Had such a romantic intimate dinner date with my boyfriend. We sat on the balcony which was well spaced out and felt private yet still had a view of everyone. The food was really good, I love tapas to be able to try more flavors. Will be back again. read more

Every other Saturday my 11 year old daughter Lilou and myself go to a new restaurant to discover food from a different country. She writes about it on Sunday mornings. I thought I"d share her findings here: The food was amazing, and they added a really cool twist on to simple foods. I especially recommend the empaandas, the paella, and the raw tuna, which were all really delicious. Our drinks were very nice, and they even made a virgin version of the drink for me. The menu was a nice mix of Spanish and Mediterranean foods. Our waiter was very nice and had very good recommendations and helped us decide what to order. The over all restaurant was nice, but it was a little loud, and the food was a little slow to come out, especially the duck, although it was definitely worth the wait. The rest of the service was quick, and the things that were not cooked came out really fast. Over all, I definitely recommend this restaurant, and we enjoyed our meal alot. read more

The restaurant serves mediocre middle eastern food at best. We order the naan with eggplant dip, the falafel balls, the chicken wings, the linguine and the mushroom with polenta. The best of these dishes was the naan with eggplant dip which was really the only good dish. We we're surprised by the tastelessness of the falafel balls and the bland taste of the chicken wings. The linguine and the polenta were still eatable. We did not finish the chic wings and then falafel. To top it off they only accept cash and American Express, no other credit or debit card. That is simply regressive in this day and age and seems like something they have done out of arrogance just to inconvenience their customers. read more

We had a dinner reservation for 8:45 but got there early - at first we couldn't find the place - it is in a townhouse with a small entrance door. We were skeptical as we walked in as we got straight to the bar - but once we got past the bar and we could see the main dining area - omg the place is amazing. Food outstanding - small plates tapas style and the service was awesome - the manager Johnathan was terrific. It's a hidden gem and my new favorite place when I visit NYC read more

Alta - Manager was terrific- great service and very friendly - Tapas Bars Near Me - New York, New York

I came here with a group of 8 for a friend's birthday and had a table in the back. From the outside you would never imagine that it was so expansive inside. They have the sub-ground level and I believe 2 levels above it. We ordered the "whole shebang," which is the entire menu and wow was it impressive. My only criticism is that the food comes out SO fast that it seemed like a bit of a eating marathon. Initially we were brought several plates to start but then it seemed as if 3-4 more plates would come out every few minutes and we even ran out of space. Very exciting, but mildly overwhelming. We also had a few people with dietary restrictions and didn't always know what dish was what since they were brought out so fast. It would be nice if they offered pitchers of drinks for larger groups. We had sangria coming strong all night by the glass since they don't offer pitchers. The desserts were very unique and interesting. They were accommodating in providing a candle for the birthday girl. Looking forward to coming back and reordering a few menu highlights- brussel sprouts, lamb meatballs, short rib, empanada and some of the fish dishes to name a few. read more

Alta - Chocolate and apple deserts, yum! - Tapas Bars Near Me - New York, New York

not very clearly labeled outside, I initially passed the entrance. found it bc I rmbrd on gmaps it was across from osteria. our waiter was friendly but maybe it was the busy night, he wasn't around much and was a bit flustered when he was. it was also very loud in the restaurant and it was difficult to hold a conversation within my party of 3 without having to repeat ourselves. food was just ok, which was disappointing given the highly recommended reviews. we had the paella, bacon wrapped dates and mushroom flatbread. the mushroom flatbread in particular was pretty bland. I was confused bc google listed them as cash only but they accepted credit cards when we went. read more

The Good: Ambiance is on point. Cozy, classy not too noisy and unique. The food is good, not the best I've had but I was happy that at least the presentation matched the price tag. We ordered the 'whole shebang' which is every dish on the menu ($600) so I think I'm in a pretty good position to speak to everything they serve. We went there to celebrate birthdays and if you let them know in advance they'll write happy birthday on the menu for you. Thought this was cute. The Bad: the service was pretty horrible. Let me correct that, the hostess was wonderful, our server (tall blonde heavyset woman) was horrible. It was really obvious that she was interested in serving us. We felt really rushed as we had to ask several times for the plates to be brought out slower (for a moment it felt like a conveyor belt not a fine dining experience). The plates were also brought out with little explanation and because they were not brought out in the same order as the menu we spent a lot of time trying to match the dish with the menu (this was important because some of our party had allergies). We ordered three bottles of champagne (which were served in wine glasses) she literally just opened the bottle and served 2 of the people in our party of 5, popped it in the chiller and walked away. We had to ask for water several times, she was slow to clear our dirty dishes not because she was extremely busy but more because she was spending her time with other guests or maybe it was the make up of our party.... who knows... judge for yourself. All in all it was an Ok experience, I probably wouldn't go back or recommend it to others primarily because of the service, it's not a great feeling to spend that kind of money and still feel like you're not welcome... read more

