MenuPages

From the oily and strange tasting/looking Chilean sea bass, to the dried out seafood paella, to the fatty? sautéed octopus, and the overcooked and over-seasoned garlic shrimp appetizer, everything was abysmal. The serving sizes are so ridiculously large that it really makes me wonder about the quality of the food they are serving. Why else would they be willing to dole out so much of it for $20 a plate? The bread basket wasn’t bad though (always end on a good note).

We recently dined in this establishment on a recommendation from a relative from overseas. Although we live in Conn. and travel to NYC often somehow we overlooked this place. We were seated in the outdoor garden on a Saturday night. We got the feel we were no longer in NYC. The tranquility of the garden set the mood for a great dinner. We satarted with a pitcher ow White Mango Sangria which was delicious. I can't remember the second pitcher. We ordered Paella, Steak, and a 2lb lobster. Everyone at the table was delighted with the food and service.

I have been going to Cafe Espanol since July 1984, right after my graduation from NYU. I Wondered how I had missed the place the past few years. At First, the closed spaced sitting arrangement made me feel uncomfortable but as soon as the Waiters came all was forgotten. They were marvelous and treated everyone as if they were the most important person around. They were superbly efficient, friendly, courteous and paced the entrees just right. The food was fabulous and Margaritas were over sized and perfectly balanced for the ultimate taste. I felt in love with this quaint, cozy restaurant and decided to keep it as the traditional family place for especial occasions. Cafe Espanol has been the place to celebrate my family's anniversaries, birthdays and even one New years Day. My two son's could not imagine not going to Cafe Espanol for their pre-birthday celebrations. The oldest one, now 32 years, requests to be taken there for father's days and his birthday. The youngest, now 21 years, has now been turned off as I have by the dramatic change in the drinks and service. Most important is the new addition of the nastiest waiters/ maitre d' we have ever met. First they were insisting that I sat in the new section--which I hate. Then, they reluctantly agree to sit us in the back section and rushed us to order and eat, even though there were no people waiting for tables. Then when we asked to have some left overs to take home, they placed all the bags of food in our table, even as we were still drinking coffee. We had to place the bags underneath our table in order to complete our washed out dinner day. We left them a hefty 20% gratuity, and promised never to go back there. Too bad that the young son didn't follow his father's tradition, and has left the place to a bunch of uncouth WAITERS.

I love this place. It's the quintessential neighborhood restaurant with a family feel. The food and service is always really satisfying. The atmosphere is a little kitschy but that's what gives it its character. We love it. The lobster special is the best deal in town.

We were in the village after a play. We had reservation at another rest. for much later in the evening but were hungry at 4:30 so we stopped at Cafe Espanol. Seated in a rear room immediately. Host was pleasant. Waiter took our drink order but did not return for a while, which was OK. We ordered marascada and one paella Valenciana w/lobster. We were brought a salad (which we did not expect) It was fresh. Food arrived hot and was tasty- Lobster was very hard to crack and we wouldnt order the food w/lobster again. enought to take a serving home. I would go back -thought prices were reasonable.

I can't believe the great deal I got on Lobster this weekend. 2lb. Lobster for $24.00 . The lobster and sangria were fantastic. We had a great time.

I used to love Cafe Espanol, and by heavens, the tapas are really great. Something happened though, it's not like it used to be a couple of years ago. The tapas no longer come on the wooden plates and the paella seemed smaller. still great sangria, esp. the white sangria, but *something* could be spiced back up again. Definitely worth the money though!