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23rd St-8th Ave (C, E)
23rd St-7th Ave (1)
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Cute little place in middle of nowhere. When my friend told me the location, I said are you sure? I don't see anything around the block. Then I suddenly see something dazzling inside thru a plain store front.
Walked in, I had triple 'Hi' exchange with a guy since I wasn't sure if he works there or a customer. dude.... still not sure. Lovely... but more unique decor - destressed and weather washed wood paneled ceiling and walls. Simple but modern bold cobalt blue wall and fire red stools. The chalk board for daily specials was so artsy. The color pallette is between French and Spanish. Let's say defined as Basque as listed, or even resembles Jean-Michel Basquia style but simplified and prettified. I think he would love it if he was alive.
Sitting at the bar on Saturday night but it wasn't that crowded. And voila, someone just got a birthday cake at midnight and everyone at the tiny place sang for him. Tapas were small but the pieces were potent. Very... Price wise, I found somewhat reasonable for the sizes compare to other places. Spanish friend brought me here telling me this is THE my mom's home cooking.
Loved the jamon, grilled bell pepper and anchovy combo ($8) drinking with quite strong Kas (says to be Spanish 7-up/sprite) mix-yourself cocktail with Gin. Since the liquor was already in the glass with ices and you pour the Kas in to mix, the first sip, I was already drunk. Oy---
Excellent Croquettes($5), I identified some fish in it, though the menu didn't explain anything other than creamy croquette. They said Cod. Thank God, my taste bud is good~~~ and categorized this place's main taste palettes are preserved fishes in oil and that used for other dishes seasoning.
The bartender was aerating a sparkling wine by pouring from top of his head into the glass almost over the ground, just the way i saw in "Spain in the road again" show! good boy. Not supposed to fill the glass but just barely an ounce so that the aeration is the maximum. Smarty!~~
Wish to have this around my neighborhood, I see regulars at the bar. Too light for dates or dinner in my opinion, but looks perfect for meeting up with good buddies or I-know-wine friends.... Isn't that what Tapas really for?
Highly recommended.
It's small. They stuff people in.
We made the mistake of being a party of three and they shoved us onto a 2-top table. It was awkwardly tight. Hilariously tight. Tight enough that we left after a few rounds of food.
The food ranged from 'fine' to 'tasty', but I thought the price to size ratio was a bit off.
Next time? I'd sit at the bar.
It's El Ajillo .. neither Solomon King could have say it better if he would have judge our Tapas night at Txikito. Dad is wise I can tell... Mum doesn't have to say anything.. she just eat; silent, smiling...happy.
Its a fact that in the Basque country they know how to eat; the Tapas aka Pinchos or Pintxos are unforgettable and lucky us it has been spread to settle down at Chelsea. Txikito is the Basque word for the Spanish "Chiquito" or the English "Little". "Tx" is the equivalent in Euskera (Basque language) to "Ch" which you have to pronounce as the "Che" in the word Cheese. Be sure you learn it right.. because you are gonna talk about it. The owners, a basque couple that spend some years in Tia Pol and El Quinto Pino kitchens, have create a beautiful space, modern with a cool decor clearly inspired by a Spanish Tasca (Tavern). Soft lights, intimate, friendly service will makes you enjoy food, company and conversation. The space is very little, is Txikito, and no reservations, but its worth it. I wouldn't recommend more than 4, max 6 people.
El ajillo is a basis in the Spanish cuisine. Don't ask for El ajillo, since its not a Tapa, It's like the broth for Ramen and as simple as sauteed chopped garlic in olive oil until it gets caramelized serving as base to saute the food that you want to prepare like that. And Las Tostas, a type of Tapas as popular as Tortilla or Croquetas that reach the maximum expression at Navarra and Basque country, where the owner is coming from. Tosta is a toasted slice of bread with your selected food to cover it; cold or hot, but that will permeate the bread. From a simple slice of Jamon, or some cheese with Olive oil to a complex dish of mushrooms sauteed with truffle infused olive oil to name one .. I could name hundred variations about this. But lets be focus.
To drink, I'll order always the wine from the Basque country,Txacoli, a white wine that they serve "Escanciado" that means to serve it from a long high distance doing that the liquid crash against the glass, which will mix the air oxygen with the wine to increase the flavor. They also offer other Spanish whites and red wines. A very nice selection for what I could see. Beers, of course, and Caña, a beer with gaseosa which is sweet sparkling water.
Once this is said next and last tip today.. we use to say Vamos de (lets go) Tapas or Vamos de pinchos or Vamos de cañas.. this time to Txikito. Check the blackboard when you get in.. in the wall to your left where they writte down the special Tapas of the day.
