KenScale: 8.5/10 Visit: April 2026 When my wife Jun and I visited Sushi Sho last year, Jun asked the sushi master Keiji Nakazawa if he has any favorite restaurant in NYC. Nakazawa-san mentioned Bartolo, a Spanish restaurant in West Village, as a place that he enjoys going to from time to time. As we hadn't been to the restaurant before, Jun and I decided that we will visit Bartolo on a trip to the city in the near future. It finally happened last month where we met up with a close friend for a party of three. Oh man, Nakazawa-san was spot on; Bartolo is the new Spanish benchmark in our culinary journey. We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner at the restaurant, and ended up ordering a lot more dishes than we anticipated. The menu at Bartolo consists of a number of pintxos (small snacks), followed by smaller and then larger dishes. As usual when dining at a Spanish restaurant, we ordered a plate of jamon iberico which often gives us a fairly reliable idea on how good the restaurant is. The hand cut jamon at Bartolo immediately got our attention for its more or less perfectly chewy meat. Good thing that I ordered a glass of sherry to go along with it! The other pintxos that we ordered, a plate of anchovy on top of butter, was also delicious and even won over Jun who doesn't typically take anchovy very well. Another standout dish at the restaurant is a rustic Huevos Fritos con Patatas y Gambas. Of course, who wouldn't love fried eggs, potatoes and shrimp in garlic? Yet, the kitchen at Bartolo seems to have executed the dish to perfection. In the middle of our meal, a server dropped by and highly recommended fried soft shell crab, adding that the dish was only on the menu for one month. I am very glad that we took the bait as the soft shell crab, on top of Russian potato salad, was indeed a thing of beauty; Jun, a soft shell crab enthusiast, absolutely loved it, too. The larger dishes were no less impressive. We wondered if the secreto pork would've tasted even better without coming in fried Milanese fashion but it was nonetheless fabulous. The hearty Madrid style tripe (Callos a la Mardileña) was also a dish worth ordering. To me, however, the star of the dinner belonged to the rack of suckling lamb and pomme puree. The lamb's juicy flavor and exceptional texture made me wonder if this was the best lamb dish I've had in the past couple of years, period! As you can see, we have definitely ordered more than would've been proper for three people, yet we couldn't resist the temptation of ordering the cheesecake dessert. And yes, the cheesecake was absolutely worth it even though I was beyond stuffed by the time the dessert quickly disappeared. It didn't taste overly sweet and literally melted in my mouth. For its greatness, I was very surprised that Bartolo isn't one of the harder restaurants to get a reservation, especially since the dining room isn't that large in the first place. That said, the dining room was more or less packed during the peak dinner hours on a Friday, so I would still plan ahead with a reservation. The charming, Old World vibe of the bar and dining room makes you feel like you are dining at a secret restaurant somewhere in Madrid or Barcelona. Of course, there is plenty of beverages on the list from cocktails to sherries to wines; while the Spain-focused wine list had representations from diverse regions of the Iberia, I did think it could be slightly expanded with more choices on style and price point. We have already been talking about making a return trip to Bartolo on our next trip to NYC. I'm not sure when that will be at the moment, but we will definitely need to bring a few more friends to try as many of the dishes on the menu as possible. If we end up moving back to the city one day, I know for sure this will be a place where we will become regulars. read more

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The food here was disappointing, and the service was also subpar. We had one sweet server who was attentive and helped us cancel two dishes, but the other two servers' attitudes felt very distant. One even talked back to me when we asked them to hurry, after we had waited 50 minutes and had only been served a fist-sized salad. The sanitation was also not ideal, as there were flies and spiders. Food-wise, we ordered five dishes and sent two of them back. The flavors were flat throughout the meal. The asparagus salad tasted raw. The suckling lamb was unevenly salted--some parts were too salty, while others were okay. The huevos fritos were fine, but they didn't live up to their reputation as the signature dish. The cod fish and croquetas were the dishes we ended up keeping. All of our tip was for the server who provided more attentive service and helped us with the returns. read more

