After a slight snafu with our reservation where we booked for the wrong day, we were lead into the middle dining hall which smelled deliriously of the fresh cut roses that filled the room and was illuminated by a sea of tea lights. Brian mentioned how this restaurant decor would not exist in an earthquake prone California where it would be disastrous for every tea light or vase to sit precariously close to an edge. For dinner we split: Negros Y Cruijentes -- Crispy vermicelli, shaved sepia, watercress, sofrito and beet powder. Nuestra Paella-- Bomba rice, free range chicken, sepia head-on prawns, clams, sea scallops, mussels and chorizo. Porcella-- Slow roasted suckling pig, watercress, frisee, grilled quince and px reduction Torrija Con Sorbete-- Spanish brandy bread pudding, passion fruit sorbet, crispy corn tuile, mango emulsion. Everything was so delicious that I'm glad we were able to get into this place anyway. The front desk people had let us grab the first open table they had after we waited in the lobby for a couple hours. read more

I love love this restaurant. I had dinner here on a Saturday night and had seating in the back where the retractable roof is. It was so beautiful and romantic; with the night sky and the exuberant amount of flowers and candles everywhere. It was starting to rain lightly tho so they had to close the roof halfway through my meal. We had a great waiter who really knew his stuff and made delicious suggestions. Of course we had to get the paella everyone was raving about. We also wanted to get the porcellena and a few tapas. But the waiter suggested that 2 main courses plus tapas was too much. So we decided to just get the paella and then we ordered the fried artichokes and a pork belly dish from the tapas menu. My boyfriend is not a big fan of artichokes but the fried artichokes with what seemed like a spicy mayo was to die for. He wanted more. The crispy pork belly was good too. The paella didn't take that long to arrive and it was amazing. It wasn't salty and the seafood was fresh. The chicken was kind if dry but you can't really expect much from chicken. Had flan and expresso for dessert which was also delicious. All in all a wonderful experience. A great place to have a romantic dinner date. The food was great and the staff was efficient and nonintrusive. read more

Arriving at Salinas and dealing with the two hostesses made me want to turn around and leave. I think restaurants forget (no matter how small they are) it is important to have people at the front that can effectively communicate. While I waited for my dining partner, I was shuffled around the front area. It is nice to provide a place for diners to await to sit however this area needs to be revamped by an interior designer. It is extremely small and I think it seats about 20 people. We were seated within a reasonable amount of time and the inside was very pretty. We really enjoyed our meal which made up for the initial 20 minutes. I highly recommend the Gambas al Ajillo - I could have eaten a full plate of this Bacaloa en Costra - perfect for sharing. Ceviche Cavario - YUM! Patatas Bravas were a little saucy for my taste but were ok. read more

This place is a gem in Chelsea! It is totally gorgeous inside, the decor, the paintings, the flowers and the little back yard they have. It's absolutely great for a date night and for girly get togethers. The food was great too. We had the pork belly, octopus, and tuna toro. I would say the tuna toro is alright, but the the other two dishes was very good. Then we had the paella and the squid ink vermicelli- both are incredible, especially the grilled seafood that came with the paella. We had crispy potato and eggplant on the side - the crispy potato is a must have, you cant stop eating it after the first bite. Everything was fairly priced and carefully prepared and beautifully presented! I would definitely pay more for this great ambience, service and food. Absolutely a pleasant visit and would definitely visit again! read more

Why Come Here? Cute back garden/fireplace area, some excellent cocktails, eat tapas with the MePa crowd Salinas has received a lot of hype as a hot new tapas spot, so we were excited to finally check it out one Friday night. The space is cool, especially the backroom which comes complete with fireplace and retractable roof. It's everything you'd expect from a Meatpacking District restaurant in that regard. Unfortunately, it's also everything you'd expect in terms of the crowd, service and food. We started off by waiting for 45 minutes despite having a reservation. This did give us a chance to enjoy some excellent cocktails, however it would have been nice to see them comped given the wait. Strike one. Our table was in the back area, which does feature a cozy fireplace and a retractable roof that would be enjoyable on a summer's day. However, it wasn't summer. It was January. And they decided to open the roof to "cool things down." It was very unpleasant especially since we were sitting under the opened part. It took repeated requests from my girlfriend and other patrons before they finally closed it back up. Even excluding that, the service was inattentive at best. Strike 2. Now onto the food, or Strike 3 as I call it. Not terrible, but certainly not worth the praise. Here's what we ordered: Manzana de la Mancha (cachaca, cider, lemon & elderflower liquor) - This cocktail was the highlight of the evening. Sweet, sour and bitter, it's definitely worth it if your friends drag you here. Katherine - who ordered it - gave it 4 stars. Coles y Color (Fried Brussels Sprouts and Cauliflower)- It's funny that brussels sprouts is the first ingredient here because it's mostly cauliflower with a couple sprouts. If that's what you're up for, there are some interesting enough flavors. Crujientes Mahones - A lot of critics talked this one up so I felt we had to give it a try. You basically get a big, hollow piece of bread with cheese and honey on top. The pieces with the cheese are very good, but it's kind of hard to eat as the bread just breaks apart when you try to cut it. And the pieces without cheese are just bread crust. Pulpo (poached octopus) - Not sure what happened here as it's another critically acclaimed dish. However, the octopus was mushy and bland. The only flavors that came through were potato and a little bit of the paprika. We didn't finish it. Rosejat Rapida ** - This is the signature dish at Salinas and it is actually quite good, although a little heavy on the salt. The saffron flavors really come through, but the different textures keep it interesting. read more