Only 2 Tapas makes me already feel this devotion:
TUTERA: gratin of artichoke, Roncal and jamón .. three Tostas, the tastier bread cover with sauteed chopped artichoke, Roncal cheese and ham.. and El ajillo there in the back. Delicious.
Laminas de Setas - King oyster mushroom carpaccio with Roncal, marconas and tomatoes; a special that night and responsible of my mum's smiling face. Again full of flavor, delicate texture and the touch of the Marcona almonds. Delicious.
I really wanna come back and show it to my friends; and I'm already talking about it. I have to. And the nice and friendly waitress told me that they get the ingredients at Despaña, the Spanish grocery store at SoHo that... how is life.. get ROTD for Davil L. today.
I feel like most tapas restaurants are pretty good. They're always pretty reliable and are refreshing to your colorful palette. However, I must say Txikito is THE BEST TAPAS I've ever had. The four of us shared about 7 different dishes, but my favorites were the white asparagus, the succulent lamb chops, and the shrimp. Everything we tried was different from the last dish.
The atmosphere is very intimate. The service was excellent and very personal. We came in at around 11:30 and they stopped serving food at around midnight, but the staff did not rush us at all. I cannot wait to go back and try some more!
I'm usually not a fan of tapas because I'm always leaving unsatisfied. However, I think this may be one of the best and fulfilling tapas I ever had. I arrived with 3 other friends and they explained to us that the kitchen will be closed in 30 min. They did not however deter us from staying, they were just kindly explaining the situation. The service was friendly and hospitable but not overbearing. The waitress was extremely knowledgeable and gave use great recommendations of what to order. Boy, the food was exquisite. Since we arrived pretty late, we were the only ones eating. However there were a handful of people sitting at the bar drinking. That's because they also had a great wine list. The ambiance was intimate and cozy and it was the perfect venue for friends unwinding after a concert and catch up with each other.
This is billed as 'tapas' style Basque, except that each serving is the generous size of a full-on dinner entree. Not that it stopped us from ordering innumerable dishes. For a 10 item menu in a 6 table space, I thought that pretty impressive.
Each dish was truly marvelous (of note, the EXCELLENT chickpea stew with house-cured salt cod, this stuff is worth a hella more than they charge). Not just -- oh, that's ok -- but, seriously, where can I get more of this in my life.
Service was exceptionally sweet and familiar, such a nice surprise in this (occasionally) haughty town. Prices were reasonable, too.
Basque tapas, wine, cocktails, all artful and high quality
The ultimate fulfillment of small-plates desire is Txikito. Layered pintxoaks are like Everlasting Gobstoppers of flavor, where each ingredient stands on its own before drifting into the next. Go for early snacks before a late dinner elsewhere to save cash, and don't miss my favorite, the arraultza ($7): toasted baguette with sofrito, palacios chorizo, and a fried quail egg. Morcilla ($8), 4 cigar-sized spring rolls filled with blood sausage, left me licking my lips for more. The foie micuit ($10) is like meat ice cream.
4.5 star review
I am a happy girl. This is just my kind of restaurant -- unpretentious, simple/minimalist decor, friendly service, focus on the food. Everything we ate was a home run.
The special of the day was a deep fried pork belly (I'm sure it had a fancy-sounding Basque name, but a few glasses of wine later, that name escapes me). The dish was simple and to the point -- just a giant, honking piece of glistening deep fried porky goodness. It actually may have been a touch too indulgent, but heck we licked our plates clean.
Move over Tia Pol. The Basques are in town. There are some really unique dishes. You must try the squid ribbons. Incredibly delicate, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Txikito is perfect for a casual foodie dinner. All the dishes were really fresh. The bocadillos were great, particularly the bocadillo with shrimp and mushrooms. I ended up ordering them again, and yes Txikoto actually got me to like mushrooms. The croquettes and patatas were also nice and crispy. Desserts at tapas places are often flan, crema catalana, etc. but these desserts were really also quite unique. I loved the dessert with goat cheese and every variation on puddings.
Service was very friendly. Our waitress really described each dish very well and helped guide us to choices that we would like. Nice wine list as well.
A tiny little place serving up pintxos that were amazing! Highlights were the morcilla bundles, squid ribbons (subtle and sublime), thinly sliced pulpos (buttery goodness), marinated anchovies on toast (bold flavors) and homemade fish pate. We also had specials: whole trout with serrano ham topped with fried garlic and a crispy skinned suckling pig - meat falling off the bone!
