Had such a yummy meal, and would totally recommend. It's pricey for the portion size, but almost every bite was delicious. Croquettes: 5/5 - Can't go wrong with croquettes, love the filling Octopus: 4.5/5 - Very unique and nice fresh flavors Eggplant special: 5+/5 - I loved this one. Perfect crunch, perfect labneh, delicious Beef jowl: 5+/5 - So tender with the perfect sauce Rossejat: 3.5/5 - It was alright but it didn't satisfy me in the way I expected, especially compared to the other dishes Kouign amann dessert: 5/5 - Exactly what I expected. Not unique butis delicious Great service and ambiance as well. With a glass of wine each, this was a little over $100 pp including tip. read more

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Food 4.5/5.0 Service 3.5/5.0 Value 3.0/5.0 Decor 3.5/5.0 Overall 4.5/5.0 Super slow service. Very friendly but also very forgetful (they really didn't check in about drink refills, they didn't handle the check correctly, etc). All this said, the food is really fantastic, and I would happily come back. read more

I've visited La Vara in the past and always enjoyed it, so I was looking forward to returning on NYE. The service remains warm and attentive, and the overall ambience is still one of the highlights--comfortable, inviting, and great for a relaxed night out. The food, of course was delicious having held one Michelin star in the past. That said, a couple of the dishes I used to love have changed. Portions and flavors felt different this time, and the pricing on a few items now feels a bit high for what you get. Dining at La Vara is tapas style and shareable. Our first cocktail, Wild in the Streets was delicious and executed quite well. An Amuse Bouche of Tuna Empanadas was brought to the table and it was delicious. A nice touch to start our dining experience. We ordered seven plates in total: *Two orders of mini Mushroom Truffle croquettes. This was a menu special and very good. Not oily and flavorful. I've had the Cod in the past which was equally good. *Mary Montana Chicken Special. This dish was overpriced ($32) and a very small portion. Moreover, the overall flavors didn't knock my socks off. Disappointed with this choice. *Squid (prepared two ways). This was on the menu (which is seasonal and changes on occasion). We enjoyed it a lot. Though I couldn't detect the two ways, it was integrated with greens and pomegranate. Two thumbs up. *Persian Cucumbers. Refreshing and a dish we ordered in the past. It was delicious and remained unchanged. It's worth noting that we sent back the Anchovy dish from the menu and selected this one in its place. The Anchovies was disappointing and prepared differently from the past. Rather than presenting individual fresh Anchovies, it resembled the canned variety and served with bread. We didn't like it and was disappointed. Happy to select the Cucumbers instead. *Amberjack. Like the Anchovy dish, it was prepared differently from the past. Still very good, but executed on what I think was a Flatbread variety. *Rossejat. This was a dish we bragged about in the past. It's a combination of seafood and Fideos (pasta) and I was eager to order it again. At $39, we felt the portion size was scaled back significantly and we didn't detect lobster or much seafood as described on the menu. The pasta, an inexpensive staple, was just a few forks. Kind of disappointed. Our second cocktail, a twist on the Negroni was just okay (but made well). I preferred Wild in the Streets cocktail and regretted switching to this. Overall, La Vara is a solid spot with great service , food and atmosphere. Still we felt a hint of disappointment regarding portion size correlating to the price point for some dishes and the execution of a few dishes. The takeaway---I walked out feeling satisfied having had an excellent (albeit $$$) meal. read more