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It was a beautiful Saturday, warm, sunny and pleasant. After a short walk around the neighborhood, I stopped into Bartolo to see if they could accommodate an early diner. I was in luck. The small dining room opened their window-wall and the fresh air was an enjoyable spring occurrence. Always a sucker for sweetbreads, theirs were great. Lightly breaded with a tomato-red pepper dip, I was in heaven. The Iberico "Secreto" was a thin slice of the hog underside, a "secret" cut known to only a few butchers. It was prepared Milanese style with an egg yoke-red pepper jam that was mixed and topped tableside. A tart mini salad accompanied and the combination was perfect for the day. I finished with a simple Strawberry and Cream dessert. The whole meal was brilliant and the staff couldn't have been more accommodating. I have lots of NY restaurants that I want to revisit, this one has quickly jumped to the top. read more

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Really pretty restaurant with great, friendly, unpretentious service. Eclectic menu, you might definitely need some help with it. Everything is small plates to share. We had sweetbreads, croquettes, mushrooms, steak, many other dishes. Every one a winner. You can't go wrong here. Excellent all around. Don't miss this place! read more

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We've been huge fans of Ernesto's since they first opened, so of course we were excited to check out their new venture, Bartolo. Fans of Ernesto's will quickly recognize some similarities. These guys are basically a high end Ernesto's. Think white table cloth and waiters that fold your napkins the moment you step away. The venue itself is very nice and has a front area that opens up to the outside b You'll see some familiar dishes like the tripe. The fried eggs with shrimps is a humongous dish that really didn't need to be. The mushroom and the anchovies were delicious. The filet Rossini is a classic dish and was well done. The only complaint is that everything was beautifully plated but compromised the food temperature. Everything was warm but not hot. The food comes out hot at Ernesto's. Overall not bad. But given we live blocks away from Ernesto's, we'll stick to the original. read more

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Bartolo, a new Spanish restaurant in the West Village, offers a higher-priced menu of pintxos, cold soups, salads, and grilled meats. Starters generally fall in the mid-teens to low twenties, with mains in the forties or higher, and portions run modest. No issue with modest portions here, BTW. First came anchovy with butter on pan de cristal--two ultra-slim rectangles of crisp bread topped with butter and a long anchovy fillet. Stingy for an appetizer, yet salty, rich, and delicious, each bite a saline umami-bomb tempering the butter's richness. Next arrived ajo blanco con melón, chilled almond crema with honeydew sorbet and fresh melon balls, finished with olive oil; it called to mind the inventive, minimal compositions at Noma. Nutty, faintly garlicky crema played against the sweet, icy sorbet, while fresh melon added juice and texture and the almonds a nice crunch. Exquisite, and exquisite again, and worth a return visit for this dish alone. Secreto ibérico followed--a grilled shoulder cut of Iberian pork with thick-cut fries and shishito (possibly padron) peppers. Well-cooked and buttery, yet repetitive overall and mild in seasoning; the plate would benefit from a sharper or brighter element to balance the richness and better justify its $43 price. A crisp or char on the potatoes was noticeably absent. Service stayed informative and friendly throughout. Staff knew the menu. A taste of sherry offered by the sommelier at the end added a personal, welcome touch. Bartolo earns a return visit--especially to explore its selection of Spanish wines. read more

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Wait staff was very friendly and the bartender really knew her stuff. Restaurant feels a little cramped but vibes were nice. All the food was very tasty. Loved that the waiter recommended the soup, maybe favorite bite of the night. Definitely need reservations, and they were running a little late, but sat at the bar until table was ready read more

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Best dishes are by far the chickpeas and suckling lamb. Service was friendly and knowledgeable but no bread or anything is provided despite being offered a beverage. This isn't the fault of the server but rather management. Bread with your meal is necessary in Spanish culture/cuisine, so kind of ridiculous that we sat there with our drinks without even a cracker, and then when we had our food we had to ask for bread refills. Additionally they require the whole meal to be ordered at once, which is frustrating. There is too much of a wait between dishes. Our chickpeas came out way too long after our other two apps. Also beware that their wine bottle prices are heavily marked up.... Bottle of Raventos which goes for about 25$ is over 100$ dollars here. My rating of 4 is mainly because the suckling lamb and chickpeas was absolutely delicious. read more

