Went back to Gurume, this time later at night after seeing a show so the restaurant was less…read morecrowded but still lively. Had the Soy Garlic Chicken Wings and the Mushroom Harvest Bowl - both were great and what we come back for. Terrific staff, warm welcome from the host and our server Mario was friendly and helpful. Great also to catch up with Arianna who we know from past visits.

Very vibey Korean tapas style bar with a big range of tasty dishes…read more We had a small wait to get in for our reservation, but it was very busy when we arrived. It got quieter a bit later in the evening (on a Saturday which was surprising. We tried a large range of dishes, and most were tapas size except the ramen which was a large portion, great value, and a good way to end the savoury portion of the meal. The desserts were both worth trying, especially the bread pudding.

Really great food for the most part! The tapas we ordered were the patatas bravas, ham and cheese…read morecroquets, tortilla, chicken skewers, steak and chorizo montado, and calamari. All were at least warm and delicious (for a tapas place where food is prepared and served as it's ready), with some being incredibly exceptional (the patatas bravas and chicken skewers to name two). The waitress was kind and attentive to our needs. And even though we were sitting outside next to one of the busier streets in midtown Manhattan, the outdoor patio was vibrant and comfortable. Would definitely visit again for a pleasant lunch!

I recently organized a team dinner at Boqueria for about 15 people, and I can't say enough good…read morethings about the entire experience from start to finish. From the very first point of contact, the staff at Boqueria were an absolute pleasure to work with. They were incredibly communicative throughout the planning process and were happy to offer thoughtful suggestions whenever I asked -- which took so much of the stress out of organizing a group event. The day of the dinner, they seated us in a semi-private room that had a full view into the kitchen, which was such a fun touch. My team loved watching the action behind the scenes -- it added a really cool energy to the evening. The service throughout the night was prompt and friendly, and the food? Absolutely delicious. We went with a family-style spread that included a variety of appetizers, entrées, and dessert tapas. Honestly, the food just kept coming and coming! Even though the plates were on the smaller side (as you'd expect with tapas), don't let that fool you -- there was more than enough food. By the end of the meal, every single person at the table was completely stuffed and raving about how good everything was. And I have to mention the sangria -- they had a wonderful selection of different sangrias that went down very well with my team. It was the perfect complement to the meal. If you're looking for a spot for a team dinner or a smaller group occasion, I would highly recommend Boqueria. They truly bring Spanish hospitality to NYC. You won't be disappointed!

a great neighborhood restaurant in the basement of the Made hotel. staff are so welcoming and…read morefriendly and the food is delicious. croquettes, squid ink pasta, wagyu paella all great picks.

A Bright Spot in the Heart of NYC…read more After a long work day in New York City, discovering Debajo was exactly what I needed. The dusky, inviting atmosphere, chill music, and intimate vibe immediately made it feel like a little escape from the energy of the bustling NYC nightlife. And then there was Bernadette, my server, who deserves a special shout-out. She was friendly, knowledgeable, attentive without being overbearing, and genuinely brightened my day. Sometimes excellent service is more than simply getting the order right, it's a little bit of encouragement and warmth someone can bring with their authenticity. The food was fantastic. The Patatas Bravas arrived piping hot with an irresistibly crispy exterior. The smoky paprika was bursting with flavor and brought just the right amount of spicy heat, while the creamy garlic aioli rounded everything out beautifully. The Jamón Ibérico Croquetas were another highlight: crispy panko breading encasing a creamy, savory ham interior. The black garlic aioli added another layer of flavor, while the candied lemon peel gave the dish a wonderful burst of freshness. The Pineapple-A-Go-Go, was bright, refreshing, and perfect for keeping my palate fresh between bites. There's something special about a restaurant that gets the food, atmosphere, and hospitality right--and Debajo checks all these boxes. Great food, chill vibes, a beautiful atmosphere, and exceptional service. And Bernadette, thank you again for being such an encouragement and for turning the end of a very long work day into something genuinely enjoyable. You made my evening!