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We recently visited Saint Julivert Fisherie next door and decided to have a meal at their related restaurant, La Vara. La Vara serves Spanish tapas but done in a Jewish/Moorish style which results in some delicious and unique tasting dishes. Not super tomato-heavy which my tummy appreciated. We had: Fish Croquetas - a nice fry on them with a tasty smooth fish filling. Pulpa de Roca - their octopus dish which has a nice light flavoring to it of citrus and olive oil. Salchichón - with ibérico sausage and crispy artichoke. The anchovy aioli is nice and flavorful. Ajo Blanco - almond gazpacho that was smooth and flavorful with delicate pieces of cured shrimp. Judías a la Plancha - a delicious bean dish with a fresh and flavorful romesco. Cogote - this was a special for the evening, roasted Kompachi fish head that was soooo super delicious. Delicate and so well seasoned. I'd recommend getting it if it's available. Drinks we tried: Majorelle Jarden Sancho Panza Wild in the Streets Nuestro Negroni -All were well-made, and flavorful. Overall, we had a delicious meal and great drinks. Our server was friendly and knowledgable, and we were quite comfortable at our table in the garden in back. Would def recommend! read more

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What an interesting spot. Clean, CS is SUPERB. Staff really explains menu and concept very well. Food is excellent, flavors were well balanced, no extra seasoning needed. Pricing was very reasonable. Nikolaz G and Support Staff did a marvelous job, made our dining experience memorable. read more

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This adorable Spanish tapas spot is situated along the quaint Brooklyn cobblestones and a nice park next door. Everytime I pass by, it looks so lively especially with people seated outdoors on a nice day. There is a focus on seafood dishes here with many other popular Spanish items. I came here as a solo diner with my pup and had reservations for an outdoor table. It was nice to people watch and their front patio area is really nice. I came by for a light bite and ordered the Pulpo ($23) and Jardin Majorelle ($17). The pulpo (octopus) was such a tiny plate. It was sliced so thinly that you probably only get an inch or two of the octopus before it's even cut. It was drizzled with some olive oil that did bring out a nice flavor. While this dish is so aesthetically pleasing, it was so small that one could probably eat it all in one bite. I would've been so disappointed if I didn't eat just before coming here. My drink also took awhile to come since they were backed up. It was good, but a tiny glass once again. Not sure why this place is so popular. The portions are tiny and price is high. They do have the atmosphere and presentation down though if anything. read more

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Everything tastes good! The spicy cantaloupe sorbet is very interesting. I would die for their black pearl rice. Their service is extremely slow. Be prepared to be there for a long time. read more

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This has been on my list. It was pretty busy for a Wednesday evening. It may be because it was before the july fourth weekend or it's a pretty popular spot. We were seated in the front in a semi-circle alcove. We were recommended to get 2-3 tapas per person. The menu was definitely seafood forward so not a place to go if you prefer a different type of protein. The menu was pricy for the portion size. The three of us shared the following: 1) The croquetas - you can never go wrong with a richly fried croquette. 2) Pulpo de roca - I was not expecting it to be served thinly sliced carpaccio style. Given how thinly sliced it was, the olive oil was the primary flavor overwhelming the essence of the octupus. Not sure if it was worth 21 dollars. 3) Ajo blanco - Very tasty gazpacho topped with some shrimp and scallops. It was hard to share given it came in one bowl of liquid so if you're not comfortable double/triple/quadruple dipping, you should skip it. Probably better if served in 3 glasses (or per person) than one bowl. 4) Two tomato dishes - one on bread topped with crudo, which was my favorite and the second was a cold tomato salad which was ok. 5) Arroz melroso - very delicious wet rice topped with a few pieces of lobster 6) Rossejat - not sure what this was. but it seemed like skinny noodles topped with an aioli sauce and different types of seafood. 7) Cochinillo - a super crispy piece of pie shaped roasted suckling pig served over a chimichurri like sauce. This was a very superbly done suckling pig. If only I could make it this crispy. The dessert options were more adequately priced at around 12 dollars. We shared the meringue which was ok. Overall, I would come back again if the menu is seasonal. The service reminded me of my time in Spain. I think dinner lasted over 3-4 hours. It was unexpectedly nice to not be rushed, but at the same time, if you are in a rush with plans after, you may have to re-consider. read more

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tapas were amazing !! service was great as well everything was exquisite great for a birthday dinner. we even got to bring our own cake and they prepped it for us. It would be a cute date night spot as well!! Very chill vibes inside. read more