Bartolo is a delightful new Basque restaurant in the Village. The food -- a mix of Basque and Spanish -- is excellent. The service is very good as well. The vibe is lively and friendly. read more

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I had heard about Bartolo several months before opening and was eager to try it. Even though I have not yet made it to Ernesto's, I had heard phenomenal reviews from their team, and knowing this sister restaurant focuses on Madrid style food, I knew I had to come as soon as possible. The place is very small and cozy, so I definitely suggest getting a reservation if you want to sit down at a table. The vibe of the place transports you out of NYC into a 1920s tavern in Europe-- the curated vintage decor, velvet chairs, candles, white tablecloths, the moody lighting-- every little detail builds up the perfect refined, and romantic ambiance. The dining space feels lively but intimate at the same time. The hospitality was exceptional. Our waitress, Gemma, was warm and personable. She was very attentive of all our needs and gave us great insights on the menu. Also, special shoutout to Bin, another waiter with whom we shared a mutual passion for food and had a memorable conversation about the rapidly evolving food scene in New York. He also had amazing recs! We started off with some drinks: my fiancé got a negroni which he really liked and I got a glass of cava which was cold and refreshing. They also gave us some complimentary bread rolls which came warm and had the perfectly hard crust with fluffy interior paired with some exceptional olive oil. For food, we really went all out and tried several dishes. We shared: - Croquetas de jamón: the perfect crispy exterior, generous cheesy filling with hints of the umami jamón. Best croquetas I have had in the city. - Champiñones al ajillo: this dish was simple but packed with flavor. The meaty, perfectly cooked mushrooms were covered in garlicky butter and just had the perfect balance. - Anchoa y mantequilla: delectable. The salty anchovy punch creates a perfect contrast to the creamy and slightly sweet butter. These come on top of a flatbread which appears misleadingly thin but has several layers that you feel as you bite into it. Truly a special dish. - Ensalada Dolores: incredibly fresh, light, and perfect pairing with the salmonette below. Simple but the high quality of the ingredients definitely shined through. - Salmonette en Escabeche: a special for the day flown in that morning from Portugal. The fish tasted fresh was tender, and perfectly marinated in olive oil and herbs. The flavor was amazing. Really light but satisfying. - Ajo blanco con melon: the perfect palate cleanser before moving on to the main entrees. This beautiful creation pairs a rich, chilled savory almond based soup that is nutty and creamy with a cold melon sorbet topped with fresh melon that is just a divine combination in perfect balance. Definitely order this! - Rodaballo al horno: I had never had turbot but this was very good. Flaky, buttery, very thin fish fillet cooked in a delicious nutty savory sauce and a side veggie stew reminiscent of ratatouille. - Rabo de toro: Amazing dish! We heard about the intensive process of getting this dish together which takes about 3 days, and the 3 days of work pay off. The meat is tender, and falls off the bone with ease. The flavor is rich without being salty, the red wine sauce is fatty and decadent. The fries are perfect and provide a perfect vehicle to soak up the delicious sauce. I would come back just for this dish alone! - Desserts: we tried three. The tarta de queso was perfection. It was so unbelievably soft and rich on the inside without being crumbly. The flavor was mostly savory given the hints of blue cheese but I definitely really enjoyed the combination. This is very filling so definitely pace yourself and share it. The crema catalana was sweet, custard-like, and had a bruleed top that was caramelized to perfection. This is a great dessert if you want something milder and sweet. Finally, the helado de pasas, was my favorite and surprised me the most. The creamy ice cream mixed in with delicious raisins soaked in wine and a drizzle of actual alcohol (cannot remember which one) made this the perfect dessert to end the meal on a hot summer night. Overall, I had an absolutely unforgettable dinner here. The food was exceptional in terms of quality and execution. Every dish was cooked and plated to perfection. The hospitality was top notch--I think truly the best of any restaurant I have been to in NYC so far, very warm and not forced at the same time. The ambiance was special and somehow felt natural and familiar, as if Bartolo had always been there and has a place in this cozy corner in the West Village. Chef Ryan even came out to say hello which was truly very special! The staff is excellent and it is evident they are passionate about the food and the restaurant. Highly recommend coming here for a refined but warm dinner experience. read more