Salinas is a hidden gem tucked away into the vibrant neighborhood of Chelsea serving wonderful Spanish cuisine in an elegant, rosy atmosphere. It's a spot that truly sets a romantic mood and thus is a popular spot for couples. Service: 4.5/5 The sommelier was jubilant and made a great suggestion for our food. The waitress was patient and made excellent suggestions to expand our palate Though I didn't feel rushed, I didn't feel like I had to wait for service either. Food: 4/5 The food is certainly very good but quality varies. Among the best items on the menu are the Pork Belly and the Iberico (which we paired with manchego). The iberico (24 month dry aged) melts in your mouth and paired with manchego and a chipotle pepper sauce, it is divine. We also had the pulpos which was cooked perfectly but underseasoned, and the Fideos Negros and a squid ink pasta were interesting but not awe inspiring. Atmosphere: 5/5 Roses shipped from Ecuador that cost $15 for them to replace (so careful with the flowers) really enchant the interior. The garden seating is popular and it's not hard to see why. The suede royal blue cushioned seats, dark wood decor, wine bottles lining the wall, and the open roof is a one of a kind experience Overall: 4.5/5 The bill came out to $250, which is almost worth it but not quite. Salinas does not disappoint and is definitely worth a visit if you're around the Chelsea neighborhood. read more

Stopped here for a work dinner - turned out to be more of a date night place than that! A dark, flowery decor (don't take the flowers, they'll charge you $15 for the imported petals, apparently) well-suited to taking out your loved one - not quite a good dinner spot for business. Still, was here to enjoy some tapas and wine, and in both they had some good and less enjoyed pieces. The tapas & dishes we tried: - Boquerones were spectacular - marinated white anchovies on toast and gaucamole. Tasty and sour, a perfect starter. - Cana Al Horno - Murcian goat cheese - wasn't too enthralled about this one, but my coworker liked it. - Pulpo - seared octopus with a crushed popcorn (yes!) cover, it was tasty, but too small a dish - Plato Charcutero - with some spicy, some fatty, and all-around delicious selection of cuts; the eggplant-fig compote was mostly fig (eggplant you couldn't taste at all). - Pimentos - Shishito peppers done right, just salty enough without being overwhelming and grilled just so that the aroma comes out - Pescado - We tried the fish of the day - Turbot flown in off the coast of Spain/France (they didn't give a clear description - somewhere between France & that Basque region of Spain - Chuleton Para Dos - The Ribeye (an eye-popping $120) for two was so-so - they precut the meat before they brought it out and it came with a separate side of all the toppings to add on, but my recommendation is if you're going to drop that much for a steak, go to a steakhouse, this was only so-so for a ribeye. - Hazelnut gelato - perfect end to the meal. But! One last item came out - there was a complementary rosemary-infused vodka at the end for everyone, but it made our stomachs queasy, not sure why but we all had a similar reaction. Service was pleasant and liked to banter, but it was slow with water and wine. We ended up pouring ourselves most of the night - the server was busy serving a large number of other tables. Overall, a nice place - we stayed late and the owner popped by (a Dan or Dave?) and asked us how we were doing. Overall a decent set of dishes, the random cocktail at the end was the odd disappointment. read more

The food is above average at Salinas, but like all things in Chelsea, except there to be little portions, as well as expensive prices. Well, not too little. I was full here, but after a full 3 course- (which I rationalized because of my hard work week thus far). I'd say thinking overall, I am being a bit generous- it's probably a 3.5 star. My gf and I came here for an early dinner on Wed at 6- when they open. But, we arrived at some 6:02 and wasn't seated until like...6:15.. which was annoying. This is on NY time, not Spanish time where everything takes 2 hours! (more on this later). It was easy to make a rez- maybe it was the timing? 6pm is early for a Wed. The place started filling up madly around 7 or so. We were there from 6:15-8, which is kind of long..just in general, the service was slow. Our waiter was super nice though; very knowledge. Very prompt, polite, good with refilling water, and didn't pressure us at all. He knew when I asked for the sea salted peppers (a common tapa), that it was pimientros de padros (under apps, not the sides, like I thought). The menu is divided between tapas, mains, starters (salads), etc. I came here and dragged my friend because I wanted to try the TONY's Rosejat, which was on the 100 Best Dishes. (They had a lot of specials too, though, mind you). Before I get to that, I should say the pimentos (peppers), were really, really good. But not AS good as my all time fav, Tia Pol. They had the right amount of salt, oil, and natural flavors- but I guess they weren't as salted (flattened) as I would have liked. They came out fast. $9. Also- a quick note on the bread basket. The sliced baguette is pretty anemic, but it comes with a nice gourmet aioli that has cauliflower in it.. or olive? Something green. I forgot already but this was overall a bit bland. Don't ask for seconds. My friend and I both got the Rosejat. The way I would describe it....is like paella, but with short, noodles. Strange, I know. Apparently, it's straight up for the Catalon region. The noodles are short, spaghetti noodles, with some almost uncooked dry, parts. Came with the most excellent chorizo bits (very salty and yummy- almost like pancetta?), tender chicken bits (which were a bit eh in taste), and some small clams with white beans. Clams are clams. They had a more sharp taste of (clams, seafood) than most clams-- they were very fresh. The presentation of the dish was very beautiful. The side had some kind of aioli (?) creme..? This was mayo- tasting and pretty good. By far, what makes the dish though are the noodles and the chorizo. $24 (and mind you, yes the dish is small, but filling enough for us small people) At the end, we shared a dessert.. the warm chocolate cake, which was a lava cake. It was very moist, and very good- baked to perfection. What I think made this, was the banana froth (semi freddo?) in the middle. There's also a blackberry compote on the side- I guess for those who want tart. This didn't go, I thought. Dessert was pricey at $10. Decor is very beautiful. There are some plants as to note a "garden" and lots of dim, sexy lighting. Don't be fooled by the entrance/bar area, which looks small- there's a big dining room in the back, rather with cramped tables. .Would I come back? Nah. The dish was not orgasmic, and I tired of shee shee Chelsea places that cost $40 bucks a person. read more

