I’m a Casa Mono devotee.  I’m not the only one as this tapas bar-restaurant, inspired by the cooking of Spain’s Costa Brava, was awarded three stars from The New York Times in 2015 and a Michelin Star in 2009 and every year since.

A must try.

Our waiter Matt suggested the Silice, a rosè from Galicia, 2021, done Provençal style ($81). We sipped that while nibbling their olives, bathing in rich EVOO.

I let my dining partner select the menu as it was her birthday. We started with roasted shishito ($16), peppers in a pimiento manchego cheese sauce, and their classic Ensalada Mono, a pile of lightly dressed friseé decorated with three triangle slices of manchego and topped with crumbled pimentón spiced Marcona almonds in a light membrillo (quince paste) vinaigrette that always satisfied.

The bacalao croquetas came in an orange aioli ($15 for four). Bacalao is codfish that has been salted and dried; it has a unique flavor different from fresh cod.

The only dish we didn’t finish was the potatoes brava ($12), cooked potatoes served warm with a spicy sauce. The potatoes are fine, just not exceptional as are the scallops. Three giant ones come in a serrano pepper green curry-coconut sauce with minted whole cashews ($30).

And because it was a birthday, we indulged in the orange-infused bread pudding with caramel ice cream and Pedro Ximénez berries ($12) served in a cast iron skillet.

The food at Casa Mono is not to be missed. Worth a visit.

Casa Mono
Gramercy Park
52 Irving Place
New York, NY 10003
(212) 253-2773
casamononyc.com/