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Bartolo offers old-world Madrid cuisine, offering an extensive menu alongside an extensive drink list. We enjoyed some beverages with pan soplao, straight from Panaderia Jesus, a bakery in Spain. We love meats and cheeses, so we couldn't pass up on the embutido plate, served with morcilla, choirzo, and lomo. We also ordered the red wine-braised oxtails, the shrimp with potatoes and garlic, topped with fried eggs, and the ajo blanco. We'd love to try more of their seafood-centric dishes and the rest of their dessert menu on the next visit! Don't sleep on their desserts, as we thought the frozen custard with raisins and the sherry was tasty (but, strong!). The restaurant is cozy and has a couple of dining rooms with a front bar; the booth seating was comfortable. Staff were super friendly and attentive, and this is definitely a cute spot for a date night. They do have an online reservation system. +shareable apps +tasty desserts +friendly service +reservations accepted read more

I'd call this a 3.5. The space is charming and the service was very helpful...I just didn't love the food. For 2 people we ordered the Croquettes, Ajo Blanco, Huevos Fritos and Oxtail. The undoubted star was the Ajo Blanco...this is a must order. While the Oxtail was well prepared, nothing about the sauce made me want to come back for more. The Huevos Fritos was effectively a Spanish poutine, with garlic shrimp subbing in for gravy. The shrimp was fine, but the fries were seriously under seasoned. Note that the portions are huge (especially the Huevos Fritos) and we could have easily done with one less dish. read more

Ambiance, Service, Sommelier, the Outstanding pork for two and the croquettes simply refine . 5 Stars read more

First, it's really expensive They serve a rioja remelluri Wine $30 for the glass it's a 40 bucks retail Service was really good The food was lacking Lamb chops were dry and overcooked the came with dry potato slices The tripe was good but not outstanding Trying too hard??? Huevos Fritos a classic had shrimp Added and sauce that made no sense I'll try again Place is nice and crowd is good read more

Would not recommend for two main reasons. Food: overpriced and super salty with very small portion. Service: substantially below expectation and my friend and I felt a strong sense of disrespect and rudeness from the waitress. We were both people of color, came in and it seems she treated us differently from other tables. The first thing she said after we ordered was: "you have to order all dishes at once but chef might let you order more later.." weird rule but not sure if she only said this to us...We believed it was also partially because she probably felt we wouldn't spend a lot here ( we ended up spending 100). In addition, the waitress forgot one of our orders and made us wait for 40 min without any explanation read more

Wow, just wow! Dish after dish was my favorite Spanish dish ever. Makes you want to forget Casa Mono. Absolutely amazing culinary experience, service, and ambience. Walk right up to the bar, which is conveniently situated right off of the street and patiently wait for your table. Soon you'll be transported to Catalunya and other ports in Spain. Truly amazing and well deserving of a five star review by Dr. Lopez. Outstanding wine pairings!! read more

Food was decent but way way over priced for what you get. 14 bucks for 2 small mushrooms with garlic is insane. Similarly a shot glass of chestnut soup for 9 is also kind of crazy. Tab came out to $520 total w tip for 2 people including 3 regular cocktails. There are loads of restaurants that you can go to for a much better meal for this kind of money and perhaps even less. Could not recommend. Service was pretty good and the ambiance was solid. read more

Bartolo is more than just a new neighborhood taverna- it's a love letter to Spain, served course by course. Whether you're here for a casual pintxos and a martini, or a full-scale culinary tour of the Iberian Peninsula, Bartolo delivers with style, soul, and substance. Will be back again! read more

Amazing food, ambiance, and our waiter was really on top of his game. He was attentive, personable, and gave us really helpful suggestions throughout the course of the night. Really made the experience. Highly recommend. read more

The shrimp, egg and potato appetizer was stellar but the main courses were too salty and there was nothing extraordinary about them. The service was excellent. The noise level was moderate. read more