First thing I noticed even before we sat down was the ambiance. The restaurant has a smaller seating area in the front that looks like a miniature hotel lobby/bar. I thought to myself, "wow, this is a pretty small restaurant..." but no. When you are led to the back dining area, you realize the place is actually pretty spacious and gorgeously decorated. We were seated promptly at a corner booth on a Saturday night. At the corner booth, I noticed that the walls are decorated with books that one might find at a home library. The overall vibe of the back dining area is classy but also welcoming-- almost makes you feel like you're dining at your very rich and cool uncle's home... who happens to be an architect and is married to an interior designer. For appetizer, we ordered couple tapas: Queso al Horno (baked Spanish goat cheese, spicy tomato sofrito, & Spanish toast) and Codorniz Con Membrillo (crispy quail wrapped with bacon, pan seared quince, green onions, mushrooms, & rioja balsamico) Both plates were delicious-- I couldn't help but eat all the bread with the goat cheese dish despite not wanting to fill up my stomach before the entree. For entree: I got Bacalao con Pulpo Y Alcachofas (House cured Atlantic cod fish, pan seared Galician octopus, cockles, sweet potatoes, artichokes, & Txakoli-parsley broth). The fish just melted in my mouth-- although I thought it was a bit on the salty side. My boyfriend got the meal portion of Fideos De Cordero (Fideos pasta, braised lamb shank, wild mushrooms, seasonal greens & goat cheese aioli). I only tried a bite of his but he seemed to really like it. Dessert: we shared Blanco Y Negro (white chocolate bizcocho, bittersweet chocolate custard, Manchego emulsion, bread tuile & olive oil). Such an interesting combination of textures and flavors. I really love the salty and savory components of this dessert-- they complemented the traditional chocolate custard really well. I also tried one of their cocktails-- the name is escaping me right now and it must've been a new one because it's not listed in their online drink menu. They had so many interesting sounding ones I couldn't resist. Overall: awesome ambiance-- quiet & grown up. I can't think of a better date restaurant. Delicious food & perfect portions. Attentive and informative staff. Interesting play of texture in every dish we tried (good balance of soft and crunchy) Everything on the menu seemed worthy of trying. I definitely plan on going back to try more cocktails & rest of the items on the menu. I'm especially excited for the garden in the back with the fireplace & removable ceiling in the summertime... read more

I worked here when it opened. I am out of the food service industry now and own my own business. However, I still crave this food as much as any restaurant I worked at including some Michelin starred ones. I think this one is better than many Michelin restaurants. Bottom line is the Chef is sooooo good. And every dish there is prepared so well. The suckling pig is ridiculous (good). That being said, working there was very difficult due to issues with management and poor support staff. I think they broke more glasses than we even used! Hope they ironed that out. But that does not effect the food quality one bit. I hope they stay around forever!!! Oh, fantastic for groups!! read more

I have had an unbearably horrible experience at this place. The front door receptionist and supervisor were arrogant, condescending. The food was mediocre. We booked on Resy and arrived and they said they couldn't see our booking; without any investigation they immediately and intuitively accused us for forgetting to confirm; we showed our confirmation text and they said it must had been that we didn't confirm on time; we then showed them our text message time and they switched to blaming that the Resy system cancelled it so there's nothing they could do. We then were asked to sit and order first at bar and promised would be moved to a table when any opening poped up. We waited for an hour or so and ordered and then went out to check if there's any no-shows. We literally saw three people just walked by and asked if they had table for walk-in and got seated. We asked why they had table for walk in but didn't seat us and they said it was because they were three people and we were only two and the table could only be seated for three people. What type of unreasonable nonsense is this? Later when the food came we went out to check last time for availability and the supervisor simply started LYING by saying everyone had reservations and they hadn't accommodated any walkins. They were super impatient, impolite, and condescending, cutting us off and not offering any help or service. We ended up having our dinner at bar. If you didn't intend to seat us first place you shouldn't have asked us to wait at bar and order. Please be prepared to be treated rudely and as if you were begging to visit their place by the snobbish hosts: they were too busy flattering and fawning on swanky ppl and think they are doing you a mercy by allowing you in. read more

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Salinas and there team did an absolute amazing job assisting with my proposal! They were very accommodating and selected the best seats in the establishment for my fiancé and I right in front of a fireplace towards the back. From the front hostess to the owner, (who filmed our everlasting moment), they were the most amiable towards us. She said Yes! read more

Really, really one of the best dinners I've ever had in Manhattan. I don't even know how I'm going to eat tomorrow after all the deliciousness inside my mouth tonight. Baked goat cheese tapas? So good our (AWESOME) waitress Meredith brought over more bread so I could lick the cheese bowl clean (I keep it classy). Squid vermicelli tapas? Artfully mixed at the table and tastes like the most heavenly noodle dish on Earth. HEAVEN. Now, let's talk entrees. The cod-octopus-clam-artichoke masterpiece needs to be tried by everyone in NYC. You're vegan? Doesn't matter- this is worth breaking your moral code for. And okay- the chef's recommendation, some pork-sausage-bean-pearl-onion fantasy? Fan-frggin-tastic. My foodie friend and I ate this dish in complete silence just "taking it in". Also- the second cocktail on the menu, Roja-something is legit the most interesting cocktail I've ever tried. It's super smoky tasting. If every restaurant in NYC were half as good as this one I would be 400 pounds. I love you, Salinas. read more

Salinas inspires a whole range of intense emotions. Fear, because you're nearly 15 minutes late and you know they will give your table away (like they did the last time). So you run in anxiously, and see your friend sitting right by the doorway, patiently waiting with a smile. You hug her quickly as she stands up and speaks to the hostess in one sophisticated swoop. TaDa! You've made it just before the buzzer. Joy, because the glorious main dining room feels like an airbrushed still when you walk to your table. Still catching your breath from the "walk" from the subway, you immediately notice elegant bouquets of pink and white roses and tall candles and other pretty stuff in the middle of the room. And because the food, though salty in some areas (probably your own fault for ordering both appetizer and entrée that contained Murcian cheese), is just above decent, somewhat justifying the steep price that you know you'll pay. Love, because as the meal comes to an end, you realize you've enjoyed everything, especially the chocolate and pistachios dessert: the epitome of a molten chocolate cake with homemade pistachio gelato. What is there not to love? Jealousy, because as you're leaving, you find yourself staring at the anxious people, packed in the sexily decorated modern lounge waiting to uncover Salinas' riches. You force a smile, as you remember the gracious owner sincerely thanking you for coming. read more