Everything was superb as was the friendly service. Our waitress had great wine suggestions and explanations for each dish that were helpful, but not at pretentious. A real gem!
Txikito's "El Doble" Burger:
You have to be sharp to get your hands around "El Doble." It is offered on the lunch menu only, and although Txikito serves lunch through 3pm, I somehow managed to arrive just as the kitchen was about to close. "If you could order something right away..." Oh yes, I know what I want. And grasping a tumbler of Pilsner while I caught my breath, I awaited the arrival of the monster.
Actually, not nearly as monster-ish as the name would imply: it's a double burger, alright, but the size of the patties is moderate, and the overall effect not heavy. Hold it over the plate, because it's the sauce which makes a difference, and it runs like mascara on a torch singer. Crème fraîche and Idiazabal cheese give it a mineral sourness, which works well against sweely pickled onions and cornichons and a subtle, surprising note - just a note - of ginger.
Bun-spotters will need to know that this is a semolina bun from Tom Cat Bakery (I looked it up). In practical terms, it's chewy enough to hold up well to the juiciness of the affair, which means - of course - that it takes some biting, and thus promotes juice-squirting. Can't have it both ways.
Delicious, if slightly pretentious. All the dishes have unpronounceable names but luckily, the waitress was there to correct me every time I uttered a word.
Portions are small but very rich & savory. We split 6 small plates between the 3 of us, and we anticipated we would still be hungry after seeing the eggroll-sized sausage hash sandwich. However, after some meatballs, fatty bacon wrapped sweet corn, salt cod with crispy headcheese, and rich stuffed squash, we were very full. My main complaint was that everything was too salty and too oily and we got tired of the tastes.
Prices are decent. It's not a cheap eats place, but it's affordable if you're not super hungry.
Txikito was that last drink before bed that I really didn't need to have. It happened to be on the walk home, and seemed like a really good idea at the time. In fact, when I found the receipt in my bag two weeks later, it still seems like a good idea. What was not a good idea was drinking all that basque wine, when I should have been drinking water. I loved the atmosphere, and I loved our server for being patient with us, and I would love to go back.
I've been trying to think of a better Tapas place in the city OR generally, a better meal I have had in the city. I can't really think of a single better place.
The service is very friendly (but not too familiar), the atmosphere was very intimate with perfect mellow lighting. The servers are very accomodating and you can tell everyone who works there is very prideful of the food they serve. Everything seemed authentic (I have nothing to base this on) and delicious. Our meal consisted of:
Chuletillas - I didn't partake, but my friends said the lamb chops were tender and juicy, although they were quite fatty.
Patatas Mentaiko - spiced french fries with a subtle-y spiced mayo. This was pretty ordinary, but with an interesting spice-twist.
Esparragos - I don't even like asparagus, celery OR hard-boiled egg, but this was outstanding! Maybe it was the truffle oil or the light flavor of the asparagus. The 3 main ingredients go very well together, believe it or not. I'd order this again!
Txiki Txanpi - Small like grilled tea sandwiches, but with fresh, warm ingredients. To be honest, you couldn't tell it was mushroom and shrimp. It just tasted like mellow cheese with a few bits of (any kind of) protein. I'd want to try some of their other small sandwiches next time. But I do recommend this!
Txipiron "Encebollado" - this was absolutely delicious. This is going to sound strange - but it's like eating thin squid that reminds you of egg noodles on top of a pine nut puree, which reminded me of hummus/tahini. Superb, definitely try it.
Pochas - Good God this was the best thing I've had in months! I kept making mmm noises and annoying my friends while I was eating this. Order it! Order it! Who knew mussels could be so good!
Foie Micuit - I didn't try this one either, but the clear jelly that was on the top was the most interesting thing to my friends.
Plate of Whole Prawns - I think this was a special, but it was literally a plate of prawns with the heads on and all in a red olive oil sauce. Perfectly cooked, but messy.
came here late night after a concert and though the place was small, the wait staff was happy to accomodate a group of my friends (7!!). we ordered a mix of the tapas. it was very hit or miss. the wine was average. overall I would say the food quality is 7/10. the service was excellent. the croquetas were good as was the beef tongue.
Went to Txikito when i was visiting New York. Had the squid, anchovies dish, and frites. Had great draught beer which was recommended by the bartender Brian.
Food: A+ I wish i could remember the names of the dishes but they were divine. Amazingly prepared and tasted twice as good.
Drinks: Bartender was very knowledgeable in everything behind his bar. Kept good conversation and made sitting at the bar more enjoyable than sitting at a table.