My wife and I came in after a show, and they honored our reservation quickly, even as we showed up…read morealmost a half hour early. The place was pumping with energy and talk. The table next to us turned over quickly. The Shishito margarita was excellent. I could not believe how clearly the flavor came through. Server guided us well to the right number of plates none of which disappointed, and even saw we needed more bread for the leftover sauces, as well as guiding me to an excellent Manzanilla Sherry. Tight, packed, and energetic, not a place for an intimate date, rather a place to eat well, talk heartily, and enjoy good food.

I wanted to like this place, because I love Spanish tapas, but unfortunately my experience was…read moredisappointing. I'm reluctant to judge the restaurant too harshly because perhaps we caught them on an off night--we arrived about an hour and a half before the kitchen closed--but the temperature of nearly every dish was consistently overlooked. We ordered bacon-wrapped dates, croquettes, meatballs, shrimp in aioli, and broccolini. The croquettes were hot, the dates were hot on the inside but cold outside, and the meatballs were noticeably cool. The shrimp, which I would expect to arrive hot with the oil bubbling, was completely cold (and overly salted). The broccolini was even colder. When I asked our waitress whether the broccolini was supposed to be hot or cold, she said hot. It was so cold to the touch that it seemed as though it had come straight from the refrigerator. I didn't send the dishes back because I was in the middle of a conversation, wasn't sure what to expect, and kept hoping the next dish would be better. The staff was very friendly and the atmosphere was pleasantly cozy. It's lively but not overwhelmingly loud for dining with people you know. The portions are small, but that's part of the tapas experience. Maybe we caught them on a bad night, and perhaps this is a great neighborhood spot for locals. But based on my experience, once was enough.

I've been here before and they accommodate well. Fun environment, I recommend if you want to have a…read moregood time!! 10/10 :)

The food was amazing!!Tanya was our server and she was the best! She gave great recommendations…read more We had food allergies and she was very good about making sure everything was safe.

Balzem is such a cute spot in NYC! The decor immediately caught my attention -- cozy, eclectic, and…read morefull of little details that make the space feel really inviting and fun. The Greek salad was a standout for me, especially the dressing. It was so flavorful and honestly made the whole salad come together. The meat was also tasty and well-seasoned, although it was a little on the dry side. Overall, a really charming place with great vibes, delicious flavors, and a beautiful atmosphere. Definitely worth checking out if you're looking for a spot that's as cute as it is satisfying!

We popped in for a mid week dinner. We had a reservation but it didn't seem too busy but also not…read morequiet. The restaurant had a fun vibe with wine bottles and art on the walls. We shared a brunch of food, starting with the mezze dips. The chicken skewers were nice and moist and well seasoned. The burger was good but they charge extra for cheese which was a bit odd. The Dubai cheesecake for dessert was great.

super friendly staff -- lorena (the owner) was the first to greet us and was very attentive in…read moreassuring that everything came out quickly and that we were satisfied. food was delicious -- we opted for two tapas (croquetas espanolas and yuquitas) and the seafood paella). the tapas were both delicious and savory without being too heavy, and the seafood paella was rich and flavorful. i also had a virgin strawberry sangria which turned out to be super large in addition to being refreshing and the right amount of sweet. would love to come back again and support their business

Having moved a few years ago, we forgot that every restaurant on 9th Avenue is packed, pre-theater…read more It was a Saturday evening, and we did have theater tickets, but thought we'd go to one of our old haunts for dinner. "Slight miscalculation!" So this place wasn't quite full, and we were able to get a table. Ordered a sangria to share, I didn't want to fall asleep in the theater, and it was huge! More than ample for 2 or maybe 3 light drinkers like us. I'm a sucker for paella, but if and when we get there again, I think tapas are the way to go. My husband had the veggie paella and I ordered the veggie Caribbean paella, theoretically spicy but it really wasn't. It's not served in the traditional cast iron pan, but in a large bowl and it's a large portion. Tasty enough! The rice was just a bit mushy for me. I was looking around and most of the tables had lots of different tapas plates. The couple at the table next to us just kept ordering them and exclaiming, so I think that's the way to go. We shared the flan for dessert and that was very good! Service was excellent and friendly. I'd go back when we are in the area.