OK.... so this outside of the box tapas restaurant totally blew me away... far surpassed my expectations, and I'm itching to go back again soon. Story goes like this... I had this spot bookmarked for about a year for the reason that the back garden looked beautiful (and in reality, it was!), but little did I know that I was in for one of the best treats of the year! A friend of mine invited us to dinner and everything -- ambiance, food, service -- totally blew me away. I think this is maybe the best meal I've had this year in NY. The ambiance - this is easily the most romantically perfect restaurant in the city - there are beautiful, soft colored roses and flowers EVERYWHERE, it feels like you are eating in a private garden terrace. You can tell that so much love and care is put into the flower arrangements (actually, we discovered the owner's wife is the mastermind behind this). There are candles everywhere as well, and overall the ambiance is just right for a romantic dinner. The arrangement of the tables and the flowers also is very conducive to feeling like there is a divide between many of tables, and it's always good to feel like we aren't sitting on top of the next people! We had the patatas bravas (defnitiely better than the average), the crispy quail wrapped with bacon (flavorful and crispy), and the black squid ink pasta... which totally changed my world. I really loved how original the menu was, it encorporated elements of traditional spanish cooking, but with refreshing and unique additions that really made the menu feel special. I highly, highly recommend! read more

While the front of the house staff was professional and pleasant, and the decor was lovely (the flowers are really stunning), the meal itself was not good. We ordered the bass (which was ok) and the octopus bomba rice (terrible). The rice dish came with a small octopus leg (about the size of a small fingerling potato). The octopus was charred, tough, tiny and bad. Given that it takes 40 minutes to prepare this dish, I was amazed that this would be the result. The rice itself had literally nothing in it, maybe a few pieces of wilted mushrooms. And the only flavor imbued in the rice was the char from I presume the paella pan it was cooked in, and salt, salt and more salt. At $28 for this single entree, this really was a poor offering. Avoid this place. read more

From the outside, Salinas looks pretty mundane, but upon entering it's nothing short of breath taking. Dimly lit and flooded with Ecuadorian roses, makes the place smell flagrant and super date friendly. They have a small bar/lounge area at the entrance, where you can get cocktails or choose from a selection of wine. Then moving towards the back they have a beautiful dining area, lit with candles and surrounded by more roses. Small, intimate lounge seating, so you can cozy up to your date for the night. They have quite a delicious food menu, most of it intended for sharing. We started off with the pork belly, which was perfect ratio of melt in your mouth soft and crispy. The free range chicken was perfectly cooked and full of beautiful flavor and seasoning. And lastly the caramelized rice pudding was fruity and not over poweringly sweet, for those who aren't too big on sweets, it's a safe and tasty bet! Would definitely recommend going and have every intention of going back. If any of you were as intrigued by their roses as I was.. they do sell them $15 a pop. As beautiful as they are, I personally don't think it's worth it. Either way, Salinas does not disappoint! read more

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Very good but very expensive. Definitely a place to take the parents when they're in town. Their pulpo coated in popcorn crust is a must. We also loved their black rice and ~fancy~ gin and tonics made at the table. Be sure to take in the beautiful flowers they bring in every week! read more

Walking into Salinas at 6 right as they opened with reservation in hand, the first thing you notice is the excellent atmosphere. The lighting is dark enough to create a sense of bashful intimacy, but not dark enough for you to lose sight of the food, the elegant decor, or the beautiful white and rouge roses decorating the tables and aisles. After being escorted to a comfortable seat in a corner, we had ordered the sangria, which was chilled with iced fruit cubes and tastes pretty damn good. Excuse the language but I also only use the "D" word to describe truly excellent alcohol. For appetizers we had the multicolored cauliflower, which not only tastes crunchily delicious, but looks exquisite as well. For main course, we had the spanish rice for share, which comes with assorted seafood including a large prawn and friend oysters on a stick. The oysters were fried to just the right mix of tender and crispy. the rice felt a bit overdone, but I havent had been to Spain since I was 9 and I dont know if thats just the way they do it over there. Overall, the food felt very satisfying. The ice cream dessert was not bad either. This is just what I had expected for a high-class dining experience at the heart of the world's greatest city, and I could bring myself to give it nothing less than full 5 out of 5. read more

Truly one of my favorite restaurants I've ever been to in Chelsea. Upscale tapas bar and restaurant. The only problem is everything looks good. We got most of the small plates and everything was amazing. They had a sardine special that was raw sardines over olive oil toast with manchego pearls on top that was one of the best things I've ever eaten, but literally not one thing disappointed. I will be going back to try more. I've heard the steak they have is actually amazing, and saw someone nearby get it, and it did look pretty fantastic. Their cocktails are also just about as good as they come. Worth the splurge for sure. The atmosphere inside is also enough to get me back there. It's dark, but with warm low light and plush fabrics, and when it's good weather, they roll the roof to the side and the back is just open air with plants visible, it's gorgeous. Do yourself a favor. read more

If I could give this restaurant more than 5 stars, I would in a heartbeat. The bar area up front feels cool and swanky like a lounge and their signature cocktails are definitely worth trying, in particular the Commandante. Once we were seated in the dining room, I instantly felt like I was just having dinner in someone's living/dining room - it's a comfortable, dimly lit space, perfect for a romantic evening with your significant other or an intimate dinner with family/friends. My boyfriend put it best - "each course was an experience in itself" - and he was right. The tapas, entrees, and dessert - each plate was packed with flavor, so masterfully designed and arranged that I was physically willing my stomach to grow larger just so I could wipe my plate clean. Despite a busy Thursday evening, not once did we feel ignored or forgotten by Liza or any other wait staff. Donald, the owner, even took the time to show us around the garden area and we can't wait to come back and eat al fresco when the weather gets warmer. This is by far the longest review I've written on Yelp, but it's because I truly feel Salinas deserves it. This little Chelsea treasure has quickly become one of my favorite restaurants in NYC. I can't wait to come back for more! read more

