The hostess told me that Salinas had literally revamped their cocktail menu the day before, so I was excited to make a selection from a new list of concoctions. Having worked as a mixologist, I was truly impressed by the range of selections. I was stuck between the "Comandante" (an infusion of Vodka, raw ginger, lemon and Chartreuse) and the "Cilantro Roto" (a suggestion offered by the hostess, featuring Tequila, muddled apples, cilantro and green chili syrup). I decided to go with the "Cilantro Roto."
I took a sip was incredibly delighted. This cocktail was seriously one of the best I've had in New York City in months. It had many levels and layers of complexity, but wasn't overpowering. The flavors developed nicely with each sip, and the best part was the green chili syrup, which balanced and tied together this cocktail perfectly. It developed slowly and was the last note to register, the perfect element that makes the "Roto" stand out. I definitely recommend this cocktail, which is a hybrid of a Caipirinha and Mojito.
I was about half way through my intoxicating cocktail, contemplating a second, when my friend walked through the door. I greeted him, and excitedly handed over the glass,
"You HAVE TO try this!"
He took a sip and was equally impressed, adding that while it wasn't the sort of drink he'd typically order, he appreciated the complexity of flavors and the subtle, green chili kick. The hostess took us to our table, which was located in a gorgeous dining room.
Salinas has an incredible attention to detail, which is something of a rarity today. The ambiance was incredible and we both remarked how this restaurant would be the perfect place for a romantic first date. There were displays of gorgeous pale roses and lilacs; walls had an classic Mediterranean feel because of the limestone brick accents.
The tables were well spaced out and the dining room had plenty of light since it was connected to an outdoor seating area without any obstructions. Even though we were eating indoors, there was an airy and light ambiance due to the well designed space. While Salinas isn't a large restaurant, the way it's decorated and the gorgeous flower arrangements seem to suggest a wider and more open space. I also adored the alcove that was to my left that featured wonderful old books and the stunning blown glass fixtures, reflecting light and creating beautiful reflections. Salinas is not only a feast for your palette, but a feast for your eyes. And, for a girl who adores décor and has traveled and dined extensively in Europe and South America, I appreciated the ambiance.
Salinas is a wonderful spot for conversation, there were many people dining in groups; the atmosphere is elegant, refined, but relaxed and after a long week, I felt very happy and carefree, enjoying the sights and sounds and of course the food.
We were handed a dinner and wine menu by one of the best waiters I've had in a long time. He was incredibly pleasant, charming and good humored. He made an excellent white wine suggestion. We figured,
'It's Friday, and we're on Weekend Rules...' so decadence wasn't spared and waistlines were ignored (at least for one day).
We sipped on the wine, which was light and crisp and had a subtle hint of fruitiness, and caught up, sharing the details of our respective lives, browsing through the list of tapas. Once again there were many great options, so when in doubt, I always ask the waiter for his recommendation (after all, he works there, and 9 times out of 10, waiter's suggestions are phenomenal).
Both being fans of octopus, he suggested the "Pulpo a La Plancha" (seared Galician octopus served on roasted fingerling potatoes, topped with green garlic salsa verde and dried spicy pepper). We made a toast "Salute" to good health and tried the octopus.
The octopus was cooked to perfection. My knife easily cut through it, and it wasn't rubbery or dry like some of the octopus I've tragically tried. It was perhaps my favorite of the three tapas we tried. The potatoes were well seasoned and also perfectly cooked. The green salsa and dried pepper weren't overpowering and were the perfect topping, tying the dish together nicely. My only suggestion would be using slightly less salt, but other than that, the dish was a perfect 10. read more