waitstaff: service was moderate but accommodating.
Absolutely will come here again.
Only gripe was the selection was a little smaller than I expected. -
Review from Cat N.
4/20/2012
Very fun environment and meal with friends. I can't remember exactly which tapas dishes we ordered, but they were all super savory and satisfying. Get anything with aioli. The paella was pretty greasy, but generous with the seafood. Our server was very helpful with the wine, and attentive without hovering. I was worried that the bill would be outrageous considering the quality of the food and trendiness of the place, but it was reasonable.
-
Review from erin M.
Irvine, CA
3/22/2012
My husband and I went here on a Friday night without a reservation. It was packed, but amazingly- we only waited for 10 minutes... I am not sure how this happened since I overheard the host say 45 min to someone else... ANYWAYS- def. a great scene- young, professionals, dates, groups for b-days, and awkward first date which we were lucky enough to be seated next to (LOVE people watching :))
Anyways we ate Tapas and dessert- everything we had was excellent. The portions are on the smaller side but it's tapas, what do you expect?
They have a great menu, in my opinion- something for everyone. Here are a few things my husband and I ordered:
Bombas de la Barceloneta-Two beef and potato croquettes,
"salsa brava," garlic allioli
Dátiles con Beicon-Dates stuffed with almonds and Valdeón,
wrapped in bacon
Salteado de Seta-Sautéed wild mushrooms, Manchego cheese
Gambas al Ajillo-Shrimp, garlic and Guindilla pepper in olive oil
and for dessert, one of my faves: Churros..Traditional fried dough, thick hot chocolate
They were all very different, and I would reco each one!
Three things that also looked amazing (spotted on the awkward first date next to us) were the:
1.Sangria
2. Meat & Cheeses
3. Paella de Mariscos
I would re-visit this resti again and definitely reco it to friend or group. -
Review from Stephanie R.
Manhattan, NY
3/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
Hm I would say I had higher expectations of this place based on the Yelp reviews, but maybe my experience wasn't better because I didn't try these bacon dates!
I think overall the food was good, but I was not a huge fan of the flavor combinations. We tried a special with crab and avocado but it was drenched in this mustard sauce that took away from the dish, rather than enhance it. Furthermore, I was a bit confused by the presentation of the queso, which was a minuscule decorative spread on a wood platter with some toasts and hard cheese, olives, and dried fruits on the side. The spinach with the raisins, pine nuts, and kidney beans was probably my favorite (and I plan to try to make it at home!) but it had a bit too much citrus. The traditional egg and potato omelet was quite good - no complaints there. I also had a nice glass of white wine recommended by my waitress that fit the criteria I described, which I liked.
I appreciated the high chairs and tables with the low lighting, but it is a pretty crammed space. I had the unfortunate position of being next to a table with a toddler. First off, this isn't the kind of place for kids. It is the kind of place you come with your sophisticated friends. BUT if you are going to bring kids (which is fine!) just make sure your kid is not swapping at my food and impinging upon my personal space, which is what happened at this dinner. I am not sure why the family did not put the child between them in the booth but instead left her to dangle and lean my way, spilling things near my handbag as she went. Not pleasant.
Luckily my friend and I arrived around 6:45 and did not have to wait long, but by the time we left at 8:30, there was a line out the door! -
Review from kristin g.
Brooklyn, NY
5/18/2012
One day, perhaps I will accept the fact that the Spanish pintxos/tapas experience of delicious food and 40 cent glasses of wine will never be recreated, especially in NYC. Feeling nostalgic for my days in the Basque Country, I came in here alone and sat at the bar. I had a glass of txocoli, which for approximately 3 oz was exorbitantly pricey at $13!! I then had the tortilla espanola, which was yummy but I had to ask for bread. Who eats tortilla espanola without bread?? All in all, this was a very busy and hit spot but expect to overpay. Oh, and shame on them for some of the menu items- since when is flatbread, aka pizza, a pintxo???
-
Review from Juliana S.
Edison, NJ
4/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
The food was here was delicious (except for the creme brulee, it was pretty burnt). I had the pan con tomate, croquetas cremosas, and the baby squid was the best thing there, it was cooked perfectly and the salad that came with was yummy! I also had some items on their menu but they were specials, which were pretty good.
The service was great and the atmosphere was nice as well. -
Review from Boris C.
San Francisco, CA
3/26/2012
Yum!
Pimientos de Padrón - fiesta in your mouth
Gambas al Ajillo - hard to go wrong
Pintxos Morunos - hearty
Bombas de la Barceloneta - meat and potatoes
Dátiles con Beicon - yin and yang
Churros con Chocolate - ole -
Review from Christine P.