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Lovely atmosphere and great service. The dishes are creative and delicious. The anchovies dish was probably the most surprising and very good. The rossejat was a bit of a disappointment, it was pretty small, didn't have a much seafood as the menu suggested, and way too much aioli. Definitely recommend this place. read more

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The mussel appetizer was delicious, as was the special rose wine. The bartender Olivia was very sweet and attentive, without being pushy. The ambiance was nice too. prices were a bit high, but it's a nice place. read more

Great dishes, and some very authentic plates. Yummy food! With that said, quite difficult to separate it from the aura that is tied to places such as this. Strict 90-min table rotations, tight spaced bar seating, Resy reservation system, not picking up the phone, and over zealous service looking to maximize the gratuity calculation base. This is what tends to happen what PE enters hospitality looking to hyper optimize restaurants, maximize Ebitda, and at the same time pay Cobble Hill rent. The whole thing feels forced, and it just does not have that laid-back, enjoyable Iberian energy. It just does not hit the same. read more

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I took my family here when they came to visit me in New York and it was absolutely delicious and the service was phenomenal. It's definitely on the pricier side and isn't a restaurant that I would come too often but if cost is no barrier then I would highly recommend giving it a try. Our server took a lot of time to patiently explain the menu to us. Once we finished one dish, another one was immediately put down on the table. There was never a moment where I felt bored! The highlight for me was the salchichon. I loved the artichoke paired with the salami! I would skip the lobster rice dish and lamb special next time. The pine nut and shrimp dish was creative and delicious! read more

All of the food was very good. Some dishes stood out more than others. The amberjack crudo is one of the best things I've ever eaten. The octopus was also amazing. We visited this spot twice because but the first visit was better simply because that crudo was unbelievable. We may have chosen to have the light dishes before the heavier ones, such as the sausage, the beef jowl and the pork. Those all came after lighter dishes and had it been served opposite, it probably would have been a better order. The wine I had was amazing (planella darmos) and was a perfect complement to both meals. The space is very welcoming and pretty. We sat at the bar the first night, the evening before Christmas Eve. We were one of only a few guests, so I think that the service was a bit better because it was more personal. They were completely packed the second time and were nice enough to find a space for us at the bar. Plating is beautiful and everyone was very friendly. Would definitely recommend this restaurant if you're in the area. read more

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This place is an absolute gem! Elevated Spanish tapas in an elegant setting with excellent service. This place had been on my bookmark list forever ever since they had a Michelin star from years ago. I finally made my way over here, and I was not disappointed. Even though they've since lost their Michelin star, I can say this place is still worth a visit. First the setting and the vibes are absolutely amazing. Felt like a lot of locals from the Brooklyn Heights/Cobble Hill neighborhood frequent this place. And although I am about $5-6 million short on owning a brownstone in the neighborhood, I can dine here every once in a while and pretend I'm one of the cool kids. Service is impeccable. Friendly, attentive, and extremely helpful - you definitely feel like VIP here. They are helpful in giving wine recommendations and have an extensive list for any occasion and price point. I really loved all the dishes we had - perfect for ordering a ton and sharing as a couple or group. Menu overall had a seafood bent. Price point is definitely on the higher side, but I felt like the overall experience as a whole made it worth it. Overall A+, and worth a stop if you're in the neighborhood. read more

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La Vara is okay if you're in the mood for Spanish-inspired cuisine. I've been twice over the past year and have enjoyed some of their tapas-style dishes, though I did find on both occasions that some dishes were unexpectedly heavy from lots of oil. With how expensive these dishes are (tapas, so expect a few bites per dish), I expected more in terms of freshness and flavor. The seating is a bit of a mess as well. The outdoor space in the back is either searingly hot or icebox cold, never comfortable. With a cramped interior, it makes it challenging to find a good table here. Service is good, but I think there are better Spanish restaurants to be quite honest. read more

Intimate and quiet setting with delicious tapas. Desserts that were good for sharing. Attentive waitstaff.