I had a beautiful evening last night with my boyfriend here. We arrived a little late (15mins) for our 6pm reservation but the place was still fairly empty and we were accommodated right away. This seems to be a good time to come with reservations as there are not many people here and you can enjoy the decor and place more intimately. Our waiter was very informative and friendly and helped us choose the following for the night: White Sangria Razor Clams-the special appetizer of the night Negros y Crujientes (appetizer portion) Popcorn Octopus Suckling pig-the special entree of the night Rice pudding I must say our meal was spectacular. The white sangria was delicious and you can't really taste alcohol that much, but don't let that fool you! There is alcohol in there! Although a pitcher is pricey, it was worth getting and sharing. The Razor Clams were succulent and cooked perfectly. The added breadcrumbs on top were such a great texture contrast! The negros y crujientes...this was one of my favorites of the night! I really wanted to try it after seeing it on the menu as I've had this dish when I was in Barcelona and remembered loving it. Salinas did not disappoint! It reminded me of when I ate it back in Spain. It is little pieces of noodles in a black squid ink sauce with aioli sauce to mix in with pieces of tender squid. It is a very unique dish for those who haven't tried it--I highly recommend! The popcorn octopus was something I wanted to try after reading about it in so many reviews. It was very good, and now I can say I tasted it. However, I wouldn't say it is a must eat. The suckling pig for our main entree was a real treat. It takes around 45mins to cook so it was nice to have all those tapas to eat while waiting. The pig was juicy, tender, with an outrageously crispy skin. It is served with roasted vegetables and a side salad. Our waiter recommended we get that instead of the paella as this item is not always available. They get the pig from Miami. For dessert we shared a rice pudding which exceeded expectations. I'm not a huge fan of rice pudding, but I finished the last drop of this one! Overall, great service from the hostess to the waiter and all the staff. A beautiful evening in a beautiful venue filled with roses everywhere. It's definitely somewhere to take a special someone~ read more

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We had an awesome experience here and I can't wait to come back! First of all, the Decor in this place is gorgeous! I haven't seen many restaurants that invest so much in beautiful fresh flowers! The place is very cool, kinda dim with lots of candles everywhere- I went with a friend but its definitely a great place for a hot date :) the food was excellent! I am a big fan of tapas and everything we tried was just phenomenal! We had the fried artichokes, patatas Bravas, the pica pica (which was basically bread that came with a few dippers ) and one of the rice dishes which was basically a Spanish paella full of goodness :) The dessert we had was great too, to be honest from the description it sounded like a weird combination of things (white chocolate muffin with cheese, bread with olive oil and chocolate mixed together) but these guys really know what they are doing when it comes to food! Can't wait to go back and try everything else on the menu! read more

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THAT'S RICH!!! Whoa, I think I have the gout after 1 meal here. There's a lot to love about this charming Chelsea Mediterranean joint. Very unassuming from the outside, you walk in to be greeted by the hostess with a small bar and lounge area to your left. Looked like a great spot to have some quiet drinks and shared plates with a date. The inside of Salinas reminded me of India which I think was a combination of the decor and the smell. It definitely doesn't give you the Mediterranean vibe that you would expect. Our party was 4 so we headed back to the first dining area where we were seated in a round velvet booth. Looked like the best seat in the house though the velvet could bring on some swass if sat in too long. While waiting for one of our party we had a couple glasses of wine. Pretty limited menu by the glass and a little pricey from around $14-$18 but the wines were all good. Service was friendly and I even got a top off on my glass as the bottle was running out. This is something that all restaurants should do but don't, so it was noticed here. Then the food started coming out and the gout started to kick in. Oh man. I know we ordered a lot of rich dishes but even the items that you wouldn't expect to be super savory we're very strong flavored, namely the arroz de pulpo (rice with octo). This came towards the end and was a little too much to take down at that point. I ate it for leftovers the next night however and really enjoyed it. The jamon's were excellent, especially the serrano (Iberico is always excellent). How can you not order these when eating tapas? Other notable dishes were the quail wrapped in bacon and the Foie Gras. Both salty and sweet, these are two must order items. Overall, I enjoyed my meal here very much but it was definitely a little pricy, hence the 3 stars. A very wide menu selection offers something for everyone and more. read more