Worth trying! Totally adventurous eating: chorizo quail egg, crispy beef tongue, shrimp grilled cheese, blood sausage and if youre lucky, the special of the night will be prosciutto ravioli (no pasta, just prosciutto on outside, peas inside).
By 7pm, restaurant gets packed (its also very small). Waitress very knowledgeable and descriptive of menu. Dont worry if you cant pronounce any of the Basque words.
http://undergrounddini.../
Trekking along on our barbecued bovine trail through New York, we hit Tuxito (as I call it), for lunch today and it certainly surpassed my expectations. We got a burger and a hot dog and they both were amazing.
The burger was deliciously juicy, but not with the usual burger grease. It was oozing this sheeps milk cheesy creamy goodness that was surprisingly not messy. The bun was actually a little bigger than the 2 patties which I normally would not find attractive, but the bun was light enough that it actually enhanced the eating experience.
The hot dog was cut in half and on a ciabatta type roll topped with some sort of jalepenos and carrot relish.
And the mustard and the service were also exceptionally strong!
The combination of these elements made me want to quack out loud with delight:
An unseasonably warm night in April.
Leaving work on time to arrive nice and early at this rare-find tapas bar.
Bar area completely open to the street.
Delicious txakoli AND rose txakoli. I mean, seriously.
Great glasses.
Skilled and friendly service
A fine cheese plate (you knew there had to be cheese involved)...
Mellow, diverse crowd.
I don't think I could actually eat dinner here, given the paucity of veg options (no surprise there). But some nights, well... who needs dinner?
omg the food is delicious! i posted pics of my fave dishes.
1) ARRAULTZA: sofrito, palacios chorizo, quail egg --
EXCELLENT! MOUTHWATERING!
2) LAMINAS DE SETAS: king oyster mushroom carpaccio with tomatoes, marcona almonds, and roncal (daily special)
BEAUTIFULLY PRESENTED! FABULOUS FABULOUS FLAVORS! WOW!
3) TXIPIRON "ENCEBOLLADO": squid ribbons a la plantxa
w/ sweet onion and pine nuts --
DELICATE! LOVELY!
***Have the squid ribbons in the beginning of your meal rather than at the end because it is so delicate of a flavor. ***
p.s. the name is not hard to pronounce! it's just "chikito" ppl!
I read about this place through the Tasting Table and wanted to go so bad since they're the same folks from Tia Pol. Luckily, my friend's birthday was up and I recommended we go to this place because I love Spanish food!
I looked up this place before heading down from work and sadly saw they don't take reservations. Gathering my experience with Tia Pol, it would be at least an hour wait. We came in and people were already lined up waiting for tables. The maitre d' was extremely nice and took my name down for the 45 minute wait.
60 minutes later...
First off I had the Cabernet Sauvignon to warm me up from the rough day at work and my friend and I started out with the Rusa, Kroketas, and Porrauk. The Kroketas and the Porrauk came in two pieces which was fine since the Rusa helped hold us over for the main course.
All I remember was the waitress said suckling pig and my friend and I had to think for a moment - to be or not to be fatties. Since it was her birthday, might as well go out with a bang. The waitress was extremely persuasive and suggested french fries with mayonaise to go with the main dish.
Can we say - fatty heart attack alert?!?!
The dish came and I immediately attacked the spicy french fries dipping it in yellow mayonnaise - yes yellow mayonnaise.
My friend began cutting the pork and noticed how the cripsy skin easily slid off. It was tender and juicy and reminded me a lot of the filipino dish - lechon.
My god was that pork shoulder good!
I was thoroughly satisfied with my meal and for 2 people - it was only $100 including tip
Chill environment and great decor. A tiny spot with tiny plates that are all delicious. I wouldn't go here starving, but the small plates are packed with flavor. Great service both when I came here for a drink and for dinner. Definitely the type of place you go to make your taste buds happy with interesting flavors.
Even on a Tuesday night this place was jumping. It's cosy looking and friendly. We snagged the last table for two and strained to hear one another over the noise of our enthusiastic fellow diners.
Gratin with artichoke and jambon. This bread-and-dip was great, the only highlight as it turned out.
Crispy sandwiches with chorizo hash. Appeared deep fried, tasted OK. After one you didn't want another.
I was excited about the lamb special - 'rolled lamb breast', a belly cut. As expected the lamb was nice and fatty, but there were major problems. One, it was overcooked. Two, the green smear of sauce tasted of nothing. Three, salt! Tongue-burning, mouth-twisting saltiness. I had to guzzle water to get through half of it.