Alta - The whole shebang. - Tapas Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Similar to its sister Cata, Alta also features a down-to-earth type of tapas, with a tilt towards modern American type of cuisine. I really should say that I have enjoyed every single bite of my dishes - everything was provided flawless! So my friends and I came for our school reunion. Decided to try a bit of this and that, we went for the fried goat cheese balls and grilled shrimps as app, the cured mackerel and paella as main dishes, and eventually the pear tart as dessert. Definitely their paella was among the top three in the city - especially for a seafood lover like me as the bowl contains about 85% seafood and only 15% rice. The mussels and clams were also giant in size and have completely absorbed the broth base, well executed! I would recommend getting the pear tart as well - the combo of pear and tart was just that good, that you would never want to miss it! If I had to name one short-coming, accepting AMex or cash was probably the only one, causing lots of inconvenience. Yet I should fairly say that food here was in general of higher quality and the speed turned out to be relatively fast. Do yourself a favor and get the lavender gin cocktail, and thank me later! Very refresh while still carried a light touch of flora. Loved this place, suitable for all purposes. read more

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Wow I remember when I first came here when it opened, like 15 years later the food is still outstanding. Tapas style you can't go wrong with any of the seafood dishes. The grilled shrimp & scallops are divine. The carrot dish is unreal, they roast the carrots or must get their carrots from a farm with rich soil Bc it was like eating meat! The paella was great and so was the bacon wrapped dates! I thought the weakest dish was the fava bean falafel. Dessert is good too we had the strawberry cheesecake (very light in a cup). I guess the only criticism is the drinks were expensive and they served in small glasses with a lot of ice so I barely got much sips in before my drink was done. Had to be a bit of a critic and point it out to the bartender who adjusted accordingly after. The hostess was really nice! read more

Went to have dinner w friends and celebrate two birthdays. On my reservation I mention birthday celebrations. The place was not it's typical romantic and cool vibe - lights fully turned on as they wanted you to come in eat and get out. The service was for a diner place- the server gave awful service - had no knowledge of the menu and forgot half of our items we ordered lacked bringing the water - let's say by the time we left we were perched . Sadly I had to remind him that it was two bdays... it ruined the nite - as I never thought this place was going to have a server that just didn't care to be there. I use to love the place and today I won't be back. Service was awful and if I'll be paying high prices and get poor to none service I might as well go elsewhere where I'm appreciated and acknowledged but also get more food on my plate ... food portion were too small for the prices you pay. Good luck Alta. read more

Alta is a pretty nice tapas place. The atmosphere and decor will not fail to impress. I wanted to try the whole shebang option, but I don't think we had the numbers for that. Either way, we selected pretty good dishes. Was definitely a fan of the paella, roasted pork belly, and salmon tartare. The other items were not bad either, but did not stand out from the pack. I'd say most dishes are worth it, but others are not ($14 for a small flatbread), and I'm surprised that Alta offers only sangria by the glass instead of also by the pitcher. read more

Great tapas and slightly larger dishes in a very unique atmosphere. They have multi-level dining in candlelit rooms. The upstairs dining room had a large light well into the downstairs room. The decor is dark, with a lot of heavy wood beams. The food and service were great; a little pricey, but worth it. read more

With a diverse menu, dim and dainty interior...good things can happen at Alta. Just bring cash or your Amex and prepared to leave peckish if you do not question adding on that extra dish. The muscles do not come with bread which is a faux pas. read more

I made a reservation 3 weeks ago for May 9th. It is my sons birthday and we were looking forward to a nice night out. I called on the 8th to confirm and was told the owner decided last minute just to close the restaurant on the 9th. I gave them my cell number and email and they didn't even have the courtesy to let me know. Now I am scrambling to find somewhere else to go on a Mother's Day in Nyc Ownership should be ashamed of themselves. Restaurants are finally reopening and you would think are happy to welcome customers back. Alta does not seem to care or need customers. Hopefully, this restaurant closes and allows other venues who truly want to be back to thrive. read more

So it's a little expensive for what it is. The octopus was chewy. Boyfriend loved the cheese balls. I thought it was just ok. read more