This place has been on my must visit list for a long time, and I'm so happy I got to go recently! Loves: + Food is good, with standouts being: rossejat ($38) which is like paella, croquetas ($10), and cochinillo ($38). + Very accommodating with reservations! If you don't see something available, they encourage you to call them and they really mean it. + Nice service and clean space This place is very nice and has received a Michelin star in the past. I do find some of the dishes to be standouts and some less so, but overall I had a positive experience here. Thank you, La Vara! read more

We came here for my birthday and I was so blown away. The food was creative and delicious and I pushed myself out of my comfort zone on a few things and was rewarded! The hamachi head and collar was so rich and luckily served with a wet-nap on the side. Our waitress steered us right on every single dish. Wine pours were generous and we split two desserts - one I suspected I wouldn't like because of the unique spices used, my husband really enjoyed it though. When we came in at 6 pm it was quite empty, but when we left it was buzzing and full and more staff members appeared seemingly out of nowhere, there was no gap in service. The second we finished our water bottle or wine glass someone was there to remove it. Cozy neighborhood spot and I can't wait to try the sister restaurants. read more

We went with a large group and we're able to order almost everything from the menu. We enjoyed all the dishes. Standouts were the croquettes, the octopus, the fried artichokes and the beef cheek. Drinks were interesting and quite good. read more

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Short review: Pricey tapas. One worth it (Hamachi special.) One wasn't (Morros Prensados.) Excellent dessert (Torrijas.) Excellent cocktail (Yacht Rock.) I went to this popular little Spanish tapas spot a little while back. The prices were quite high especially for one not good dish in particular but the flavors were solid. As they were crowded and I didn't have a reservation, I sat at the bar and the bartender was friendly. To drink I had the Yacht Rock for $15 which had Bourbon, Amaro Sfumato (by Hausal Penz likely,) Amontillado Sherry, and Bitters. The drink was comparably to the rest of the menu on the cheaper end. Nice mix of sweet and bitter definitely leaning towards bitter and I would likely go back and sample more of their cocktails which are mostly $15 or $16. They recommended I order two dishes for a lighter meal or three if I want to be full. The first dish that arrived was the specialty of the night, a Hamachi Crudo with Peppers, Almonds, Scallions, and Celery Oil I believe (there might have also been a sweet component like sliced grapes or something) and it was $23. This was very nicely presented with thin strips of fish with said mélange of ingredients on top. The fish was of very high quality and it wasn't overpowered by any of the ingredients. I believe the pepper was a mix of Piquillo and something else (maybe Padron or Shishito.) This was tasty and mostly worth it for the price. I ordered the Morros Prensados which had a Seared Beef Jowl (aka beef cheeks) Terrine, Mustard-Grape Española, and Mustard Greens Pistachio Salad and it was $21. By comparison to the other dish, this wasn't as worth it or as well balanced. There was a very thin piece of terrine on the bottom and while it was tasty with a good texture, it wasn't really worth it. The salad on top had too much mustard and sourness with the pistachios and grape not balancing it out and it was so comparatively big to the meat, it felt like a salad more than a beef appetizer. In terms of price comparisons to other fancier Spanish spots, there is a $15 version at Txikito which is mostly beef based which is so much of a better deal. I would have gotten the much praised Rossejat but I can't eat squid so I probably should have gone with the Cochinillo instead. I wouldn't recommend this. I went with the Torrijas for dessert. This consisted of Burnt Sugar Kouign-Amann, Sour Cream Ice Cream, and Huckleberry and it was $14 (with the other desserts on the menu being $12.) This was a very well-made dessert. The Kouign-Amann had a nice caramelized texture as expected being quite sweet with a couple more burnt pieces which I actually liked as they had a pleasant texture. The ice cream didn't taste of sour cream which I kind of don't mind and it had a pleasant sweetness. My only complaint perhaps is that there could have probably been more huckleberries. I have had torrijas from other spots with most of them having dulce de leche and berries but this was a nice take on the usual. It is rather hard to rate this spot. The special of the day, the dessert, and the cocktail were all very good and pretty worth it for the price. However the other dish was competitively really bad and on the main menu. If I had just gotten a cocktail, the morros, and the torrijas, I probably would give them a low 3 and wonder where are the good reviews are coming from. Mid 3 for now rounded up. I'll probably be back to try the cochinillo and to get a different dessert but I will wait a while because the prices are quite high. read more