Slow-poached cod - arrived 10 minutes after everything else, and only after we asked (the waitress made a joke about the slow-poaching). The cod steak was off-white, chewy and again over-salted. It was crowned with a mucusy dollop of taste-free custard and accompanied by one of the 'cod jowls' they evidently love.
Call me unadventurous but the texture of cod-face is not something I want to experience again.
The menu was interesting, the service was great, but the food was truly disappointing.
****4.5****
The DP suggested this place for Saturday and as a result I think my crush on him has increased.
I arrived early, was invited to take a seat at the bar and was poured a lovely glass of rioja to sip while I waited for the DP to arrive.
It's really easy to miss the restaurant, as there are no signs and the lighting is dark and sexy inside. The DP did miss it, and I watched him rush confusedly by and had to run out to grab him.
We were then promptly seated (they don't take reservations) and were cheerily greeted by our waitress and told about the specials. I was very tempted to get the cheese platter, but I wanted to keep my digestive system in working order, so I'll save it for another day.
We had the pulpo (served carpaccio style and so amazingly good), the shrimp, cheese & mushroom toast, the fries with salmon roe mayonnaise, and the DP has the albondigas and the little chorizo hash sandwiches. Everything I ate was fantastic, and everything he ate was fantastic (I gathered this from his intense appreciation of the meatballs and the mini-sandwiches).
The service was fabulous, from the bartender, the maitre d', the waitress and everyone else. And the bathrooms were very nice - lots of room and clean.
The 1/2 star deduction is because it's a tiny space so if you were to arrive during prime dinner-time, you would probably have a long wait because none of the waitstaff rush their diners. Also, it's only cash or AMEX.
I really want to come back here.
Woohoo! I'm a fan!
A little gem. Despite the line of people waiting for a table, we were never rushed at any point during our meal. The service was friendly and helpful and everyone seemed to be having fun and the food was delicious! There was not one thing I didn't like and they did not overuse the deep fryer, as restaurants like these can easily do. I particularly liked that everything there is small and bite-sized and packed full of flavor. The Pulpo, thinly siced octopus, was simple but irresistable. The Txiki Txanpi (mini mushroom and shrimp grilled cheese sandwiches) was flavorful and comforting while not being too greasy. The Kroketas (croquettas) and the Piperak (peppers), while not the best I had, were still delicious. While everything was tasty, my favorite was the Txipiron
"Encebaollado," smooth an flavorful squid ribbon "pasta" which I could have eaten several plates of myself. This "pasta" could have been too chewy or too slimy, but somehow it was cooked to the right texture and also extremely delicious. Yes, the portions are small, but in this case, larger portions would keep you from trying the variety of delicious small dishes they offer. I'm a fan of Txikito and if it was closer to my house, I'd be a regular.
Still keeping the 4 star review. Service was super friendly and attentive again.
Went on Tuesday night 31st of March with a friend of mine for her birthday. The place was over flowing with people. Some how, we scored two seats at the bar. Got some looks from others waiting for tables cause we asked two guys who were just drinking if they wouldn't mind giving us the seats for dinner.
We ordered pretty much all the dishes I didn't try on my first outting since I brought a more adventurous eater this time. I don't recall the Spanish names of the dishes, but here goes what we had: Chorizo hash sandwiches (I had before, but went for them again); crispy beef tongue (Amazing, especially with the mustardy sauce), trotters and tripe dish (not that great, but the sauce was tasty); the octopus carpacio; the squid ribbons (Delicious!!!) and the braised bacon special with cuttle fish.
All was Yummo again. The restaurant was fun and I like the bar better than sitting at tables. Looking forward to going again.
Last night a buddy dropped in on me from Philly and asked to go to a place for tapas. Having the… Read more »
Hard to find given there's just one tiny sign but well worth the voyage and search. Came here on a date, and we sat here for hours. So long that we felt bad and ordered more food (a cheese plate) after we had already paid. The waitress didn't seem to mind too much.
We started with blood sausage (for him, not me), octopus carpaccio, and blistered red peppers (for me, not him). Everything was really delicious, and the extra bread they brought us was great for dipping in the sauces. I've never had octopus carpaccio, I'm more used to the traditional Catalan pulpo, so this was a truly pleasant surprise.
The cheese plate was slightly disappointing, considering the cheese just didn't particularly thrill, especially considering the price tag ($16 for 4 pieces of cheese).
The service is great, and it filled up quickly as we sat and chatted and ate, so definitely recommended. However, if you're looking for a filling dinner, this is probably a rather expensive way to stuff yourself silly.
Nice place, good food and great drinks.
We went there on Thursday evening (before the rush). It was nice and empty. We sat by the bar and the bartender was super friendly. It was very easy for us to strike up a conversation with him. He also made a couple of recommendation and they were delicious.