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Every single dish was great! We were lucky to get private seats right away when we walked in without reservation! Thanks to the no show ppl! We ordered two salmon tartares, two hen of the woods (fried mushrooms). Theyre the best! Bacon wrapped dates and olives is also a must dish! I personally like the dates combo better I had red sangria. It was huge but watered down. the server was very friendly and I certainly wanna go back next time! read more

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Terrible terrible customer service! My husband called and made the reservation for my birthday dinner. We got there around 5pm when there was almost empty on the third floor and I saw a window seat. Since it was my special day, we requested for that window seat. First they told us that seat was reserved for special dinner menu, so I asked what special menu? They said it was for a Birthday. I said today it's my birthday too and since right now no body was sitting there can we sit there? Then their manger came and told us no window seat is available in the entire restaurant(though at that time the place is more than 2/3 empty!) I got really annoyed by how inconsiderate they were and said then we will go to another restaurant. They were like: go ahead, we don't care. So we left and went to another French wine bar nearby which the service is 100 times better than this place! I would NEVER go back to this place and would NOT recommend any of my friends go to this place neither! read more

After hearing such good things, my family and I were excited to check this place out. Unfortunately, we did not have a very good or memorable experience. After sitting down and looking over the menu, we decided to order 8 items between the 3 of us (one selection from each area). We had bacon wrapped dates/olives, salmon tartare, brussel sprouts, paella, ricotta gnocchi, lamb meatballs, boquerones, and camembert, Everything was just OK. We weren't blown away by anything in particular, but the tartare and paella were our favorites. Service wasn't exceptional. Our waiter was friendly, but our water was not refilled unless we asked for it. The food also came out way to fast. We would've preferred to have some time enjoying each small dish, but instead they rushed all 8 food items at us within 45 mins. When it came time for the bill though, we sat and waited forever to get someone's attention. With regard to ambiance, we enjoyed the look and feel of the restaurant. It's situated in an old brownstone and there is no signage outside, so it's tough to locate. When inside, it has a warm old feel. A drawback though is that it is extremely loud. We happened to be sitting near a few larger groups who were practically yelling at each other across the table. It often felt like we were enjoying our meal at a NFL game as opposed to a nice restaurant. Overall, I don't recommend coming here. The food wasn't worth the poor service and sporting event level noise. Glad I tried it, but I won't be back. read more

Came here a few weeks ago with a group of about 10 people for a friends birthdays. We thought about doing the whole shebang but figured it may be too much food for the amount of people. So we ended up ordering about 15 or so tapas to share for the table. Everything was soo delicious. We left soo stuffed because we just wanted to keep eating and eating. Service was great, they ended up accidentally charging us for a couple extra items but apologized and resolved it right away. The ambiance of this place is adorable, would be great for a date spot as well. Definitely will come back here! read more

Horrible experience! We made a reservation for 3, however when we showed up, the douchebag saw the third in our party was a kid and decided to short us by putting an extra chair on a table of two to seat us. There was a table of three available right next to us and he said that table was for 4. The manager is a scumbag ! We walked out ! We never be going back to this restaurant and would not recommend this to anyone for such unethical behavior by the staff!!! read more

really bad service. waited for nearly an hour. the portion ofeach dish is like a joke. there's a reason why you can make a reservation last minute in Manhattan read more

Absolutely loved this place. Recommend it for special occasions for sure. The cocktails were presented gorgeous. Almost tooo pretty to even drink. Great bar menu as well. read more

Delicious meal and good service. But this is one of those reviews that's just about one weird thing. They don't take Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or even freaking Diners Club? It's kinda nuts. If you're a pop up shop and only take cash, I get it. If you're a really nice restaurant that only takes ONE type of credit card (sorry I don't have Amex, I am a human not a small business) to me that says something's shady going on. Cash or Amex, that's it. it's weird. And it's been this way for at least a year. And even if you ignore all that -- have the decency to have an ATM on the premises like any decent place running an ATM fee grift would. I had to walk around and hunt for one. It's cold! read more

Best Spanish wine list in the tri state area and the food is always right on par. Very accommodating with reservations as well

I went here for my birthday dinner with my family. It's a beautiful place and yes the food was good, not the best (bacon olive and date(not a good combo, meatballs were not good either) but not worth the price. It's extremely expensive for such small portion. A few things we ordered that were small were the falafel, striped bass and risotto. There are other tapas places in the city that are as good but served a bigger/normal portion size such as Boqueria. I don't mind paying for delicious food but the portion is extremely tiny, unless you are looking to spend $500 on a birthday dinner for 5. I advise going elsewhere for good tapas, we definitely did not feel satisfied and the restaurant didn't do anything special for me even though the reservation noted it was a birthday dinner. Also this restaurant only accepts cash or American Express which is not clearly advertised except on a small note at the bottom of the menu. There is no ATM in the establishment which was annoying as someone had to leave to go find an ATM to help pay for the meal. read more

