Salinas

People love to talk about the amazing, once in a lifetime restaurant experiences they have in NYC (i.e. Per Se, Daniel, Brooklyn Fare, etc), but what people fail to mention, is the enormous amount of REALLY GOOD restaurants this wonderful city also has to offer.

Hence I bring you Salinas, unassuming spot off the corner of a quiet Chelsea street, in an area not especially known for their restaurants. Lively bar at the front, retractable roof (!!) over the back end, and homey fireplace. You almost feel like you are sitting in your friends living room. 
Spanish, tapas style food always does it for me. I love that I can order the whole menu and sample many items without it being an overabundance of food. One of my favorites was the Andaluz Gazpacho with local red tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, country bread, sherry vinegar, and evoo. Now I happen for be a sucker for good gazpacho. It's one of those items that if I see it on a menu, I can't not try it. And this one was a winner. Perfect texture, nicely spiced, and just the right bite to it. The Pa Amb Oil with anchovies was pretty good, as was the blistered, salty shishito peppers. The tuna ceviche was nice although not exceptional, but the Patatas Bravas, crispy, spicy and cut small were definitely another winner.
Order a glass of Spanish wine, sit in the back next the fireplace, and enjoy the wonderful service at Salinas. 

Neighborhood: Chelsea

Good For: tapas, romantic dinner 

Bite Marks: *** 

Salinas; 136 9th Ave (between 18th - 19th) 212-776-1990