The food portions are a bit small but overall, we devoured everything that we ordered.
The space is a bit small. Later on into the nite, the place got a bit crowded. You should get there a bit early so and avoid the crowd.
Overall...would definitely go back
Price: $$ (moderate)
Vibe: Relaxing
Decor: Small and simple
Another cute tapas joint.
I was here on a Thursday night at 7pm and barely caught the restaurant during its lull before the frantic dinner service began. By 7.15pm, there was a line waiting. I was luck enough to snag a seat by the bar, where you can also order from the full menu.
Service was quite nice, the waiters were helpful and the bartender was knowledgeable and efficient. The restaurant is small but constantly busy and quite noisy. The tables seem to fit only small parties (ie around 4 persons, max).
I started off with a slightly effervescent glass of rose, which was dry, with a hint of honey. Can't remember the name for the life of me but it was perfect for the onslaught of tasty little tidbits that were anticipated.
What I found were delicious were - french fries served with a cod roe-flavored, mayonnaise-based dip, crusty bread topped with artichokes and cheese, crusty bread topped with slivered chorizo, sweet onion jam (I think) and a fried quail's egg, plump little steamed mussles served with sweet piquillo sauce, meatballs in shellfish broth, deep fried peppers that you can eat whole and mini grilled cheese sandwiches with shrimp and ham.
Dessert was a tall slice of cake that was flavored with muscatel-marinated grapes (I think) and served with a dollop of creme fraiche. DELICIOUS also!
Overall, this is a great neighborhood joint to stop by and grab a few yummy bites with a friend or two.
As others said, you will have a difficult time finding the restaurant. Seriously, the sign is barely noticeable, look for the address (420).
Once we got inside, we saw that it had quite a unique feel. On the rustic side but still comfortable. The waitstaff has kind of a hipster look going, which is fun.
The menu is probably the highlight. Quite a range of tapas available, some of them are somewhat unusual (beef tongue, trotters, etc.). The waitress listed of long list of specials, and based on what we saw, the turbot seemed to be especially popular.
Of the dishes we got, the best and most interesting was probably the cod. Cooked very well and covered in a creamy sauce, it was quite nice. The fries with roe mayo were also nice, but not very unique. The other dishes we got (pork rib, spicy sausage) were slightly disappointing.
Although the food was not spectacular, the dishes started coming quickly and the service was responsive, making it an enjoyable evening.
To sum it up, we probably will not go back. If you are looking for an interesting and authentic tapas bar, you will like this, but it's probably not worth going too far out of your way.
People come on! Know what you're getting into! This is not another tapas joint with standard Americanized finger foods (patatas bravas, fried calamari, garlicky mushrooms, etc). This is really a stand-out restaurant, and I am disappointed that in a food-centric, sophisticated neighborhood like Chelsea, the reviews don't reflect at least a base understanding of the food being served!
No, it's not perfect, but that doesn't mean they don't do a really really good job of recreating the cuisine of a region who's food and people are distinctly local and unique. Some of the flavors recreated here come very close to those of the food of northern Spain (like Euskal Etxea in Barcelona).
Highlights: Bakailoa (salt cod w/ fried headcheese), tutera (artichoke gratin), piperrak (fried peppers), Pochas (white bean and mussel stew. this was REALLY tasty, and the mussels were cooked PERFECTLY. thank god it came with some bread to soak up the brothy goodness). Oh, and the lamb chop was really phenominal.
Midlights: patatas mentaiko (fries w/ cod mayo. WAY oversalted, unfortunately. the mayo was great though). Lekak (green beans. overcooked and a bit soggy unfortunately, but tasty).
Lowlights: asparagus (clearly not in season yet. soggy), and the foie was just okay, which for foie, is not a good sign.
For the most part, these dishes reflected the food of northern Spain, and the more ambitious dishes were the best. 4 people, 12 dishes, and a few drinks came to about $180, which was definitely reasonable. If you want to be "stuffed" (as some reviewers claimed), go to Dallas BBQ down the street. This food and these people don't eat this way. Highly recommended. Giving 5 stars to make up for unfair reviews to the downside. Probably a 4 star on a good night.
I ate here with 3 other serious eaters. We probably tried just about everything on the menu and I can't recall a single item being any less than transcendent. The portions are all perfect for sharing. Drinkers as well, we made our way through as much of the wine list as possible. Our server was flawless, and an excellent guide through the meal, explaining the obscure and esoteric, pronouncing the unpronounceable, and inspiring us (already tipsy at best) into trying their different dessert wines. Our bill truly exhibited our utter lack of frugality, but prices really are moderate provided you don't dive overboard as we did so enthusiastically. Chef Alex Raij stopped by our table on her way out for the night which was a thrill... we showered her with a round of applause, richly deserved.