Alta - Small piece of stripes bass, good but not worth the price for such tiny portion - Tapas Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Why has it been so long? This place is always on my radar and I live close by, so why? I don't know because the food here is amazing. The ambiance equally lovely. However on one of the coldest nights of the year, this gorgeous old building is drafty. Be sure to start with a lovely cocktail, created by the friendly bartender. Of course jump to their luscious wine list after. Try the octopus a la plancha. So tender. The beets, not your ordinary beet salad. So many creative mushroom dishes however none of my dining partners eat funghi so I skipped them all. The short ribs and lamb meatballs were big hits. We ordered doubles of the goat cheese balls and fried potatoes. We had 4 of the desserts. Can't wait to come back and eat everything else. read more

4.5 stars I think. I can't quite give them the other .5 because after our first 9 tapas (for the four of us) we were still kinda hungry. Their tapas are on the smallish side to be so pricey. But when they're good, they're wonderful... Not to mention the drinks are stiiiifff. And we had just come from a bar that was supposed to be known for stiff drinks. They got nothing on this place. Now on to the food: What we loved- fried chickpeas (my new favorite snack), mushroom flatbread (so truffle-y), paella, roasted trumpet mushrooms (wonderful), brussels sprouts (not a universal favorite but I loved it), lamb meatballs, quail, pork belly (fatty goodness- make sure you eat all the things on the plate), the short rib (expected but good). What was just OK- the pork empanadas, the beef kibbeh, pistachio dessert What we couldn't get into- the duck confit in grape leaves (no...) All-in-all, a great meal. The dishes are creative and have unfamiliar but wonderful taste profiles. Should also mention the excellent service (loved our server) and really lively ambiance. The little balcony surrounding and overlooking the main dining room was a nice touch. We'll be back... read more

I had heard so many great things about this place and was really excited to go-much of what I heard was true! I met my friends in an intimate back corner upstairs. The decor was Italianate and spacious-a rare combo and delight in crowded, modern NYC. Dim lighting and vines creeping up corners and walls complete the look! I love tapas-I just do-and I couldn't wait to try as much as possible! These are the dishes I tried: Bacon-wrapped olives-really good! olives were juicy and bacon melted off the toothpick. Spring vegetables-tasty and delicate with a light sauce. Pork empanadas-pork was flavorful but crust was too doughy. Cilantro sauce on the side was awesome! salmon tartare-the biggest disappointment of the night. I'd read so many good things about it but the flavor was bland and the seaweed wrap overwhelmed the salmon. Boo. Paella-solid paella but not the best I've had. Red sangria-great! Overall, food and service were really good but not amazing-didn't really stand out amongst other tapas I've had-especially for the price. Four stars for food (which is still very solid) and five stars for decor! So romantic-just like I'd been promised! read more

Okay, so I have now been here for the second time the other night...and...it was just as good as the first time (something I can't say about some of the dates I've been on!). The food, service, and atmosphere are bar none some of the best I've ever experienced. The room is candlelit, with a 2nd floor balcony providing more of the romantic seating that exists on the 1st floor. The bar is somewhat noisy but you can still find an intimate corner. Now, the food...to die for. From goat cheese balls to flat breads to chick peas, everything I've tasted is divine. They also have a full cocktail & wine bar, so that you can indulge to your heart's content. Overall, this place is a great date place or somewhere cool to get toghether with a group of friends. There's no sign outside so you'll just have to stumble into it as I did. And FYI, they only take cash or Amex (no other credit cards), so be prepared. read more

