Casa Mono

We had dinner here on Saturday evening. We didn’t make a reservation and were lucky to get a table. The mussels were amazing, the quail was decent and the steak was tasty but a little bit chewy! Service was very attentive and the scene was great!

Casa mono has a nice atmosphere, though it might be a bit too dimly lit an cozy for some. The tables are so close together that one server actually thought we were dining with the table next to us. We did not experience the rudeness that some other people described, the waitstaff was very friendly and more than happy to explain menu items for those who don't speak Spanish. My only complaint is that we were pushed to order all of our items at the same time, which seems unusual for a tapas bar. Overall, the food was very good, though some of the more unusual dishes didn't wow me as much as I had hoped they would. Don't overlook the seemingly simple menu items such as the artichokes a la plancha. Also, one of the people I was eating with said that the sweetbreads were the best he'd ever had.

The best place to eat at Casa Mono is the bar. There you can watch each dish being made, get an explanation from the staff about what they're preparing and get ideas on what to order, and talk to the wait staff as well. If you can go a bit early it's even better. The staff is trememdously interested in food if you are, and has always been friendly, courteous and cooperative, even one evening when I'd left my wallet at my apartment and had to come back much later to pay. You won't notice the place is crowded if you're in the middle of the action, and you'll get great service as well. True it's a bit expensive, but the dishes are extremely fresh and well prepared before your very eyes, and both unusual and delicious. Stay away, leave it for me.

Yes, the restaurant is crowded, and the service may be a bit overwhelmed, but some of these reviews are missing the point. The food is outstanding. We had the tasting menu and each course was delicious, fresh, and original. Especially loved the rabbit with celery root and apple crumble.

Do you detect a theme in these reviews? I am always in the mood to prove wrong the lengthy tales of poor service I see on Menupages. Casa Mono was to be my next feat. Surely, my southern charm could win them over. Then I heard, "You know, the wine you have will really be spoiled by the food you ordered." What? Isn't there a nicer way to say that, if it must be said at all? Just one of several mistakes on her part, including spilling wine down my back, asking us to hurry up!, and, no joke, bringing us the bill rather than the requested dessert menu. One more chance, Batali, and I'm done. But, it must be known: one of the most inventive, curious and tongue-tingling menus I've tasted in this city.

My partner and I live up the street on the park and enjoy dining out a lot. Yet we have never been able to make it past the weekend crowds at Casas Mono to try it despite that I am a connosieur of Spanish cuisine. Two Sundays ago, we were strolling by in t-shirts and saw that it had just opened and decided to pop in for a quick taste - I have a glass of wine, and my partner not since he was feeling slightly ill. The wait staff was extremely rude to us. There were only 2 other tables with patrons, yet he sat us in rush without any courtesy comments. When he laid the wine list at my partner's plate, I picked it up (since I was the only one drinking) and when I did so, he guffawed at me and rolled his eyes. I couldn't believe it. He didn't offer any suggestions about the food - and the bacalou and sepia were mediocre at best - definitely not worth the price. Unsolicited, they brought us the check before I was even half done with my glass of wine (which is very strange for a tapas place) - then the waiter had the nerve to come back and took the billfold thinking I had put $ or my credit card in it (which I had not yet since we were still eating) - so we obliged them, paid the bill, and got out of their hair. No plans to go back ever. Overpriced, snooty, poor manners, very bad form.

One word describes the food at Batali?s tapas eatery: Extraordinary! Despite the snooty waiters who are more than happy to critize your tapas/ wine pairing- the dishes are all out of this world. Try the frogs legs and the duck. Also, make sure to leave room for dessert- the custard is fantastic.