I love Basque food and am so happy to find a place that serves txakoli and cider in those fun paper-thin glasses I haven't seen since I was in San Sebastian. The atmosphere is warm and casual, and I agree with other reviewers that the waitstaff was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable.
Some of my favorites: txitxiki (chorizo hash in a crispy ficelle), txipiron encebollado (tiny ribbons of squid with a pinenut and sweet onion puree), patatak mentaiko (fries with cod roe mayo - warning: you will eat the entire thing of mayonnaise, guaranteed). If they have the special with the clams (a mix of briny, sweet razor clams and littleneck clams in oil and parsley), you have to get it.
I'll get my only complaint out of the way before I commence with the accolades: I don't get what railroad ties have to do with Spanish food.
Ok now that I've covered that: I'll wholeheartedly recommend this place. I stopped here after an event on one of those street so far west in Manhattan it has a 201 area code. The hike back to civilization was definitely sufficient to muster up an appetite. Thankfully, when arrived, the crowd was managable and we were seated within 5 minutes. Shocking for the progeny of Tia Pol, the eternally packed Chelsea eatery a little west.
To the food: each dish was small -- starting from croquettes, and on to little bruschetta -- but impeccably well done. Ingredients were clearly fresh and of absolutely top quality. The cured meats were exceptional and the cheeses, many of which were new to me, were paired beautifully. I didn't try the sangria-ish concoction, but it looked impressively fruited.
I started with a glass of their pilsner, which was also quite nice, and didn't want to move over to wine after. All in all, though, wine list looked promising, with a good representation of Spanish wines.
Service was also top notch and friendly.
Great place for sampling, sharing in a nice intimate, relaxed space.
Ok, 9th Avenue is a world away from San Sebastian, but if there were just a few more of these eateries lined up on 9th, one may be transported..
The space is tiny and I peeked in the kitchen to see that it is the size of a walk in refrigerator. Even though...they are cranking out the authentic Basque "Pinxtos"... and the management and staff are very laid back yet well informed.
We had our name on the list for a table, but ended up getting a nice spot at the bar about 4 inches from the sidewalk. ( We were told that they are getting a patio license soon...) A very lively little joint and the bartender, Brian, took great care of us. He even let me pour my own Sidra in the Basque style of holding up the bottle as high as you can and aiming for the cup which is in your other hand.
I wasn't that bad! Some even got in the cup :) The sangria was good enough, but the sidra and house rioja is really a better choice to pair with the tapas.
Small plate highlights were the Morcilla-blood sausage spring roll wrappers, the Txarripatak-pigs feet (oh, excuse me-'trotters') and tripe with beef tendon and chirocero peppers. (I know this sounds kind of crazy, but it just WORKS, trust me). The broth that it is soaked in is delicious for dipping too.. the frites with cod roe mayo were very good . Just wish there was actual roe in the mayo. Having those little poppers would have been pretty cool.
Thank you for finally someone delivering the goods to NYC. Not always so easy to hop over the pond for the real deal.
Also heard at the bar that Anthony Bourdain had been there pretty recently and seemed to have a good time from what we heard...It should be popping up on his show sometime soon....
A great little find - they have a great wine list and fun, adventurous food. It's only a couple of blocks from my apartment - I think it will become my new neighborhood hangout. It's good people watching as you sip Basque wines at the bar. If you go deeper into the restaurant, it's got a cozy feel, like you've left the City for some more exotic clime.