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Tucked away on 10th street in a quiet corner of West Village, it's easy to unknowingly pass by Alta. It's not your typical restaurant; there's no flashy sign that tries to draw in pedestrians nor is there a celebrity chef or restaurateur to constantly bring in publicity or the press. A few of my friends had recommended it as an ideal date spot, so when the opportunity arose, I made the reservation for dinner on a Saturday. After making our way down a set of steps and past the bar, we checked in with the host and were led to the dining room on the second floor. The spacing of tables and chairs isn't the most generous, but it's an inviting space with candles on each table, complimented by the chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Waters were filled, menus were placed in front of us, and we started skimming through the list of choices for the evening. Alta specializes in small plates meant to be shared, and while the menu isn't the most organized, it begins with the lighter starter dishes to the larger, more entree-like plates. Between the two of us, we ordered five dishes based on recommendations and also on the descriptions that caught our eyes. One - Bacon Wrapped Dates. Per several suggestions, we asked them to change the plate from "Dates and Olives" to just dates. I have to admit that it was a smart choice, as the contrast of sweet and salty was ingenious, especially with the addition of a touch of honey on the bacon. The filling inside consists of crushed almonds, but the chew was a little too crunchy for my liking. Two - Fried Goat Cheese. I'm pretty sure this was the first time I'd eaten cheese that had been fried, but Alta's version of it is a surprisingly aesthetic dish. Served on a skewer are four balls of lightly fried goat cheese. They come on top of an aromatic lavendar-infused honey; the sensation of consuming an aroma was a little strange, but it was a tasty few bites that I came to appreciate. Three - Lamb Meatballs. A Mediterranean-influenced version of albondigas, we had four small meatballs served in a smoky red pepper sauce dotted with sesame seeds and a spoonful of lebne, and finished off with a soft cooked egg. The actual consumption of this dish was a bit difficult (placing a meatball, sauce, and egg yolk on a fork is quite the feat) but the flavors were spot on. The slight gameyness from the lamb, a hint of spice from the red pepper sauce, and a creamy egg yolk make for a delicious bite. Four - Crispy Brussel Sprouts. We ordered this dish based on fair amount of positive feedback, but I wasn't impressed with the execution. The brussel sprouts were neatly charred and the addition of Fuji apple slices and crushed pistachios were smart additions that added additional dimensions of flavor and texture, but there was only a faint drizzle of creme fraiche lining the top. It was a much needed addition to balance out the smokiness of the brussel sprouts and once we got to the bottom of the bowl, the taste became slightly unpleasant. Five - Steak Tartare. A delicately plated tartare was served with shallots, nigella seeds, and topped off with a handful of mache leaves with an artichoke mousse on the side. The tartare was extremely fresh and the addition of a little mustard added a surprise of flavor to each forkful. It was slightly underseasoned, however, and the pairing of a slightly more acidic sauce would have been a good contrast. As is typical of most small plates or tapas places, Alta isn't the place to go to have a full and satisfying dinner. What it doesn't have in portion size, it makes up for with a variety of ingredients and tastes and an intimate ambiance. While their reservation policy (you must call to confirm before 3PM the day of) and payment methods (AmEx and Cash only) are a slight nuisance, the reward at the end makes it worth the effort. read more

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Best dinner I've had in a long time. The restaurant was beautiful. It's a very unique space with a ground floor for group seating and then a mezzanine around the top for smaller (2 person) tables. I was there for a group dinner but I bet it would be a very romantic date spot. Evey dish was spectacular but my favorites were the ricotta gnocchi, brussel sprouts and butterscotch foam dessert. read more

Alta - Menu - Tapas Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Came on a Thursday night with a big group, we did family style, so we basically tried ALL of the dishes. Jumping straight to the DOs and DON'Ts: DOs: - Snacks - Fried goat cheese ($7) - Raw - Salmon Tartare (SO GOOD) ($11) - Vegetable - Brussel sprouts ($13) - Vegetable - Mushrooms ($13) - Sea - scallops (SO GOOD) ($19) - Sea - shrimp & chorizo skewer ($13) - Pasta - mushroom flatbread ($14) - Bread - Smoked mozzarella ($12) - Land - Lamb tagine (SUPER GOOD) ($19) - Land - Braised short ribs spaghetti (MUST GET) ($22) - Dessert - lemon-scented olive oil cake ($10) - Dessert - strawberry cheesecake ($10) - Dessert - banana s'more sundae ($10) Pretty much all the rest of the food are average, the decor was awesome (lightings are bad for photos though), it has 3 floors, the top one is for private party. Drinks - I kind of wish they have a better selection of cocktails, a lot of them have ginger in them and i'm not a big fan, but they have a huge selection for wine. cocktails are around $13-15 per drink, not bad Service - our server Christian is awesome, but some other servers are not as friendly, wish they are more consistent on this Will definitely come back though! read more

