Spain for a day:Sangria and Tapas in NYC

Oh, just one more Tapas....

The first time I visited Las Ramblas, I had a full meal, ordered a margarita and paid the tab, less than enthused….until I got the check and realized I hadn’t even been at Las Ramblas, I had eaten an entire meal next door at The Mexican Grille.

Let’s just say Las Ramblas needs to work on their signage. So when I DID find Las Ramblas after I paid my bill at what I THOUGHT was Las Ramblas, I sat at the bar just to have a drink and check out the scene.
I chatted with the bartender who was especially friendly and nice, which made me feel slightly obligated to order just one tapas….as my stomach was already protruding.

He brought over the menu and after people watching and seeing the deliciousness abounding, what happened? Oh. I orderd: Setas al jerez con almendras (which were basically sauteed mushrooms, AMAZING) and patatas bravas, washed down with the best white sangria- EVER.
The atmosphere was amazing and the people were chatty and wonderful, offering me bites of their food when I couldn’t make up my mind…I declined however, cause….the offer was a little too friendly.

Sangria Happy Hours are my favorite.

Being that I AM a writer, Happy Hour food and drink specials are critically important to me, especially considering how much I actually enjoy eating/drinking, which is a lot.

Sangria is incredible, however the prices for a glass of sangria usually aren’t. $5 dollar sangria from 5-8 at the bar with half-price tapas (the hummus is my fav, even though it’s confused and doesn’t fit the menu.)

The best part is that the restaurant is relatively quiet (except for the time I broke a glass, and it went FLYING across the room, glass shards everywhere), unlike most tapas bars…I bring a book and watch people walk down Greenwich Ave.

If you don’t make it in time for  the Happy Hour,  try this:
MATADOR SANGRIA ROYAL Carafe, our
most decadent sangria, rioja wine, cardenal mendoza, spanish brandy, grand
marnier, cointreau, and fresh fruit.
One of those suckers should knock you off your chair, possibly literally.

Tapas are sometimes better alone.

The things that’s great about a tapas restaurant is you can usually please just about everybody.

If you’re not a fan of Sauteed Frog Legs ( yes, this is on the menu) then you can order Ricotta Parmesan Gnocci, which I highly recommend. You can please everyone unless you have a picky, uncreative friend…like the one I brought with me to Alta, who threatened to leave and go to McDonald’s if I ordered Chorizo Wrapped Gulf Shrimp….

So the second time I went back, I brought as much cash as possible (cash only) and was ready to blow it all. And I did…and it was worth it damnit.

Moroccan Spiced Cashews, Bacon Wrapped Dates and Olives (anything wrapped in bacon gets an A+ in my book) Avacado Rellenos and sangria of course.
Small plates mean you’re allowed to eat more, leave the dinner party at home and order all the “small plates” you’d like.

Band guys dig me.

Ok. The first time I ended up at Oliva, I was standing outside waiting for a friend to visit the bar next door…my friend was late and I naturally started to feel a little lame standing on a street corner wearing my “going out clothes.”

The entire time I waited, the guy playing Spanish guitar inside was fixated on me through the window….(hi, creepy) eventually after his set, he ventured outside and ended up not being as creepy as I thought- instead I hopped in, ordered a glass of red sangria and enjoyed the live music. Which was LOUD. and LIVELY.

Though the space was small people stood up and danced the night away, old women, young women, greasy dudes, hot dudes, everyone was hip swiveling together and dancing around tables sure to not knock anyone’s drink over, impressive really.

Instead of going to the other bar, my friend and I stayed the whole night and did a little dancing ourselves.

Make Your Own Sangria

2 bottles red Spanish table wine
1 cup brandy
1/2
cup triple sec
1 cup orange
juice
1 cup pomegranate juice
1/2 cup simple syrup,
or more to taste (equal parts sugar and water, heated until sugar dissolves,
cooled)
Orange slices
Apple slices
Blackberries
Pomegranate
seeds
 Mix all ingredients together and let stand in a
tightly sealed container or pitcher for at least 24 hours in the refrigerator
before serving.
Courtesy of Mr. Bobby Flay