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This spot delivered what I was hoping for. The restaurant handled everything perfectly. The team is well-informed about offerings and delivers superior service. The cooking is superb and the prices make sense. The workers show remarkable attention to customer needs. read more

I had an event here recently and I cannot rave enough about everything. I wanted to find a location that was not too much but exuded the intimacy that I felt the last time I visited and the event demanded. From the delicious food to the impeccable service; the experience was perfect in every way. We worked with the restaurant to put together a special menu - everything was served family style, but for the individual flans for dessert - no words. An event for roughly 40 people worked perfectly (with the potential for more using their outdoor space). I look forward to returning and also trying their sister restaurants, Txikito and Saint Julivert. read more

From the amazing service, ambience, and incredible food, La Vara is an easy 5 stars. We can't wait to come back as well as try their sister restaurant next door! Cannot recommend this beautiful and incredibly tasty restaurant enough. read more

La Vara - Deviled eggs and croquets - Spanish Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Excellent Spanish restaurant in Cobble Hill. Definitely make a reservation if you can. I tried: + Madame meuze cocktail + Wild in the streets cocktail + Paved paradise cocktail + Yacht rock cocktail + Croquetas of the day + Escalivada (fire roasted eggplant) + Salchichon (iberico de bellota sausage) + Pulpo de roca (octopus) + Arroz meloso (buttery bomba rice) + Sweet almond cake + Catalan style cheesecake My favorite cocktail was the madame meuze, and the standout dishes were the salchichon and arroz meloso. The sweet almond cake was the best dessert, though they were both really good. 4.5 stars. read more

La Vara - Salchichon - Spanish Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Discovered this place by accident and I can't wait to come back and try more items from their menu . Literally everything I had this night was amazing . The atmosphere was quiet enough to have an intimate conversation which was great and the staff was all very pleasant and attentive. If you're going here run don't walk ! read more

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Walked in on a Friday night right when they opened and we got seated immediately. The server was helpful in recommending dishes. The octopus was very delicate. The mussels were definitely the favorite of the bunch. I think all the food was pretty standard. There was a particular dish that I felt was worth going back for. read more

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This place is about my favorite in the area. The food is consistently great, the ajo blanco (almond shrimp gazpacho) is amazing , service is friendly and professional, and they even found us a wall table last night at the very end of their evening. It's expensive for small portions if you're comparing it to regular tapas, but it's better read more

Food is delicious, wine selection is great, service prompt and efficient. Casual locale but a bit pricier than one might expect. Cured shrimp with the almond gazpacho rocked my world. Blueberry dessert special was perfectly comforting. read more

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We'd been there twice years ago and enjoyed it, but not this time. Ridiculously small portions for the prices. Six ounces of gazpacho for $24, said it had shrimp, maybe two tiny pieces. The octopus is sliced so thin on a very small plate that you probably only get about two ounces. But worst was the suckling pig--disgusting. Full of bones and super fatty! Drinks are fantastic, service okay if slow, ambiance good, but we'll definitely never go there again. read more

Amazing amazing food and delicious sangrias. Highly recommend for a special night out or if you happen to be in the neighborhood. Plenty of vegan options and very friendly staff :) a true gem! read more