Had a truly great paella there recently!! Nice ambiance, as well. The service was Wonderful.read more

Mushroom croquetas were great. Lamb was overcooked. Gambas del ajillo didn't have the flavorful oil…read morethat most tapas places have. Drinks were kind of weak (and I prefer weaker drinks). When we arrived, it took quite a bit to flag down a waitress. Since it was crazy loud inside, we asked to sit outside, and the waitress seemed annoyed at the request.

Everything here was so tasty, and with fast impeccable service as well!…read more - Definitely get the scallop gimbap along with the uni and shrimp add-ons - Crab cake is a winner - Duck bulgogi is fun and unique, not something you see in other places I don't think you can go wrong and it would be great to come back and try more stuff that I didn't get to try the first time.

Finally got into Ariari after months of Resy notifications and I get the hype, mostly…read more The scallop gimbap is the thing. Thin slices of raw scallop, a little bowl of fermented squid, apple kimchi, scallion mayo, and crisp seaweed squares you assemble yourself. Scallop was sweet and firm, obviously good product. The squid jeotgal is what makes it, that salty funk against the sweetness. Order two if you're more than a couple. Ours was gone in four minutes. Seasonal raw fish was fluke, clean and cold, better with the ssamjang than without. Soft shell crab was the surprise. Shatteringly crisp, still juicy inside, and the yuja scallion aioli isn't just decoration. The duck bulgogi was the one miss. Sliced thin and pushed a little past where it should've stopped. Room is the old Oiji spot and I was glad to see they didn't gut it. Wood paneling, brown vinyl banquettes, framed photos of Busan. Very 70s Korean diner. It's loud by 7:30 so don't bring your grandmother unless she's fun. Service was fast and friendly, kimchi refills just appeared. Cocktails solid, the jujube rye one especially. Value is fair for what it is. Most plates under $20, two per person is plenty. Would go back. Wouldn't wait months to do it, but would go back.

This place is extremely overrated.. definitely not worth the hype. You need a membership to dine…read morehere, and occasionally they open it to the public. The photos and videos that you see on instagram do not match what you see when you arrive. The restaurant itself feels gimmicky and thrown together. Sure, the holograph on the wall was interesting to look at for 30 seconds, but that's about it. Our server, Nicole, didn't seem like she wanted to be there. The drink selection (especially if you're a rum drinker) was limited. The rum cocktail that I settled on was awful. The manager/owner? stopped by our table and greeted my husband, shook his hand but completely ignored me.... Very strange. Not a big deal for us, but if you are not used to paying $10 for water, an included gratuity or an additional "service fee", get used to it while dining here. The reason for the three stars you ask? While the menu is limited, everything we tried tasted good. The macaroni and cheese balls were my favorite and the mussels, although just a few, were tasty. Besides our assigned server Nicole and the manager, the staff at Casa De Lobo that we interacted with seemed generally friendly and happy to serve us. The pizzeria that you enter into had delish slices (we grabbed a few when leaving) and it was a cool "speakeasy entrance". I came, I saw, I won't be back.

mixed feelings about this place. i think it's a one and done for me, but i still enjoyed my time…read more first off, you need to make reservations and put down $25 on a CC, which you get taken off your bill. but there is an automatic 20% tip and $4 to $5 venue fee (WTF?). great service. sparkeling water is $10. small menu, not many options for veggie eaters. my friend and i split the cauliflower and although they looked weird, we loved these. the mussels in sauce were salty, but the broth were good. i think the amount of mussels is very small compared to the price. it comes with 2 pieces of bread, my fat ass requested more because the broth was pretty good. i didnt have a drink, but my friend loved her tequila drinks. dark decor, plenty of photo apps, big square bar and a lot of intimate tables. they do burlesque shows sat night, reservations highly suggested.