For decades, Lower Ninth Avenue was mostly known as "Saloon or Pub Row". But in the past ten years, there has been a culinary awakening with the openings of great restos like the fashionable La Bottega at Maritime Hotel, Chinese hot spot Grand Sichuan, Japanese sensation Matsuri, and New American destination Parish and Company. This week I had a lunch date with my friend Loren, but sadly she had a last minute change of plans. So, I cancelled my reservations at Country in Gramercy and decided to make the jaunt over to Txikito of which I read rave reviews about their "El Doble" Burger. This eclectic Basque tapas boite owned by Alex Raij (Tia Pol, El Quinto Pino) and Eder Montero is a railroad style little nook with wood plank walls and ceilings adorned with porthole sconce lights. The tables and seats are of minimalistic design and there is a small bar which seats about eight patrons comfortably. Behind the bar, there is the Israeli born Elil. She was very friendly and professional, not to mention "easy on the eyes". I knew Txikito was not a Brazilian restaurant, but I was in the mood for a Caparinia. Elil did not have the ingredients for said libation, but instead she offered a similar Basque variation called a Zurrakapote ($9). Like a sangria, this drink can be served as white or red. It was very cool and refreshing and just what the doctor ordered. My affable server Charles got into a conversation with me about the fine dining scene and my foodie travels which made the afternoon roll along nicely. The Txikito lunch menu is divided into four parts: Para Picar (Snacks), Sopas Y Ensaladas (Soups and Salads), Bocadillos (Sandwiches) and Ostros Platos (Other Plates). I ordered the Kroketas Patatas (Potato Croquettes - $5) which were crispy, creamy and satisfying albeit a bit of a tease because I only received two of them served in a small ramequin. Things got a lot better quickly when my "El Doble" Burger ($11) arrived. This work of art is a beautifully proportioned double chuck burger on a semolina bun and dressed with a clever "secret" sauce and melty deposits of smoked sheep's cheese from the Basque country. I was expecting its size to be a task to finish, but I found it quite light and it did not fill me up like I thought it would. So, I continued to peruse the menu to order something else. I'm a big fan of offal dishes. Those of you who are unfamiliar with offal, basically it is the offcuts of the animal; what is left over after the animal has been steaked, filleted, racked and chopped. Such offal treats include, kidneys, tripe (stomach), cheeks, ears, liver, and sweetbreads (thymus or pancreas). I noticed that Txikito offered a "Bocadillo di Lengua" (tongue sandwich - $12). Charles encouraged me to try it so I went right for it..a very good idea. The tongue is pounded flat into a cutlet and breaded. It is then fried like a paillard and served on a French baguette with simply tomato and mayonnaise. The dish was really, REALLY good. I scarfed it down like I got a tip on a famine. After devouring my second course and my second glass of Zurrakapote, Charles treated me to a complimentary glass of 2008 Txakoilina Ameztoi as a palate cleanser. It worked well and relaxed me further. I was not planning on having dessert, but the Chocolate and White Cream Flan infused with Brandy was touted as a perfect would-be finish to the meal. I ordered it and wished that I done otherwise. I could only describe this as a glorified version of a JELLO pudding cup that I could buy in any 7-11 for $1.29. While it was tasty, I did not get even a smidge of brandy flavor at all. I guess I'll have to come back for dinner and try another dessert like the Butter Cake with Myrtleberries. Two stars for the"El Doble" Burger, two more for the service, minus one star for the false advertising on the dessert. Lunch with two drinks, extra course, tax, and 20% tip $70.
This was a nice chill place to have some drinks and dine on delicious Basque dishes. We arrived on a Friday night and didn't have to wait for a table at all. Service was quite friendly and attentive.
- Kroketas were crisped nicely and just as creamy as they advertised.
- The piperrak peppers came in a nice sized mound and were tasty.
- Canned Basque tuna is a winner in the atuna sandwich.
- The arraultza was a nice 2-biter with sofrito, spicy chorizo, and runny quail egg.
- A special, the chickpea stew with cod and spinach was so good I wanted to lick every last bit.
- The lengua or the crispy beef tongue had a beautiful crust and texture like no other.
- Don't be afraid of the txarripatak or trotters (yes, pig's feet) and tripe w/ beef tendon and chickpeas. The sauce was wonderfully rich but mild that you could just drink it all up.
- One note, I wish the drinks were bigger pours and less ice.
Solid 3.5 star restaurant. Cute space, nice waiters who refilled my club soda without my asking and slightly above average food. Some things were much better than others. Blood sausage rolls were awesome.
Given that we are in a recession, Txikito is packed with eager patrons waiting for the Basque experience. Very much like its Spanish roots, tapas rein a favorite. The space is small with the option to dine in the bar, the decor is plain jane compared to its Spainsh cousins. Basic candle lit and casual. The conservations come in Spanish from diners as they use one hand to sample tapas ranging from pulpo to the chorizo, and the other holding the menu for more.
For about four tapas and an entree with a dessert came close to $80. Don't expect to get stuffed, at least that's not how its done in Spain. But with a good conversation going with your dining partner, the portions are just right. No guilt of gluttony.
Go to Txikito to catch up with friends to chat and chat but not just eat and eat.
http://www.gustorama.b.../
Neighborhood: Chelsea
Category: Tapas Bars
Neighborhood: Chelsea
Category: Spanish
Neighborhood: Chelsea
Category: Tapas Bars
Neighborhood: Chelsea
Category: Greek
Neighborhood: Chelsea
Category: Latin American
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