Salinas=WOW. I seldom come to this part of Chelsea, and was surprised to see how many restaurants there were to choose from on this part of 9th Ave. Luckily for us, we found Salinas in advance and made a reservation for 2 people. Upon entering, the hostess greeted us and offered to take our coats so we would could be more comfortable. She then lead us down a dimly lit hallway to the most beautiful restaurant I have seen in a while. The restaurant features a bar when you first walk in, and then down the hall a main dining area, and then a library feel lounge area with a garden that opens when the weather is warmer. We sat in the main dining area, which I was more than pleased with. The room was dark and sensual with rock walls and beautiful flower arrangements placed throughout the space. There was a wonderful mix of young beautiful people and spunky elders enjoying the vibe. After we were seated our server Alden(sp) greeted us immediately, asking if we have dined with them before. He then proceeded to tell us about the restaurant, and their menu/ specials. All of their seafood is flown in from Spain, and after enjoying my meal made me want to book a vacation to check out what else Spain has to offer my taste buds. Salinas' tapas menu is the best I have seen yet. They have an impressive selection that will satisfy the carnivore and vegetarian in every relationship or group. We started with the Pimentos Del Padron, which was shishito peppers with sea salt. These peppers were the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and salty. I woke up this morning craving more. For $10, they provide you with the perfect portion. Next, we had the Gambas Al Ajillo. I recommend this plate highly. It was "baby" shrimp sauteed with mushrooms, white wine, and garlic, paired with a toasted crostini. My mouth is watering while describing this plate- it was that good. Last, we tried the featured tapas. I do not recall the name, but it was a avocado puree inside of a ravioli like shell topped with chorizo. This is not a regular dish, so if you are lucky enough to be present on a night is featured I would recommend giving it a chance. It was not what I expected, and was very impressed with the unique flavor. I will be coming back with a larger group of friends to try more of what they have to offer on their tapas menu. For our entrees we decided to stick with seafood. This was a great decision. I do not recall the exact name, but I ordered the Hake. This was complimented with grilled octopus, artichoke, little neck clams, and small diced purple potatoes. I believe this dish replaced the Bacalao Con Pulpo Y Alcachofas, which featured cod. This dish was light, but extremely filling. I was very impressed with the way they prepared the octopus. I do not fancy octopus, as it tends to be slimy and weird looking, but Salinas did an amazing job! It was grilled perfectly, and slightly blackened. I think I found a new favorite food!. My boyfriend ordered the Pescado Del Dia, which featured sea bass topped with clams, blackened scallops, and paprika (YUM). This dish was paired with a potato, peppers, and mushrooms. I did not try any of the bass, but it looked delicious and I trust my boyfriend's empty plate thought so as well. I did try a scallop, and it was perfectly prepared. We did not get a desert, but ordered a second round of our amazing drinks instead. We ordered the La Mora (bourbon, fresh blackberries, basil, black pepper syrup, and lime) and the New Amsterdam (Knob Creek infused with white pear, black fig, and spice.) For about $14 a drink these delivered. We would have been fine with just one drink each (they were very strong in a classy way) but I am greedy and always go for seconds! Next time I visit, I would definitely like the option to sit in the garden area- although the whole restaurant is fabulous. I recommend bringing someone here you want to impress. The experience was very personal, and they treated every guest like a VIP. The staff is alert and the Chef is extremely talented. I plan on coming back in the near future! read more

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I used to say that the best meal I'd ever had in NYC was in 2009 when I tried the chilean sea bass at Morimoto. I have to say now that it was last night at Salinas. Truly a mind-blowing culinary experience. First of all, the decor is beautiful and chic and romantic yet edgy and hip. All at once. I loved the atmosphere a lot. I started with a drink at the bar while I waited for my friend to arrive. The drink was the Cava Blanca. Delicious drink made of prosecco, vodka, grapes and other goodness. it's a dangerous drink because it's sweet and tart and I could have downed the drink like a glass of juice. After my friend arrived, we both tried another drink - the name of which escapes me - which has a hint of jalepeno and a robust smokey flavor. It was incredible. Salinas' mixologist is incredibly talented and you can tell there is a science and method to his madness. Our meal. Amazing. Honestly, it was art. Not even in presentation but truly in the way the flavors come together. The best way to explain the food at Salinas is thoughtful. Everything is well thought out. Each flavor combination and accompaniment is clearly tried and tested for the perfect balance of taste and texture. We started with the Codorniz Con Membrillo (crispy quail wrapped in bacon - with seared apples and onions and mushrooms and the most incredible flavors possible). Needless to say, we were indulging, and it paid off. This dish was fantastic. We also asked our server for a recommendation on a second small dish to start with and she suggested the Brandada y Hogos which is codfish brandada (so, a spread of sorts) with wild mushrooms on a wonderful olive oil toast. The recommendation was wonderful because these were incredible. Who would have though that a spread made of codfish would be such a hit! For entrees I got cod fish with octopus, cockles, potatoes, and artichokes. It was perfect. The fish was cooked to perfection. Not overly "fishy" and wonderfully flaky yet still moist. My friend got the chef's suggestion which was goat stuffed with sausage (I might be getting this wrong because I don't remember the exact description). It was accompanied and topped with more yummy goodness. I know pomegranate reduction was involved. Either way, I could have eaten that dish forever. Thank god my friend is a great sharer! We also tried (because we're gluttonous) the Tostas De Boqueron (dont fear the anchovies, they add such a great saltiness to the avocado and toast), the Queso Al Horno (needless to say, amazing - as goat cheese tends to be), and the pumpkin & chicken soup (perfect addition to our meal in this cold weather). I also must say that the service was also impeccable. From the mixologist to the hostess to the owner, everyone was friendly and welcoming. Our server was great as well. She was very knowledgeable. She clearly know and loved all of the menu and understood why certain things were paired the way they were paired. It's so great to have such an informed server who can guide you to making the right choices - especially when so many things on the menu sound fantastic. It is clear that everyone, especially the owner who has so much love for his restaurant, enjoys what they do and puts that enjoyment into their work. The finished product is incredible. I will be back. read more

One of the first things I noticed about Salinas when I first visited was the unique decor. The restaurant is divided into three parts, the bar/waiting area in the front, the main dining area in the middle and the outdoor sitting (with retractable roof and a fireplace) in the back. Going to Salinas is ideal for going out on a romantic date. The main dining area is dimly lit with one of the walls consisting a bookshelf. Paired with the music, it is easy to become comfortable and enjoy the company of your date. The staff were all really prompt and attentive and were able to explain in detail everything that was on the menu. read more

I came here after confirming the dateworthiness and romantic ambience from trusted female friends. It is indeed a very intimate venue, with excellent and attentive service. To be honest, my date and I were so engrossed in conversation that I only vaguely remember what I was putting in my mouth (not to be taken out of context). From what I can remember, between bouts of prolonged eye contact and laughter, the fresh flowers arrangements were astoundingly well-arranged, and the octopus dish would have been heavenly, if I weren't already completely distracted by the angel in front of me. We ended up talking for the majority of our time there, only pausing to eat enough so that the staff would stop trying to clean up our plates. This review cum diary entry is likely utterly useless when making a decision based on palatability of food. But you should come here if you're in the mood for all the feels. Maybe we would have been mutually smitten at any restaurant. But I'll give Salinas the benefit of the doubt. read more