New York, NY
4/28/2012
Came to Boqueria for a lunch meeting recently and plan to return for dinner. The food was very good. Everything we tried was delicious and the service was great. Although this is a tapas joint, the dishes were a decent size. There were just 2 of us and we ordered 4 dishes and had much too much food for lunch, and I think it would have even been too much for dinner as well. So good prices for a lot of food! I will be back.
-
Review from Beee K.
Brooklyn, NY
3/28/2012
I liked my food - beets salad, cafe con leche, churros con chocolate -, and I liked the service, but not so impressed.
Cafe con leche could be a little stronger and I don't love the style of churros they serve here.
I miss having churros in Madrid. -
Review from Mike B.
New York, NY
4/23/2012
I have avoided this place for so long because I usually think of tapas as reasons to charge high prices for small portions. So, wow! This is the first tapas place in New York I've ever been to where I can really say you get your money's worth. (Like an $8 dish IS actually about 1/3 the size of a full dinner-size portion, by and large...) I was underwhelmed by their signature bacon-wrapped dates, but absolutely everything else was amazing...particularly a really nice oily, semi-warm spanish mackerel. Wines by the glass were plentiful, reasonably prices, and tasty. And the wait staff was excellent (and with so many small plates to deal with have a much harder job than in a 'typical' restaurant...but they hold it together...with aplomb!)
-
Review from Lee G.
2/7/2012
Gypsy Kings...
Gypsy Kings...
Gypsy Kings...
Tapas restaurant but no Gypsy Kings just some tired music from the 80s which came on a free CD....................what's wrong with these poeple.
Food and service were great. Wine was SpanishListed in: Best Restaurant, Best Brunch
-
Review from Thomas M.
Norwalk, CT
4/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
Great sangria and artsinal meat and cheese selection, just stopped in for a snack. Some of the best chorizo i have had in awhile and the Spanish olives were delish. Everything on the menu sounded amazing so will definitely return.
-
Review from Yasmin E.
2/15/2012
Decent tapas. Not a huge menu like Alta's. Rather expensive if you're going out to share with a large group (my recommendation if you're a bit tight on the cash...keep tab of what you're ordering and don't share...otherwise you end up paying a pretty penny). The venue was small and VERY crowded...not my style. Booths and tables scattered around the restaurant. The decor was just, par. Definitely better for a group dinner (with friends) than an intimate dinner for 2. Waiters were nice, hostess sucked (don't let Blondie's bad manners get in the way of enjoying your meal).
Bon Apetite! -
Review from Darcy M.
Manhattan, NY
5/6/2012
I am deeply in love with Boqueria.
Went to brunch today with my foodie best friend. We decided to not order of the brunch menu and instead got sides and tapas. We started with a pitcher of rose sangria. It tasted delicious and extra alcoholic--my friend thought it might have tequila in it. We were disappointed to find that the Mel i Mato, fresh ricotta with berries and honey was not available; it sounds amazing.
The best part about tapas is that as soon as you're done with one thing, the next is ready. We got the tortilla first, which is a room temperature egg and potato frittata- type thing. It came with bread and aioli. The tortilla was good on its own, but we had to ask for another bowl of aioli, because it really made the meal.
The patatas bravas have a spicy tomato sauce at the bottom and more aioli on top. The sauce was a little too spicy for me, but adding additional aioli helped.
I was surprised by how much I liked the cojunodos; quail eggs and chorizo on toast. I don't usually like runny yolks, and I didn't eat the chorizo (gave it to my friend) but the lingering spiciness really made it better.
The spinach thing had a delicious sauce with it and the garbanzos were perfect to make it seem a little more filling.
The mushrooms were magical. It included several different types of mushrooms that would've been delicious on their own, but the manchego made it that much better. I could've actually done with more cheese on that one.
And I haven't even gotten to dessert! We had the aged machego, the warm chocolate torte, and the "spanish toast". The machego was excellent cheese, and $5 a plate made us want to come back and try more cheese next time. The warm chocolate torte was divine; it had a liquidy center that got all over the (praline?) ice cream and berries served with it. But the spanish toast was truly amazing. My friend and I joked that maybe it was just like french toast, but the spanish had claimed it for themselves. But no. It was similar to french toast, but it was as if they had brulee'd the top. So each bit was like cracking into the top of a creme brulee only to discover warm, moist, and delicious bread underneath. The yogurt ice cream went with it perfectly.
On top of excellent food, we had a great waiter who was super attentive and very funny. We joked about day drinking with him and he made sure to fill our sangria and waters from the pitchers on the table.
I cannot wait to go back. This place is SPECTACULAR. -
Review from nuch n.
Elmhurst, NY
4/8/2012
service and vibe: 4 stars
food: 31/2 star
price: pricey for what u get. i wouldn't go there starving.