La Vara - Spanish Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

We were going to watch an evening show of Mira Nair's Monsoon Wedding - a Musical. My partner had us a reservation at La Vara before that. The weather was gorgeous and we sat outside. We had: 1) HUEVOS RELLENOS / deviled eggs - Nice though not gravity friendly. Toppled easily. 3/5 2) PIPIRRANA CON GRANO / persian cucumber with grains and herbs. - Absolutely delicious!! . It had a barley like grain and herbs which created a medley of textures. - 6/5 3) GAZPACHO - This was interesting. It was very flavorful. But the gazpacho was infused with an oil which it made it a heavier, more filling dish than what i expected. 4/5 4) BAKALAO - salt cod with pil pil sauce 5) For dessert we had the TORRIJAS. Mind blowing creation!! Service is really good. Friendly and fun loving warm crew! Would we return? Absolutely! read more

Wish I had read my previous review. Dishes were all very heavy and oily, which is fine for one or two things but not every dish. Would recommend the sugar snap peas dish. Got the new ice cream for dessert and the texture was grainy and separated. Not sure how one could serve this. Also, the service was bad for us. I think our section didn't have a server and hence we were being waited on by several different people and there was a 20 minute wait to put our order in. Had to flag people down to order. Also also, got the anchovies and charred bread. Our bread was very charred and we saw others coming out less charred. my wife asked if we could get some less burned sourdough and the server said he would bring baguette instead. Not hard to just fire some more sourdough and make the customer happy. (Also, I like burned stuff and this was a little over for me. Delicate balance when you are charring and this was not spot on.) This whole bread thing is not a big deal in isolation, but I think its emblematic of a place that is designed for the owner and not the customer. Wine list is A+. So many good value Spanish wines out there! read more

I might've been convinced to give La Vara a lower rating, but honestly I see the potential. For instance i loved the location and the ambiance and the service. And we had a chicken hearts dish that was one of the highlights of our 2020 so far (just look at the pic- doesn't that look wonderful- and it tastes better than it looks). But some of the other dishes were... well, you know. In any case, I'll give them the nod in case they happen to figure some of their issues out. Special mention goes to the suckling pig dish, but not in a totally good way. I know that dish can be excellent, but it was overcooked, and not heated up appropriately. Issues like that give me pause. In any case, try them. Maybe they'll have figured things out by time you visit. read more

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Glorious from first to last. A lovely, calm, welcoming atmosphere, bearable sound levels, fantastic service, and even better food. I can't wait to come back here with a Group so I can see the entire menu. read more

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Came here around 5:30 on a Saturday and was lucky enough to grab the last two seats at the bar without a reservation (the hostess informed us there were no tables for the entire evening). The bar seating was very comfortable and the restaurant had a nice atmosphere and good service. My husband and I shared 4 dishes and were plenty full by the end of the meal. The food was all very good, except for the last dish. We ordered the following: 1) Berenjena con Miel (crispy eggplant with melted cheese and honey)- by far my favorite dish of the evening. The dish had the perfect combo of savory and sweet- extraordinary flavors and perfect eggplant texture. 2) Fideuá (seafood paella): very unique dish, I've never had "Valencia-style noodles" before in my paella. The noodles reminded me slightly of Asian lo mein- was a really unique take on paella. 3) Conejo en Escabeche (stuffed rabbit loin): never had a dish like this before, the rabbit paired perfectly with the sweet onion, prunes, and olives. 4) Arroz Bomba (Rice with Jonah crab and white asparagus): a special for the evening, while the crab and asparagus were very good, the overall dish was overwhelming salty and a little mushy. Not a terrible dish but definitely the worst out of the 4. Overall, La Vara was a great dinner experience with a very unique menu that's definitely worth a try- make sure you make a reservation. read more

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What a cute place to get some bites and drinks:) We sat at the bar on a weekday. It was more packed and I anticipated given it was a weekday but was not too loud inside. I got the House Call cocktail and my friend got the orange wine. Both were delicious. The House Call was well balanced as I could taste Cynar and rye distinctly in a good way. The orange wine was also really interesting and delicious. We got 3 plates to share - their plates are all small bite sized. They were small but surprisingly filling. We got the Pimientos de gernika (this was okay), Ajo blanco (this was amazing, highly recommend), and the Berenjena con miel (also highly recommend). read more

