Tuesday, October 7, 2008
"L" is for Lessons Learned
Zupper speaking, "L" is actually for La Nacional tapas restaurant in Chelsea. But I've named this entry as Lessons Learned because I think we learned a couple important things that night. It started with a small group of Zupperites and a couple of beers across the street. We headed over to the restaurant and began scoping it out while we waited for a couple people to show up. Upon peering in, the place looked pretty empty and non-inviting. We began questioning. Then questioning quickly became doubting. Next thing you know, I'm yelling "let's go, let's go, let's go to Lombardi's!!" Nick & Alex are quickly yelping every L restaurant in Manhattan and Rollman is pacing outside telling us not to panic (hoping the host doesn't see us). Then, as if in divine intervention, Rollman gives us a much needed pep talk and reminds us that we are indeed Zupperites, culinary adventurers & foodie explorers. We can't turn to Lombardi's in face of the unknown or seemingly shady digs. Plus, Allison would never lead us astray, right? (Although we had another shameful moment and almost accused Allison of setting us up since she wasn't there).
Well, our dear Allison did not lead us astray and the evening, nor the food, was boring. The dining room was nondescript but cozy and within 15 minutes, young couples on dates and old Spanish men came trickling in. Although we ordered several entrees, the tapas were the highlight of the night and the reason I'd return. Fried baby artichokes were lightly fried and served with lemon aioli. The buttery crust didn't overwhelm, but rather complimented the bright artichoke flavor. A variety of Spanish cheeses (we didn't receive details) were creamy and salty. The chorizo slices were served hot and delicious, with a good balance of spice (good enough for me to promptly order another round when Mike came in). Meatballs tasted good, but they were just meatballs - no Spanish flare of any sort. On the other hand, the shrimp were served in a fantastic garlic-spicy sauce and perhaps tasted more "Spain" due to the olive oil. We followed with a classic and vegetarian paella, and the codfish. The paella was beautiful in its presentation, and fine in its taste. It could have used a little more flavor, but the rice was cooked well (tricky in paella) and both boasted fresh tasting vegetables, fish and meats. The only thing I really remember about the codfish is that it was hard to tell which was the codfish and which were the potatoes (but that was after a couple pitchers of deceptively strong Sangria). Service was quick and attentive, and the bill didn't break the bank.
Interesting things to note (and had I done my homework, I probably wouldn't have doubted). There are no signs outside, and this is due to the fact that it is still the gathering spot for the Spanish Benevolent Society, founded in 1888 to provide a cultural welcoming for Spanish visitors and ex-pats. This also explains the strange room you have to first go through in order to get to the dining room. The club sponsors performances, and has a bar that not only shows all the Spanish soccer matches, but also provides little tables for card games and socializing.
Muchas gracias a La Nacional y Covitz, Andrea, Sweeney, Nick, Alex, Rollman y Tenny para un tiempo muy divertido y muy delicioso!
"K" is for Krazy Kreole Kookin at Kombit
"K" was a myriad of memorable experiences, very few having to do with dining. The first and probably the best experience of the night was the guest appearance of baby Julia Nissan (broke the record for youngest Zupperite appearance). She might also break the record for cutest Zupperite (sorry Colin, I know you were campaigning for that one). While we applauded Colin for his pro-risk, cavalier choice in the exotic - Caribbean Creole - we lambasted him for his suspect, non-investigative, "dysentery farm" pick of where to eat. (Noooo, it wasn't that bad. I'm just kidding. But seriously, the place is like a block away from Colin's apartment. Maybe a quick "let me stick my face in this place to make sure the waiters are breathing and that they're not cooking up some nasty goat" would've been a good idea.)
Sooooo, the restaurant didn't quite deliver on service (it's like they were brewing the beer in the back... and, there wasn't even anyone in the place!) decor, or food, or really anything else that you go to a restaurant for but hey, who cares, it was a critics pick on NYMag.com and they never lie! Of course, the very first review on NY Mag reads "I'm not used to Caribbean spices, so I got sick afterwards, but I'd still go back"... Hmmm. Words to consider.
Skip the starters (bbq wings were light on the meat, and the coconut shrimp were pretty typical). I ordered the shrimp gumbo and I was actually impressed. The flavors were complex, rich but not heavy and the shrimp tasted fresh. Traditional rice and beans were served family style and were equally tasty. Mike (**important to note that my sometimes conservative eating husband spent the afternoon at the Yankee/Red Sox game and was undeniably over-served**) ordered the goat. (Yep, that's right. Goat. Not lamb. Not cow. Goat. Goats eat clothing. Goats have horns like the devil. Goats inspired millions of guidos to wear goatees. And yet, with all those facts staring him in the face, Mike still ordered the goat. Bad call.) It was served in a sauce of herbs and spices, resembling a chunky beef stew. Reminiscent of pork tenderloin, yet not as tender. And, well, not as porky either. Another hmmm.
Overall, the group was satisfied with the place but the bizarre decor (or was it the quiet atmosphere?), slooowww service and "mixed bag" dishes probably made it the oddest zupperite meeting so far. But, odd can still be fun and fun we had. Odd can also be delicious. Sometimes.
Special shout out to the Spahrs who just moved to New York. Hope we didn't scare you off.
p.s. guess who was a contributing editor to this post?
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