I would say it's more like 3 1/2 stars
Note: we didn't order any meat dishes because either someone can't eat pork or someone can't eat lamb. we did order the shrimp/garlic dish which was ok (needed a bit more garlic). the sauteed spinach with dried fruit was really food ( stars). codfish dish (3 stars, a bit too salty but flavorful). cheeses (what's not to like). churro/hot choco..... a bit too heavy for me. i do like it's not too sweet but it was way too heavy in terms of dough/oil. -
Review from Liz C.
1/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
I've only been to the cramped Flatiron outpost - but enough times to confirm that that it's a very solid low-key meetup for a casual bite and drink. This frantic tapas bar is a little too hustle-and-bustle for a truly intimate conversation (say, a date), but stool-perching while waiting for $6-$15 ("good") tapas and wine to arrive is apropos activity for a palsy power dinner.
The menu is consistently good (so sample a breadth) - but I always find myself including the albondigas (lamb-meatballs, laced with sheep's milk cheese) in my order. -
Review from Brittany M.
Brooklyn, NY
3/5/2012
I was so bummed I heard great things about this place but no bueno! OK the dates wrapped bacon were phenomenal, I have to say. But I went over my lunch break and the croquetas cremosas looked so good (on paper anyway) I thought it was a joke when they came out. They were fried and round and tasted like cream of mushroom soup was encased in the fried ball. The other one tasted like it was filled with a Campbell's soup as well! the Shishito peppers were decent, rather tasteless though. We got one of the sandwiches on the menu, it wad DRENCHED in balsamic and the meat was dry.
Wasn't very pleasant :( -
Review from Jenny L.
2/13/2012
Sangria was okay, food was delicious, and the service was pleasant.
We had the Pimientos de Padrón, Gambas al Ajillo, Albóndigas, Torrija y Helado, and this Paella-type dish with quail that was a special for the night. Everything was tasty, I have a weakness for shishito peppers, the shrimp could've been bigger but the garlic and guindilla pepper seasoning was addictive - can't help but dip the bread in the olive oil. Lamb meatballs were salty and meaty, nicely balanced with the mild sheep's milk cheese. Dessert was good, we decided to choose something that isn't commonly recreated in NYC, you can find churros, flan, and chocolate torte anywhere.
The two of us sat at our table for five hours on a random afternoon and never felt like we were being rushed because they wanted to turn the table even though the restaurant was getting full. Our water glasses were constantly being refilled. -
Review from Steve L.
New York, NY
2/15/2012
I had lunch there today and thought it was worth recommending. The Bistec sandwich was pretty good. Hangar steak is often chewy - theirs was not (big plus).
Also enjoyed the salad and pappa bravas. If you're looking for something different than the usual fare I'd highly recommend. -
Review from Victoria K.
Cranston, RI
1/23/2012 8 photos
Fell in love upon arrival. Legs of Serrano ham hang in the window. Is there a more beautiful window treatment in this world?
Came here for brunch with a friend. Our mutual love of cheeses and charcuterie led to our selection of the Quesos y Embutidos platter available during brunch, which consisted of three cheeses (rosemary manchego, tetilla, and garrotxa), three meats (chorizo, salchichón, and Serrano ham over pan con tomate), quince paste, a selection of olives, golden raisins, and breads. It was an incredible deal considering they usually offer the meats and cheeses a la carte, which costs significantly more.
We also couldn't resist the Tortilla Española, which is simply a classic. This version was creamy and simple, the perfect texture and flavor. It was accompanied with a lovely garlic alioli. When combined with the tortilla, it was happiness and joy. We loved this dish. I could have easily had seconds.
Finally, we indulged in an adorable presentation of fried quail eggs over chorizo on toast. They call it Cojonudo, but I call it delicious! It's also incredibly photogenic. Although the portion seemed small, there were only two of us, so it worked out in the end :)
Tapas can easily evolve into a very expensive meal depending on how many plates you choose to order, but with some restraint, and a languid meal where we honestly savored every bite of food, we didn't feel the bill creep up on us. Absolutely loved it here and can't wait to return! -
Review from Min K.
Manhattan, NY
2/18/2012
Had a bday party here.
The food ordered:
- Boqueria Hamburger (just your everyday burger. Don't order it)
- Salteado de Setas (mushrooms and cheese)
- Pintxos Morunos (this was lamb, right?) I liked this one the best.
- Gambas al Ajillo (shrimp)
- Croquetas Cremosas (three mushroom, three ham). Also good.
- Buñuelos de Bacalao (that's sexy for cod)
Portions were small, but they're tapas so what do you expect?
Pretty busy but the waitress was really accommodating to our party.
Not bad. -
Review from Tiffany Y.
