Bite By Small Delicious Bite
Editors Note: I invite you to ask a friend to dinner and try one of these delicious places this week. A lot of us tend to go to the same places every time we make plans, but we want your world to be more COLOR-filled, not the same bland shades we see everywhere. So be a little adventures and dig in. If you are single, I dare you to take a new date to one of these spots…double dare. ~Nitika~
Aren’t we New Yorkers always looking for a place to eat with great atmosphere, delicious food, and something that is easy on our wallet? Well Bella Life has the perfect option for you – Small Plates! Whether you are planning a loved one’s birthday dinner, or you need a place for an impressive first date, Bella Life recommends these 4 eateries for the best small plates in town. We also discovered while working on this piece that small plates does not just mean Spanish Tapas anymore, it could be Indian, Italian, or Greek too, so move over Spaniards we have a lot of exploring to do.
Alta
64 W. 10th Street
(212) 505-7777
Alta is located in one of my favorite parts of Manhattan in between the West Village and Union Square, where the streets are actually lined with trees and the brownstones allow you to dream big. Tucked away in the middle of all of the city charm is the Spanish tapas restaurant Alta, bursting with its own unique flavor to add to the neighborhood. My personal favorites are the decadent Fried Goat Cheese with Lavender Infused Honey, and the insanely delicious Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Fuji Apples, Crème Fraiche, and Pistachio Nuts. Both are under $10 and you may want to bring some tissues, because I almost cried I was so happy. No really, I almost cried.
Snack Taverna
63 Bedford St @ Morton
(212) 929-3499
Located at one of the sweetest corners of the West Village, Snack Taverna has a wonderfully sweet menu to boot, loaded with Greek treats that turn your favorite snack into a fun meal. I was so excited about the Crispy Cod Cakes with Walnuts and Red Onion that I planned to bring my mom to taste them before I even left the restaurant! And could we ask for a more dangerous combination other than cheese and flaky filo dough?! I think not, which is why the Tyropita (kefalotyri cheese, seasonal vegetables fresh herbs, raisins, wrapped in filo) is down-right problematic!
Tabla Bread Bar
111 Madison Avenue @ 25th street
(212) 889-0667
Being an Indian woman myself, I find that I am constantly critiquing any Indian food that is not my Nanima’s (grandmothers) and very few Indian restaurants have passed the test of authenticity. For Tabla’s Bread Bar that test was no problem. I went to try the food at about 11:00 PM before what was going to be a long night out, and immediately felt right at home while sharing their take on some of my all-time favorites such as the Bombay Bhel-Purri filled with crispy puffed rice, apples, green mango, tamarind and mint chutneys. You can of course survive solely on the Indian comfort breads like Garlic or Rosemary Naan dipped in one of the chutneys out of their tasty chutney sampler. And if you didn’t know this already, we Indians like our guests to eat up so get your tummies ready!
Bar Carrera
146 Houston St @ MacDougal
(212) 375-1555
Bar Carrera is hands-down my favorite date place, and the owner Stefan Mailvaganam could be my witness. I first walked in expecting that this relatively new place would be in the need of the normal upgrades West Village spots need to survive, only to find that upon entering you are immediately transported to the most beautiful parts of Spain. I don’t know if it’s the charming open kitchen in the back, the delicate size of the restaurant, the deliciously displayed Vino, or a combination of it all, but you will not be able to eat at Bar Carrera just one time. If you are on a date yourself, then try not to stuff all of the Patatas Bravas with paprika in your mouth at once, it’s challenging but try. The chorizo and Sausage Bocadillos with mustard sauce are equally delicious so I recommend that you do not deprive yourself, and order both of them. I promise you will not be sorry.