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Alta is the kinda place you walk in and your greeted by a wonderful Host Staff. You order some wine from a very friendly server, Ahakwah B. Conversation. Order a round of some delicious Tapas. Conversation. Sip some more smooth Sangiovese wine. Conversation. Order a second round of outstanding Tapas. Conversation. Another bottle of this great Italy wine. Conversation. Add a third round of tasty Tapas. Conversation. Finish the 2nd bottle of wine. Conversation. Order outrageous desserts and coffee. Conversation.............. This was my experience last Thursday night with the wife and in-laws for 3 plus hours. Alta is conducive to food, drink and conversation. It is a wonderful restaurant that when you walk in your are welcome into someones home in Spain. I felt the interior of the restaurant was a courtyard in said home with a wraparound balcony. To take the chill out of the air, there was a raging fire in the rear fireplace. The rooms were beautifully decorated in wood with accent pieces here and there. Montevertine 'Montevertine Rosso' (Sangiovese) 2004 I am a fan of wines from Tuscany and when I see Sangiovese, sold. This is a classic explosive fruity wine with aromas of cherry and raspberry. It has a long, smooth finish and stands up well to rich foods. The Tapas Pulled Pork Empanadas sweet & spicy cilantro dipping sauce Simple dish but very tasty........... Lamb Meatballs spiced butternut squash foam, toasted sesame seeds and lebne Lots of flavor. Very memorable............. Bacon Wrapped Dates & Olives stuffed with almonds Beautiful combination of texture and flavors................... Braised Octopus, Carrot & Daikon Salad citrus cumin dressing, cilantro Very clean dish. Set up the palate for more flavors.............. Bruschetta of Spinach & Mascarpone dried Turkish figs, pine nuts, parmesan & balsamic Another complex dish in flavors............ Crispy Brussels Sprouts fuji apples, crème fraiche, pistachio nut Make sure you get a very crispy Brussels sprout. WOW.............. Braised Lamb with Tamarind traditionally prepared cous cous, dates, pistachio, barberry, piri piri Flavor and texture. Texture and flavor. Very amazing dish.............. Chestnut & Mascarpone Ravioli pancetta, sage brown butter, vin cotto, preserved lemon Complex flavors but does not over power the ravioli.................. Steak Tartare (nigella seeds, shallots, violet mustard), seared asparagus, Hollandaise A must try. Clean finish. Well balanced............. House-Made Grilled Merguez toasted falafel, red wine pudding, lebne goat cheese sauce Fresh. Very fresh. Lots of flavor. Very moist. Another home run........... Avocado Relleno with crab meat & shrimp, frisee, and orange segments Creamy. Tasty. Very light............... Skirt Steak with Chimichurri, parmesan potato puree, haricot vert & tomato salad I could have this all night. Perfectly cooked, rare. Home run............. Pan Roasted Striped Bass spiced carrot puree, salad of snow peas, lemon essence nage Light with well balance flavors. Very nice.............. The Desserts... Apple Confit Very high end dessert. Lots of flavor............ Creme Brulee A must try. Unique presentation............ Overall, I had an OUTSTANDING meal and experience. The tapas ranged from the simple with varies flavors to complex dishes that challenged ones taste profile. The tapas seem to be expedited to the table when ready by an efficient staff. It was a constant flow of food, wine and conversation. Service was very good and spaced to allow the flow of the evening. When ordering Tapas, you should order in rounds so there is a constant flow. read more

I suggested this popular tapas haunt for a double-date dinner with the brother. Like Babbo, Alta makes its home on a residential Greenwich Village street where one could easily walk by without knowing what it is. But once you enter into the main, basement-level room, a surprisingly large space opens up (whoever chose/designed this place did a great job). The bi-level room is centered around a large, tasteful chandelier. We got a table for four immediately without reservations (shocking due to its popularity). Maybe this had something to do with news of their pastry chef's recent misfortunes abroad, but I will end my speculation there. Soon after we sat down, a very nice man in a sweater vest whom I could have easily mistaken for an NPR radio host walked over to welcome us and bring us some wine glasses. (A word of caution: there is some upsell of hooch here, so this is not for the frugal of heart. When our waitress came by to take away our empty bottle and we declined a refill, she seemed oblivious to this and asked if we wanted another bottle again.) The food, needless to say, came in precious, expensive portions. Save your hunger for Grey's Papaya or the halal cart. This is a place to sample nibbles and pay a lot for it. We got just enough to sate 4 people without breaking the bank (7 tapas). Our favorites were the house-made pizza (porcini cream, fontina, crimini mushrooms, fried garlic, aleppo), wok-seared "taglierini" of calamari with haricot vert, garlic chips, and jalapeno, and avocado relleno with crabmeat & shrimp, frisee, and orange segments. I was not impressed with the fried goat cheese balls dipped in honey or the sea bass tartare (barely 2 bites for $12.50). The fried caluflower went over well with my brother and his gf (I don't touch the stuff). We decided to skip dessert and moved the party to my place to save some moolah, but if you're on a mission to impress a date or have culinary bucks to spend, Alta should be on your tapas-hopping trail map. read more

