Dani García: eating New York
Setting up a restaurant in New York was an idea that had been cooking for years in Dani García's head. The chef will see his dream come true next week when he opens on Park Avenue South Manzanilla Spanish Brasserie , the New York branch of Calima (his restaurant in Malaga, with two Michelin stars). The venue will exploit a new concept, adapted to the tastes of the public in the Big Apple. "Long and essential tasting menus are not part of their culture, but we didn't want a tapas bar either, because there are already many," the chef tells us. That's why they chose a brasserie, “with a lunch menu, another for dinner, brunch and a lot of freedom to create” , but also where to serve the essential hamburger, salads or, as in any Spanish restaurant in the City, sausages and octopus.
To prepare this menu, Dani García moved to New York and, between courses, he has given him time to get to know many corners of the city . That's why, before his grand opening, we asked him to make us a gastronomic list of his favorite places. ** From his favorite hamburger to haute cuisine, passing through the best ramen and some Spanish food to cure gastromorriña **.
BURGERS
Burger Joint Le Parker Meridien . “A hidden burger joint next to the reception of the luxurious Hotel Le Meridien, a tiny place and a cheap burger for the quality they give you. For me it is one of the best hamburgers in New York: you can easily order two because they are not very big, with soft bread and meat with a real grilled flavor. It is very juicy and you always want more”.
shake shack . “There are many, but the one in Madison Park is very close to Manzanilla. The burger is very similar to the Buger Joint: juicy, tasty and easy to eat.”
MORE MEAT
** Fette Sau BBQ .** “In Williamsburg, this restaurant tucked inside a garage and with the aroma of wood and smoke is to go when you are very hungry and fill up on different types of barbecued meats. Its operation is curious since the meat is sold by weight, any of its parts is worth it. My favorite? The Berkshire Belly (bacon)”.
The Shake Shack Burger
FOR JAPANOPHILES
** Ippudo .** “Japanese ramen restaurant, where about 800 people eat every day, so it is not recommended if you are in a hurry: you will usually have to wait an hour. Its secret is the value for money: eating some buns or some noodles that take away the hiccups for no more than 25 dollars is a joy . One of my favorites to go weekly. Very similar is the Totto Ramen”.
** Soba Koh .** “Despite its unappetizing name for a Spaniard (sounds like what it sounds like), soba [a type of thin Japanese noodle] is of great quality, both to be eaten hot and cold. It is a small and cheap place where you can see how they perform soba live in a traditional way”.
Soto . “We have already moved on to things of a higher level and haute cuisine: the best japanese i have ever eaten He is in Manhattan and his name is Soto. Omakase (ask the chef what he wants to prepare for you), without a doubt, made by Soto personally, a peculiar and very nice guy who makes the best possible niguiris. Dishes with sea urchins (uni) are their specialty”.
ITALIAN LOVERS
** Vezzo Thin Crust Pizza .** “Its name says it all, I like it a lot, but because personally, thin and crunchy pizzas [as its name says in English] are my favorites. They also have good salads. And it's not hard to get a table.
** Roberta's Pizza .** “Its name is misleading and its location too, it's in Brooklyn, but I'm not too lazy to take the subway just to eat here . It is an alternative pizza restaurant that hides a cuisine of a high level both aesthetically and tastefully. The pizzas are very good, yes, but you must not stop ordering dishes from their kitchen. With its own garden, the salads gain a lot of life and any real dish has a background of haute cuisine due to the care and delicacy when it comes to plating. Essential visit in Brooklyn”.
The pizza the Clintons like: Roberta's
SPANISH
**Saltie.** “If you're still in Brooklyn have a sandwich here. There is one called Armada Española, it is a Spanish omelette with paprika aioli for those who yearn for those traditional flavors”.
Saltie - Brooklyn's Best Sandwiches
** Boquería Soho .** “The best Spanish food for me is the one made in Boquería, a little bread with tomato and the best paella in NYC… On Sundays they serve suckling pig which is also worth it. The atmosphere and the music is spectacular.
2013: yes to blackboards
FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS
** Nomad .** “The atmosphere of Nomad is very New York and high level, but the best without a doubt and for what is worth your visit is for the roast chicken at 75 dollars that can be shared between three or even four people. Filled with brioche and truffle, it is unique . If you go on Saturdays or Sundays you can order it at brunch in a sandwich format... The crudités are very fun and enjoyable and the desserts are very good”.
Nomad: chicken and New York distinction
** Eleven Madison .** “Haute cuisine, a three-star, probably the most daring cuisine in this city, great media coverage and an enviable staging. The tasting menu is fun and very entertaining: it ends with a magic trick by the waiter that I'm still trying to assimilate. Cool".
Eleven Madison: Three-Star Haute Cuisine
A LITTLE SWEET
**Dominique Ansel Bakery.** “Located in Soho, this is a must for breakfast or afternoon tea. Everything he does is of a high level but his croissant caramelized and crunchy on the outside and sweet and pleasant on the inside ”.
** Junior's .** “It is famous for its cheesecake, very good, although I prefer to order the red velvet, a cheesecake accompanied by a red sponge cake dyed with food coloring , made famous by the movie Steel Magnolias. Although there are several Junior's in the city, it is best to go to the one in Grand Central Station and take advantage of the excursion”.
The best cheesecake in New York?
TO MAKE THE PURCHASE
**Chelsea Market.** “There is a very interesting cookware store, full of food toys of all kinds and a bookstore with lots of cooking publications. And while you're at it, take the opportunity to eat a great lobster at the Lobster Place”.
** Despaña .** “In this store in Soho of Spanish products is where we buy some things for Manzanilla. Personally, I go for Cola Cao and San Nicasio potatoes, which are my downfall”.
** Union Square Greenmarket .** “This famous market is the one that supplies many restaurants in the city, also Manzanilla. It is worth approaching as it sets the trend for seasonal products that are later seen on the menus. It is full of farmers from the area who offer products of all kinds. The best vegetables, without a doubt ”.
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