Michelin Star Tapas ”Casa Mono”

Duck Egg with Mojama and Black Truffles $18

Casa Mono is a Michelin one star restaurant located on the east side of Union Square at Irving Place (on the corner of 18th St. & 17th St.) This restaurant has been one of my favorite tapas places in New York for a long time. They serve many interesting tapas. However, if you are expecting one of those regular Italian or Spanish tapas restaurants, then this is not the place for you. I call it a tapas wine bar because everything is smaller in portion, yet the price is on the high side. I would consider each dish to be more like an appetizer with an entree price point. Make sure you try everything and order a bunch of different dishes with your group of friends. You will probably get a big bill, but each dish is so unique and delicious that you will walk away with one big, happy smile. 🙂 If you are on a date night, I recommend that you sit at the counter seat so you can enjoy watching the kitchen’s action.

Here are some of my favorite dishes that I would highly recommend you to order:

*Foie Gras with Cinco Cebollas $19

*Fideos with Chorizo, Sea Beans and Clams $18

*Stuffed Lamb Belly with Artichoke Purée, Blood Oranges and Radicchio $16

They are open for lunch as well as dinner and serve the same menu. Please make sure to call for a reservation ahead of time because you won’t have much luck if you think you can just walk in for dinner. The place is always SuPa SuPa busy.

Casa Mono – 52 Irving Place, New York, NY 10003

OVERALL	FOOD	ATMOSPHERE	PRICE
♥♥♥♥1/2	♥♥♥♥1/2	♥♥♥♥	$$$$

Foie Gras with Cinco Cebollas $19

Creamy Eggs with Sea Urchin, Walnuts, Lime and Ancient Anchovy Oil $16

Confit Goat with Avocado Queso, Scallion Ash and Pistachios $19

Fideos with Chorizo, Sea Beans and Clams $18

Stuffed Lamb Belly with Artichoke Purée, Blood Oranges and Radicchio $16

Atlantic Calamares with Harissa and Squid Ink $15

Burrata with anchovies

Pulpo with Fennel and Grapefruit $13

Confit Goat with Avocado Queso, Scallion Ash and Pistachios $19

Bar Counter

Open kitchen

”Basta Pasta” from Tokyo

Basta Pasta were doing Uni Pasta before anyone else in New York city. The restaurant has been located in near Union Square for more than 20 years. Originally Basta Pasta comes from Tokyo, Japan. Absolutely you need to order two pasta when you come here. One is Spaghetti Con Prosciutto E Parmigianospaghetti with parmigiano reggiano & parma prosciutto, served in a half wheel of parmesan cheese at the table. Another pasta is Linguine ai Ricci di Mare with Fresh Sea Urchin, pink sauce & basil. They serve two different kind of Uni pasta. Both pasta are very good but pink sauce’s one is their signature dish. If you’re a fan of Japanese style Italian then I recommend you to try Dieci in East Village also 🙂

Basta Pasta 37 West 17th St., New York, NY 10011 (212) 366-0888