Solera Continues to Shine as the Best Spanish Restaurant in Manhattan by Culinary King Rufino Lopez Our Coverage Sponsored by Fresh Origins
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Culinary King Rufino Lopez is a beacon of excellence in the Manhattan restaurant industry. His classy unassuming nature backed by solid credentials, brilliant business sense, fantastic cuisine further enhanced by his unique upbringing on a Spanish farm and his remarkable popularity that's evident as you see regulars greet him with enthusiasm and look sad to leave the place- are just some of the criteria that make Solera shine. Though Solera is famous for tapas, and that is little plate to all of you Americans like Peachy that wouldn't know the difference between that and an appetizer, Solera goes way beyond the tapas. And the Cava.
In the top picture you see Paella, which Solera is famous for, and below, a beautiful plate of vegetables. Not all vegetables are this gorgeous, so don't hate them, but do eat them! We cannot WAIT to see the roof open next summer, and note that Solera is expanding when many restaurants are trying to stay afloat.
They are consistently incredible. We love garlic and the darling shrimp swimmingly succeed in their sauce along with the baked garlic pieces that make the dish even more laudable.
We're not sure what more we could say about the garlic shrimp, but you're putting yourself in a state of deprivation if you have not basked in their glory. Observe our visual homage to the Garlic Shrimp that we love so much:
After our favorite, we were open to try some of the other culinary creations of Solera. Though we still love Garlic Shrimp the most, there are other convincing items you should try as well.
The fried calamari with aioli sauce (garlic and mayonnaise) was tantalizing and is now our second favorite. The beautiful texture and freshness combined with the taste which had just the right amount of salty made this most convincing.
Sweet Plaintain and Manchero cheese was in the middle:
And we also tried Chicken and Ham Croquettes:
This plate of three tapas is just perfect if you go in for a glass of Cava and sit at the welcoming bar! But if your schedule permits, we suggest dinner. Solera is a total must!
If you want to experience premium Spanish cuisine in Manhattan, there is only one place to go and that is Solera. Solera Restaurant and Tapas bar has been dominating Spanish cuisine in Manhattan for the last twenty-one years. Housed in a comfortable midtown brownstone, Solera occupies two floors at 216 East 53rd Street, with a capacity for 115 people. Each dining room evokes a warm, intimate feeling and reflects the colors and images of Spain. Solera restaurant offers contemporary interpretations of regional Spanish cuisine that will delight you. The Wine Selection is exclusively Spanish, offering New York's most extensive collection of Spain's D.O.'s, as well as, a fine selection of Sherries and Gran Solera Brandies de Jerez. Do tell Rufino that Peachy sent you! He is famous for bringing the paella pan to New York, among his many accomplishments. Solera was highly recommended by Whom You Know:
If you want to experience premium Spanish cuisine in Manhattan, there is only one place to go and that is Solera. Solera Restaurant and Tapas bar has been dominating Spanish cuisine in Manhattan for the last twenty-one years. Housed in a comfortable midtown brownstone, Solera occupies two floors at 216 East 53rd Street, with a capacity for 115 people. Each dining room evokes a warm, intimate feeling and reflects the colors and images of Spain. Solera restaurant offers contemporary interpretations of regional Spanish cuisine that will delight you. The Wine Selection is exclusively Spanish, offering New York's most extensive collection of Spain's D.O.'s, as well as, a fine selection of Sherries and Gran Solera Brandies de Jerez. Do tell Rufino that Peachy sent you! He is famous for bringing the paella pan to New York, among his many accomplishments. Solera was highly recommended by Whom You Know:
Rufino Lopez is a Mover and Shaker:
212-644-1166
