ABC Cocina

We set out on a sunny but chilly Saturday afternoon to check out Eataly for some soul-warming pasta.  Alas, Eataly on a weekend is as frenetic as Grand Central Station or Macy's on Christmas Eve... in a fraction of the space.  After fighting our way through the crowd only to find out that the wait for a seat at the pasta station would be an hour, we decided to go to Plan B and visit Eataly on a quieter day.  (There's so much to enjoy there, it'd be a waste to try to get the full experience with constant jostling.)

Plan B:  Mel remembered that her coworkers had been raving about ABC Cocina (not to be confused with ABC Kitchen) just a few blocks away.  We had been to this Jean-Georges masterpiece before, but just for cocktails.  So it was nice to be able to try some of their famous tapas.

The decor alone is worth experiencing, with artsy funky chandeliers hanging over minimalist iron tables and chairs.  

The entire staff is extremely attentive to details - arranging each place setting to perfection and moving with efficient grace through the crowded dining area.

We decided to share a few small plates to have a tasty tapas experience. 

We started with the jamon iberico de bellota, which brought our tastebuds back to our time in Spain.

Then came the chipotle chicken tacos with grilled jalapeno salsa (divine!!! - chicken prepared perfectly).

Then the baby calamari stuffed with chorizo (tasty, though we wished the tomatoes had also been warm).

Next, the fried fish tacos: a most delightful sauce, and slivers of tart apple that were a flavor revelation - we will definitely try adding fresh apples next time we have fried fish at home!

Since it was a splurge day, we decided to cool down the savory flavors with a bit of dessert.  

Our server said the passionfruit sundae is like being transported to Hawaii, so that was a no-brainer.  And it was quite refreshing!

And the tres leches cake is one of the best we've ever tried.  Would definitely recommend it.

Though it is a bit pricey (we didn't even touch cocktails because 8 ounces of liquid would have run us at least $15 a pop!), ABC Cocina is a lovely overall dining experience.  When we're in the mood for a low-key afternoon splurge, it will be on our go-to list.