The food was amazing. The decor dark, sexy, illuminated by romantic bouquets of roses. However, somehow we got stuck in a really bad time and waited almost an hour for our food. PS- the bar only seats 5...don't bank on having before/after dinner cocktails comfortably...Besides there's this skinny, crazy curly haired, male bartender who is super annoying. read more

Im sorry. Anyone who wasted time writing about the decor, or ambiance or hostess stand is just plain wrong. When the food tastes this good, you should be happy to get a seat and good service. The pork belly appetizer - stunning, The main courses to focus on; suckling pig or paella are simply outstanding. We were a table of four large men and as soon as the first suckling pig arrived at the table, we ordered a second, aware that we were likely to wait an additional 35-40 minutes. The seafood in the paella was as tender and succulent as any Ive ordered, as good as on the beaches in Nerja, Spain. I am tempted to take away a half star because of the unsatisfying charcuterie plate, but that was made up for by some complimentary short rib croquettes sent out by the chef. Despite the rather pedestrian $55 Sangria pitcher, this was a fantastic dining experience. read more

Salinas - Spanish Near Me - New York, New York

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Two of my colleagues and I came here last Wednesday night for a final dinner in New York. We picked it because it looks so pretty in pictures and it is! As well as kind of romantic. I'm sure the rain beating down on the roof added to that as well. But we laughed about it and had a great time. Their specialty cocktails (at least the two we got) weren't very good but the wine was tasty. Definitely stick with the wine. Our appetizers were really good. Manchego cheese is my favorite so that was a must. The blood sausage and beets were also tasty. For dinner we each got a paella & with all the seafood oils in many of them I was only able to get the vegetarian one but it was good. The real winner here though was the DESSERT! Oh my heaven! We ordered three to share and bread pudding and chocolate pistachio. Very cute little place and we had a great time. read more

I had lofty expectations of Salinas after reading the NYT article comparing chef Luis Bollo's style of cooking to that of Jose Andres. The food was good but it fell short of my expectations. Came here with a group of 4 and we got: TAPAS: Coles Y Coliflor (brussel sprout & cauliflower) Pimientos Del Padron (shishito peppers) Gambas Al Ajo Fresco (sauteed shrimp) Trio Charcutero (chorizo, sausage & loin) MAINS: Paella Mixta for two Porcella (suckling pig) SIDE: Patatas Bravas (crispy potatoes) DESSERT: Tres Chocolates It's telling that the most memorable dishes were the side and the sauce from the sautéed shrimp. The paella was decent enough but pretty standard. My biggest disappointment was the suckling pig - I expected the meat to be juicier and the skin to be crispier. Maybe I got a bad piece but I had a quarter of the dish and the meat was on the dry side. The tres chocolates to end the meal was pretty awesome. For drinks, we ordered two pitchers of Sangria. It was well made but I have to question how they came up with a price of $60 for a pitcher. Overall, the experience was good. I liked the layout of the restaurant and they have a nice outdoor space at the back. The service started out well but it got shoddy as they got busier. Our total bill was about $385 with tax and tip. At almost $100 pp I expect flawless service and amazing food but what we got was mediocre service and slightly above average food - definitely not worth the price. read more

If you read my reviews (which you should), you know I am hardly swayed just by the ambieance etc. However, Salinas can be a nice exception- well given that the food is at least decent of course Typical narrow entrance of an NYC joint leads to a spacious bar area and an even more impressive main dining room. The ratracable roof eminates dim, creamy lights over the entire area, not to mention the fireplace, the rosey-toned flower arrangements, and the sleek lightening fixtures throughout. FOOD- pleasantly surprised! 2 recommendations: 1) the Vermicelli with squid ink lived up to the hype. It's actually a bit of a DIY to mix all the ingredients together Portion was generous for a tapas place 2) Foie Gras very unique execution- a crispy layer of creme brulee ensures that tid bit of sweetness in a good foie gras dish. You can also spread the savory jam on top. So bascially you end up with jam- brulee top layer - silky foie gras- crunchy brioche what a thoughtful combination of texture, tastse, and food materials! LOVE LOVE LOVE portion was OK for a tapas place- don't expect the same as a Tocquville entree-sized foie gras, of course DRINKS- hmmm There were hits and misses that night. My G&T was quite strong, which was nice SERVICE - meh the service staff were rushing us a bit- granted it's a busy weekend night, but be aware Salinas, you can be serving an undercover Yelp Elite tonight! Going a bit generous with 4 star here, b/c compared to other tapa places, Salinas definitely wins on many fronts. Keep it up! read more

Situated discretly alongside the posh meatpacking district, this luxurious restaurant sizzles with its distinctive fusion of Spanish and Mediterranean fare. My godbrother and I chose this spot for dinner. Upon entry this place screams swanky hotspot. Our host walked us into the warm dining space. Im swaying to the funky mix of club, house, runway music, rnb pop.. To start the evening we chose sparkling water with lemon. Then our waiter (very attentive - although he never mentioned his name) suggested cocktails! Yay the la Gitana - very girly and refreshing vodka mix. Claudio had the El Comnadante! lol vodka with ginger and other stuff to put hair on your chest - but for some reason, it looked like a mimosa....yes in a champagne glass..Nice! So for dinner we started with tapas of shrimp and garlic something ajillo - tasty. I want to say we had the goat cheese and tomato with toast as well...sorry guys it was good though! entrees - Enter Chef Luis Bollo! with the Porcella for Claudio... bacalao, octopus and cockles for me. Cooked to a tee- mouth watering and full flavored. The octopus was tendre and bacalao was seasoned perfectly to compliment the dish! Claudio says he loved the porcella. (its not a small big on a plate people, just a side) For our dessert - as if I needed any - we shared a blanco y negro...obviously - this was a white chocolate bizchoco, bittersweet chocolate - this cream I cannot identify that tasted sooo good with it. Take people to this place if you want to impress them. Salinas has five star service and a five star food! They even have a room in the back (that I snuck into) has a fireplace and opens up for private dining or in the summertime for everyone. ~s y m p a t i c a I wanted to light an incense in there and snuggle up with a book... PS House music lovers. we spotted Louie Vega having a drink at a table in front on the way out.... read more

