Bite of the Best

The first time I attempted to eat at Casa Mono there were three of us. We didn’t want to sit at the counter, which would restrict conversation. And with the wait for a table at least 3 hours — we gave our name to the hostess and shortly thereafter headed down the street to Steak Frites to eat, as we wanted to catch up.

I decided I’d try again another time.

My next attempt was after seeing a smile-inducing performance of Doug Elkins & Friends’”Fräulein Maria” at the Dance Theater Workshop (219 West 19th Street, NYC). With only two of us, we opted for the counter giving us front-row seating to watching the food being prepared and served.

While sipping glasses of Atalayas de golban ribera del duero 2006 ($49), a reasonably priced and quite pleasant Spanish tempranillo, we watched the prepared tapas being served. Our mouths’ watered, wanting each dish as it passed by, but our stomachs’ were no where big enough to enjoy all of them.

We did indulge in the chopitos (fried baby cuttlefish) with white beans ($15), pulpo (octopus) with fennel and grapefruit ($13) and skirt steak with onion mermelada ($16).  All cooked to perfection.  We oh, so wanted the foie gras with cinco cebollas ($19) but decided we’d wait until our next visit.

The food is spectacular, service friendly and if only they took reservations, I’d be there often. At least you can wait in Bar Jamon next door, sipping some wine and nibbling Spanish ham, bocadillos (small sandwiches) and cheesewhile waiting — very, very patiently — for a table.

- bonnie

Casa Mono
52 Irving Place (at 17th)
New York, NY 10003-3447
212-253-2773