La Vara - Spanish Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Good meal, but maybe a little bit overhyped. Made a reservation two weeks in advance for a Saturday evening. Really beautiful exterior and interior--it's a nice restaurant and it appears that way. Service was solid. The server recommended 3-4 dishes per person to share, but we only ordered 6 dishes for 4 people and we still left full. We ordered a carafe of sangria, which basically tasted as expected. Ordered the anchovies, which came with a pickled grapefruit and spiced butter and sourdough. It was good, the anchovies paired well with the grapefruit and the butter, but I maybe wished that there were a bit more focus on the anchovies themselves. The octopus was good but not super special. Thinly sliced octopus with olive oil and citrus, maybe a bit like ceviche. The sausage dish with crispy artichoke and aioli was great. Very rich but really delicious. The sausage tastes great--earthy and sweet-- like you might imagine jamon de iberico sausage to taste. The fried artichoke and aioli just added more richness but it was just an indulgent dish. Slightly salty. The fideos are their take on paella, and it was great. Seafood was perfectly cooked, shrimp super tender. I liked that the fideos were slightly crispy and added great texture especially mixed with the aioli. The suckling pig was decadent. It was super tender, the skin was crispy and there was a good amount of fat paired with the meat. My main complaint was that it was 15% too salty and that really kept us from fully enjoying it. The best dish, in my opinion, was actually the scorched flat beans. They were definitely better than any other flat beans I've ever had. I can't really explain it, the scorching brought out the sweetness of the beans and it paired wonderfully with the tomato sauce. The almond cake was good but also not super special. Definitely a good meal, but my enthusiasm is just a bit damped by how expensive the meal was and how hyped the restaurant was as the best Spanish restaurant in NYC. They do have a Michelin star and deserve it, but for me personally it was a bit more spendy that it was worth. However if you are willing to splurge, La Vara is a good choice. read more

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Normally, I would give this restaurant less stars for the price (high for the portion sizes and what you're getting); however, the food quality/freshness, balance of flavors, preparations, etc were honestly on point. It's been awhile since I've been to a NYC restaurant that executes across all 6-8 dishes well. We had the croquettes, pulpo, ajo blanco, persian cucumber, judias a la plancha, morros, torta santiago and wine/cocktails. Everything, including the drinks, was stellar. My favorite was definitely the morros, followed by the pulpo. The almond cake dessert was solid, but I would honestly opt to try something else when I'm back. It felt a little dry for my taste (but it was still good). If you're on the fence, I'd recommend giving this a shot! read more

We ate at La Vara for our last dinner in the city during our long weekend trip, and it was by far my favorite. La Vara is a Spanish restaurant with an emphasis on the Jewish and Moorish legacies in Spanish cuisine. We shared the pulpo de roca (Galician octopus carpaccio, citrus, olive oil), judias a la plancha (scorched flat beans, romesco, butter beans, and charred onion), bakalao (house-cured salt cod, pisto, pil pil sauce), rossejat (toasted fideos, shrimp, lobster, squid, and black pearl aioli), and xiocolata (whipped chocolate flan, olive oil, sea salt, brandied cream). Everything was great. The pulpo and the bakalao were my favorites - dishes I will definitely keep thinking about and dishes I would eat again today if I were at La Vara right now (the texture of that fish!?). The beverage menu was great as well - cocktails to wine to beer and sherries galore. I wish I'd had room for a flight of three sherries! I did have room for a delicious glass of Spanish wine. The restaurant is small but charming, warm, and comfortable, and it has a lovely outside eating area as well. The service was great. Overall, it was just an excellent evening, an excellent meal. I'd happily return to try more! We had a hard time choosing because I wanted to eat everything. And the food more than lived up to its menu descriptions. If you haven't been, run! read more

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