Haven't been this giddy about a place in a while! Is this what falling in love is like?? If so, I will take it with strong sangria -- which Alta does and does right. Everything we tried was good. This does not happen in most tapas places I have been to, even the well reviewed ones (ie Boqueria). Best Dishes: Fried Goat Cheese with Lavender-Infused Honey: YES. Over and over please. I don't care if I was inappropriately moaning while consuming this. Not all fried foods are created equally, and just because you fry something does not make it automatically good. This is very lightly fried with a thin just crispy outside and the goat cheese melts in your mouth. Perfect. And yes, the lavender honey makes a real difference in this dish. Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Apples, Pistachios: These are the only brussels sprouts I've had that are comparable to ilili's amazing roasted brussels sprouts. The ilili one is drenched in a yogurt based sauce, which makes it quite heavy. These are much lighter, even though there is some creme fraiche in them, they are not too filling. So good I wanted to order another plate. Bacon Wrapped Dates: Thanks to another yelper, I requested this with dates only, and they accommodated even though our waiter said he never got that request before. It was great - bite sized dates with crispy bacon wrapped around was a perfect combination of salty and sweet. I'm not one to think that adding bacon automatically makes everything better, but in this case, it was so right. Seared Sea Scallops: The order comes with 2, and they are jumbo sized and very well cooked. Delicious. Less Awesome but Very Good Dishes: Char-Grilled Eggplants with Shallots: This had a nice smokey flavor from the grill, and it was actually a very good eggplant dish. I love eggplant and have had a lot of good eggplant dishes, so I would not re-order this next time. Lamb Meatballs: I'm glad we got these, it was a last minute order because they forgot our duck, but by then we were too full for a big dish. We opted to try these instead, and they were very soft and well flavored. Much better than the meatballs I had at Pylos. It also didn't taste gamey at all, and they were smaller than I expected, which was good for our stomachs at that point. Pan Roasted Striped Bass: Also a great seafood option, the skin was nicely crispy and the carrot puree was just lovely I can't put this in the best dish section as good as it was, because it was a bit small for the price of $15.50. Our waiter, who was great, did warn us that it was a small portion and recommended the salmon instead. I try not to order salmon most places because it's usually unimpressive, but I would consider it next time since I trusted his judgment. Sangria is extremely strong, one glass was more than enough for a weekday dinner. If there's one thing you can skip here, it would be the dessert. We got the Grand Marnier Custard and the Apple Confit. They were just okay - I liked the apple a little more, the warm apple slices were nice with the ice cream. The custard was a goopy mess. I would have preferred to try two more plates instead of the dessert. Besides the desserts, all the plates were excellent - nothing was bad. What separated the best dishes for me is likely a matter of personal preference in food. I'll have trouble next time deciding between getting the dishes I loved last time, and trying new dishes. Maybe the charm will wear off eventually, but for now I am smitten and I cannot wait to go back. read more

Alta - fried goat cheese - Tapas Bars Near Me - New York, New York

My experience imbibing wine at the bar with two San Franciscans was pleasurable, due mostly to the company. We went elsewhere for food so no comment there. American Express or cash only. Really, Alta? If only we'd known. . .could've saved the snowy trip to the nearest ATM a block over! read more

I have been here prior to my recent jaunts & new obsession; Alta is one of the gems I have come across that never fails to impress. As a Spanish/ Mediterranean/ North African tapas bar they have a heavy focus on amazing ingredients, and every dish has a unique taste and flare. They use a lot of crème fraîche on their dishes as well as different variations of nuts including pistachios, almonds and hazelnuts. Their menu is divided into different sections - land, sea, raw, vegetables... You get the picture. There's something for everyone, and that's kind of the point because they are small dishes that you want to be able to share and try amongst the table. Almost every dish has approximately enough for three people to have a taste so if there is more than three of you order accordingly. If everyone wants to taste the salmon tartare on individual black rice crisps, order two servings as this comes in a trio - plus it happens to be one of the best items on the menu... The Decour and vibe is very rustic with wooden beams throughout, and the Spanish flair is evident. They have a gorgeous long bar upfront where you can sit and eat with friends, but the seats are taken very quickly - this is also where a lot of people wait and have cocktails before their seat is ready. Even though this establishment has three levels it is always packed to the brim on the weekends, so unless you have a reservation be prepared to wait. It is worth the wait for sure- The bar area can get very crowded if you do not make a reservation, or you do have to wait either way.... I've been here twice the last two weeks one time with two other girlfriends and then I had to bring my parents back because small dishes amongst three people are always fun in my opinion, as I would preferred to eat light and taste many things than order one large entrée. Each experience was unique as we order different things but there was a couple mainstaysI highly recommend- as previously noted the salmon tartare trio is out of this world, as are the brussels sprouts with Apple pistachio and crème fraîche... The lamb meatballs were one of my favorite dishes of the night as was the shrimp with chorizo on a skewer. We also tried the seared scallops that were good but not memorable, and we try the pork loin which was different. Not something I would order again but I always like to try something new. Next time I would like to try the muscles. The beats in crème fraîche with hazelnuts are fantastic as well! To finish up, the yogurt cheesecake with blueberry compote and a cava sorbet was out of this world. Each dish is approximately $13 - Sum are more some are less, but the bill is always surprisingly on the low-end if you are not drinking. So order many and enjoy the food because like I said each dish has its own personality and you'll be happy to have tried multiple items . read more