New York, NY
1/1/2012
This was my first time trying a tapas and wine place in the city and I was not disappointed. They only take reservations for at least 6 people, and luckily my party was 7-8, so I called and made a day-of reservation for Thursday at 9:30pm with Ron for the chef's menu ($40 a person for tapas), described on the site as "a selection of our most popular tapas as well as daily market specials and is composed by the Chef." (Ron was super nice.)
I can't remember how long we waited when we got there (I did call and tell them my party would be a little late, so they reshuffled a few of the tables), but my friends and I waited by the bar where the bartender gave everyone a complimentary glass of champagne (it was a few days before New Year's). I want to say we waited maybe an hour (but it didn't feel like it because everyone was late, haha). The place is fairly small and they seated us in a little booth in the back, which was nice.
The food definitely did not disappoint, and the restaurant was really accommodating when two of our friends had already eaten dinner and we only had 5 people on the chef's menu.
My friends then went to town on the sangria ($34 a pitcher). We tried the red wine, white wine, and rose sangria... the red wine sangria was definitely the best and one pitcher fills 6 glasses. The rose sangria wasn't for me...
When it was time to pay (they automatically added gratuity), the waitress took our 7 credit cards and split it how we suggested (we didn't want the 2 to have to pay for tapas when they didn't eat). It was a breeze! -
Review from Emma Y.
Los Angeles, CA
4/11/2012
Been to both locations and both are great! Almost like being in Spain. It's rare for me to want to go to restaurants multiple times, but I could eat here every week.
Awesome:
Jamon Serrano
Manchego viejo
Pan con tomate
Dátiles con bacon
Lamb on bread (barely tastes like lamb)
Good:
Leek
Papas bravas
Squid ink paella (pretty salty)
Bad:
Setas (too vinegary)
Gambas al ajillo (Way to salty. But the garlic oil afterward is amazing to dip bread in)
Go! And make reservations! This place is packed all night on Tuesdays. -
Review from Jennifer C.
New York, NY
1/25/2012
I hate BBQ restaurants. The whole ordeal of being in a restaurant smothered in oil with your hands all greased up in the sauce. Not my thing. So when I walked over with my friend for dinner to Hill's Country.. I turned around and walked away.
I decided upon Boqueria since it was a couple of blocks from Hill's Country.
I love tapas :)
We arrived here around 7pm on a Thursday and of course it was packed. My friend was a little overwhelmed by how packed it was.. we just had to stand around in front of the hostess since there really wasn't much of a bar.
Fortunately a table opened up within 15 minutes and we got seated quickly. We ordered a pitcher of sangria immediately.
My friend is not the big adventurous-try-out-new-foods type of person. I had to persuade him to get the quail eggs and chorizo.. but he didn't regret it one bit one bite into the toast. You HAVE to get the quail eggs.. it's a MUST at this restaurant.
We also got the crispy potatoes w/ aioli, lamb meatballs and a bunch of meats and cheeses. The meatballs were perfection. Nice warm, soft, oily..
I want to go back and try their paella.. after I try out Tiapol.. which I striked out 3 times because of the wait :( sad -
Review from Diane L.
1/17/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I have been to Boqueria at least twice at this point.. and while I love the environment (cozy yet chic, perfect for a date or the start to a night out with a friend), it honestly is overpriced. Tapas are generally $10+ for a small dish, with only the paella possibly worth its price.. and the wines are $13-15 in general. You end up spending at least $70 to be somewhat near full, but not necessarily fully satisfied.
I love tapas, but if I were to choose, Boqueria would not be #1. -
Review from Diana W.
----------DINNER ONLY------
LOVE this place! A friend who was basically playing foodie tour guide took a group of us here to celebrate the awesomeness of food. Ambiance is loud but it's definitely good for groups. Normally, I'd go into the details of what we ordered but since I don't really remember each and every dish, I'll just say the highlights
Bacon-wrapped Dates: The name says it all. How can you NOT love this?
Pimiento Padrones (roasted green peppers) - My FAVORITE! The salty flavor took this dish over the top. I'm not a fan of spicy but most of these weren't. Although...I'd occasionally get a spicy one that'd totally kick my ass
Seafood Paella - A big entree that is great to finish the meal if you feel like you're still starving from all the small portions you had to share with your fatty friends.
Overall,decent price for pretty awesome quality tapas. Delicious, delicious. I can't wait to come back to NYC to try more tapas. -
Review from Megan V.
1/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
To enjoy their amazing food at a more reasonable price, go for lunch. It comes with sandwich, patatas bravas and a little salad for $9/$10.
It gets crowded fast at night so be prepared to wait. The wine is excellent. In terms of food, I recommend: dates wrapped in bacon, Caña de Cabra cheese, seared lamb and the flat bread with quail egg (can't remember the name).
