Casa Mono

This very small Spanish tapas restaurant represents a different direction for Mario Battaglia, but retains his signature amazing and interesting combinations of fresh ingredients. Reservations were a little too precious, “could we make a 5:30 PM reservation a few minutes later? — Sure, how about 11:30 PM?” The tables are NYC close and uncomfortable. Loudish music makes for strained conversation. Wait staff were basically okay and knowledgeable, a little hard to find because of the layout of the place. The Cafe Mono salad was sublime, perfectly dressed, with good crunch. Calamari was simple, fresh and well prepared — served hot. Atichokes were less impressive. Duck with cranberry was meaty, nicely cooked and very tasty. Skirt steak was perfectly charred but a little rare on the inside. The chef had a very heavy hand with the salt, especially with a fingerling potato side dish that bordered on inedible. For those who don’t want a full bottle of wine, there was nothing by the glass, but instead by 1/3 bottle carafes — a lucrative marketing strategy to be sure. Overall, a worthwhile place to try, especially if you’re in the area — with a unique and fresh style, but too many drawbacks to make it likely we’d go back.

Pretty much exactly what I was expecting: good food at slightly painful prices. Sweetbreads were especially fab, as was the plum brandy sundae.