Went back again and while the goat cheese balls were still awesome some of the other dishes were not as good. The brussels sprouts were not as crunchy and delicious and the pizza wasn't as flavorful. Also tried the snapper this time which was just ok. read more

Alta - Snapper...not bad - Tapas Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Is there someway, somehow I can rewind back to last night so I can have this meal all over again? I don't like to go to spots twice, I'd come here again and again. So many plates of deliciousness that need to get in my belly, STAT. First off you would never ever expect this spot to the be the size that is it. It's deceiving when walking down the staircase and then BAM. A gorgeous dim lit restaurant awaits you. The decor here is stunning, rustic and romantic. You're first welcomed by the bar and the hostess stand is found at the end. They do take reservations, if you wanna dine here I highly suggest making one. Make sure you reserve the upper dining area. This way you're able to take it all in. You do you have the confirm your own reservation here. If they don't hear from you by 3 PM, tables a goner, don't blow it. They've got a great selection of beers, wines and cocktails. Note, if you want to grow hair on your chest order yourself a Spanish Manhattan. This drink is unbearable even for a whiskey drinker. Now onto the important things. The menu is extensive and creative. There were so many items that stood out but the selection we made was right on point. If you wanna eat some good food, order the following: Fried Goat Cheese with lavender infused honey. Almost skipped this one but c'mon its a given. Four creamy yet tangy fried cheese balls with a little sweet side of honey? Yes please. House-Made Pizza porcini cream, Fontina, crimini mushrooms, fried garlic, aleppo. Perfect for two people, crust is super thin and topped ever so nicely with thinly sliced mushrooms. The use of truffle oil here would have really made this award winning. Braised Octopus, Carrot & Daikon Salad citrus cumin dressing, cilantro. POW! Get this. If you don't you've missed one of the best dishes. The octopus was prepared perfectly, but I'm pretty sure they cut it on a mandolin, so don't expect hunks of octoupus. A colorful dish too, pretty to the eye, pleasing to the palate. The dressing is what may have made this dish for me. Grilled Japanese Eggplant Feta, watercress, sweet & sour shallots, toasted sesame seeds. I love eggplant. Grilled and maybe even roasted for a quick minute, the sweet and sour combo here really kicked up the flavor of this delicious purple veggie. Avocado Relleno with crabmeat & shrimp, frisee, and orange segments. Protein up. Don't be fooled when this comes to the table. While it may just look like avocado, its naaaat. It's chuck full of fresh and tasty crab meat and shrimp, so get into it. The touch of orange added a nice hint of sweetness to the main player. Seared Sea Scallops spiced spaghetti squash, toasted walnut, black truffle froth. Wait, everything I love the most in one dish? Three nice sized scallops browned perfectly are playing around with some truffle froth for additional flavor. Mmmmm delicious. I highly suggest coming with an appetite but more importantly good company and with someone who appreciates food. I was happy they staggered the plates otherwise we would have been SOL and there are no table extensions or four tops here for two people. The service was good and not over bearing in the least. Helpful with menu suggestions but snobby about the Spanish Manhattan. That's a story for another day. It's only cash or AMEX so come prepared. read more

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This has been on my list forever and I was finally able to grab a last minute reservation for a birthday dinner. I was simply blown away by (almost) everything we tried. Do yourself a favor and go with as many people as possible - you'll want to try one of everything on the menu! ....Fois gras, sea bass carpaccio, stuffed dates, fried goat cheese, burrata, stuffed grape leaves, chicken cigars (just ok), empanadas (also just ok).... and now for the things we had to order seconds of: Braised short Rib with beet noodles... OH MY GOD! Out of this world. Can't believe I like beet noodles this much. salmon tartare, perfect. SMOKED MOZZ. WOHHHHHHHHHHH. One star deducted because you are not going to get good service here, that being because it's packed. But with this food (and fun atmosphere) I let them slide... read more

Alta - Tartare - Tapas Bars Near Me - New York, New York