NYC Tastes

We were celebrating the birthday of a fabulous friend and it just so happened to coincide with the unveiling of a new Basque menu at Huertas.  We ordered so much food it's honestly a little ridiculous but here's a quick run down: Chicken Liver Toast Egg with ramps Duck Croquette An array of Spanish meats... ...to complement an array of Spanish cheese. Mackerel in Olive Oil Rojo with potato strands, poached egg and chorizo Salt Baked Trout with Swiss Chard, romenesco, aioli verde and salpicon Lamb Saddle with piquillo peppers Saffron Fried Rice with ramps, English snap peas, egg and aioli And finally an order of Papas in spicy bravas sauce.  The meal was just like a parade of unending dishes.  Everything was great but the standouts were definitely the crisp salty Duck Croquettes, the rich Mackerel in olive oil and the Salt Baked Trout with that incredible romenesco sauce. And of course the desserts...this is where I fell in love with those suga...

There's nothing more fun than sitting back with a glass of wine and nibbling on small plates while catching up with an old friend.  Luckily there are a ton of bars in NYC offering just that like Boqueria. I hardly ever go to a tapas bar without ordering Datiles con Beicon...plump juicy dates stuffed with almonds and Veldeon cheese then wrapped in crisp bacon.  They're super rich and sweet...definitely something to share with a friend. As is the cheese...this time we tried the Rosemary Manchego a hard, nutty cheese with the strong evergreen flavor of rosemary in the rind.  The only thing I don't share is the Berza y Zanahorias salad.  Kale and cumin roasted carrots topped with pomegranate, sunflower seeds and dollops of labne yogurt drizzled with a citrus dressing. The flavor reminds me a bit of our carrots at  Manfreds and Vin  with that sweet, nutty flavor I love so much.  I usually ask to go light on the pomegranate seeds.  I really...