My girlfriend and I came in here with no reservation and it seemed like this place was booked, however they found seating for us in the dining room area and it was great! The dining room area was lovely with all the huge Ecuadorian roses, it's definitely a romantic, charming area to dine. Great place to bring a date. The food was absolutely delicious! we had the Crudo tapa which we thought was the best dish and, of course as seafood lovers, we each ordered the Paella which was delicious! The whole restaurant was staring at the dish as it came out! We got so full we didn't order any dessert! As far as drinks we ordered some cocktails and they were very tastey and well made. Overall, not only the food but the customer service there was what helps gives this place 5 stars because they offered us a table at the dining room after we were about to eat in the lounge area, the waiter was excellent giving us information about the food, and the host/hostess were very nice as we entered and left. read more

LOVE LOVE this place. It exceeded my expectations, which is tough to do in NYC! Ambience-- It feels like a real escape from the city, even though it's in the middle of Chelsea. The decor is trendy, chic, comfortable, and inviting (a hard mix to pull off.) The music is relaxing, and you can have a real conversation without the next table commenting on it. There's a back area they can open up... Great space of a classy private party or an intimate date. Food-- I ate so much, and my mouth is still watering. A nice selection of tapas. I had the La Gitana drink which was refreshing and delightful. The fish of the day and herb chicken were prepared perfectly. Juicy with a crispy skin and seasoning that accentuated the flavors of the food instead of covering them. For dessert.. I deeply enjoyed the buneolos. It was the right amount of sweet and tart to cleanse the palate. Highly and exuberantly recommended :) I'm already planning my next visit! read more

This is probably the best Spanish restaurant I've ever been taken to in NYC. The service was amazing and our waitress went above and beyond to cater us. We ordered a bottle of wine (very pricey $150, but worth every penny), popcorn octopus, and steak. We were skeptical about trying the popcorn octopus but were happy we did because we wanted more when we finished it! The steak melted in your mouth and was very savory. At the end of our meal, we received a complimentary dessert (sorbet) and were satisfied. Will definitely be returning to this spot!! read more

Intimate and sexy date spot in Chelsea. The front bar area is a little tiny, so make sure that you make reservations, because this place was pretty full for a Thursday night at 9pm! The bartender up front was friendly, but clearly very busy making drinks for the entire restaurant. She made a mean spicy margarita! For dinner we were seated in the back dining room, which was lively and full of energy. To start we shared the patatas bravas, which were seasoned with the perfect amount of spice and the brussel sprouts with yogurt sauce. Both were amazing and I'd recommend ordering. We also received an extra appetizer on the house - from looking back at the menu I believe it was a variation of a few items - but I recall something with avocado on a multigrain cracker and then two pieces of shimp. For entrees we both had the fish of the day, which was a white flaky fish (the name escapes me at the moment). It was deboned (not a bone in sight) seasoned with garlic and lemon and was really moist and just flaked off with the touch of your fork. I really enjoyed the lemon flavor. For dessert we shared the flan, which I am normally not a fan of but found this to melt in my mouth. After our meal the chef came over to ask us how everything was, which I thought was a very nice of him to do! I would definitely come back. read more

My first thought when walking into this sultry tapas bar in Chelsea was how sexy the decor was - dimly lit with really solid artwork all over the walls & dark featured colors as the staple - great first impression. As a big fan of northern Spanish food, specifically Basque & Catalan, this place really hit the spot in that category. Mucho Gusto. We quickly grabbed a solid Pinot from La Mancha, it was really fruity & our server tossed it on ice for us and never let our glasses get empty, well played Brian. Of all the tapas we had - the Quail legs wrapped in bacon had to be my favorite of them all, it burst into my mouth with all kinds of flavor, this naturally made me smile. Salinas had a buzz about it - every table was enjoying themselves and you could obviously tell. Great food, attentive service, an enjoyable experience. read more

When I think of a 'WOW" experience I've had at a restaurant in NYC, Salinas is ranked at the top of that short list. I was greeted warmly and they were clearly aware of my reservation. It was a freezing cold day and they were happy to pull me into the warm entrance and take my coat prior to seating. Our server immediately came and introduced himself. He was very professional, well-presented, and did a good job of addressing any immediate questions/concerns. He gave us our (beautifully collated) dinner and drink menus and promised to return shortly. The environment was absolutely gorgeous. It really opened up beyond the entrance and was warm, spacious, and beautifully designed. I couldn't believe how large the restaurant turned out to be as I walked through the initial corridor. The owner (Donald) came and visited our table. He was super friendly and obviously very passionate about Salinas. He also let us in on a little secret -- the roof in the backroom opened up in warm weather. How cool is that?! We were also very impressed by the fact that he took the time to stop by and check in. I could see he was touching other tables as well, which is always a nice touch. Very hospitable. The food was absolutely perfect. We enjoyed the Codorniz con Membrillo -- crispy quail eggs wrapped in bacon, Gambas Al Ajillo -- plump, tender shrimp bathed in a wondrous sauce, the fish of the day -- a perfectly cooked and beautifully presented Branzino, and the De Cordero -- fideos pasta with braised lamb shank and a goat cheese aioli. Everything was spot on -- I can't think of any other way to describe it. Delicious. Beautiful. Satisfying. The customer service was world-class. We were tended to in perfect intervals. Never intrusive, always available. Never looked around for our waiter, glasses always topped off, questions answered, and able to enjoy the atmosphere, the food, and the company. Simply put, GO HERE! read more