March 24, 2004
Casa Mono
After conquering the West Village (with Po, Lupa, Otto, and Babbo) and Midtown West (Esca), Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich set their sights on Irving Place by taking over the former Irving on Irving space with Casa Mono, a variation on Spanish tapas bar. Gothamist checked out Casa Mono one evening to see that the Batali-Bastianich touch and name bring the foodies comin'.
The space is bustling, with open grills, counter-bar space, and small tables, with people filling every corner (even at 6PM on a weekday). Perhaps that's why the hostess was less than keen on seating the four-out-of-six people in our party, but we did have a reservation and insisted on getting seated. (Can someone explain to Gothamist why entire parties must be seated, when a partial party will in fact start ordering and will agree to vacate the table by the next seating? This is something we're wondering about, thanks.) As expected, the wine list was an extensive selection of Spanish wines (much like the overwhelming wine list at Otto) that could have been perused for hours; we chose some sort of Rioja. The "tapas" menu has a mix of traditional (manchego cheese, bacalao croquettes) and non-traditional (sweetbreads, cockscomb) dishes (see part of the menu here). Our server said that each person generally ate about 2-3 dishes, and that was a good guide. We ordered: Croquettes of both cod (bacalao) and pumpkin & goat cheese; pulpo (like baby octopus); scallops; fried duck egg over potatoes with truffles; manchego cheeses; patates; sweatbreads; artichokes; and peppers with oxtails. And it was all delicious and surprisingly filling: The fried duck egg was generally considered the standout dish, but the pumpkin & goat cheese croquettes were a close second.
The tangerine sorbet with pomegranate was the perfect refreshment after the meal. The crema caralana (a more liquidy creme brulee) with batter-covered-then-fried bay leaves would satisy someone with a richer sweet tooth.
Overall, Casa Mono is a great place to go if you can get a seat (you can make reservations, but walking in seems dicier) and can deal with the din. Gothamist wants to try other things on the menu, but we're a-fearing the other rabid foodies and foodie-come-lately types. Perhaps when Mario and Joe and company open up the next place, things will quiet down...though that didn't exactly happen with the other joints. Sigh.
Casa Mono, 52 Irving Place, 212-253-2773
eGullet on Casa Mono.
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It's always refreshing to peek over gothamist's shoulder at prandial delights. And to conjure up complicated words that are supposed to gloss over my rumbling stomach.
I suspect that commendable Spanish wines are either of the cheap and astonishingly drinkable sort, or belong to the nobility. Saying "Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial" gives me a kick. It's been years since I've enjoyed that particular spirit's company.
Does anyone know what "Casa Mono" means?
Having worked in my fair share of restaurants, I have a handle on the whole seating procedures of large parties. Restaurants don't want to seat you if your whole party is not there because they want to keep turning parties on tables (more tips and revenue) and your party may linger longer waiting for the late party to order/eat. Also, maybe your remaining party decides not to show, your formerly large party took a table that could have sat a group needing that large table.
Right, I get and agree that it's unfair for a smaller party to take a larger table. But we were 6 crammed into a pretty small table. And we made it clear we were going to leave within an hour or so. I think I'm just being cranky, but being made to feel like a second class citizen is out of line. I totally understand that the hosts have their jobs to do, but sometimes they come off like wardens, not people thinking of guests' hospitality.
I believe Casa Mono means house of one? But I'm probably wrong....
I like "house monkey"
According to murmurings on eGullet or Chowhound, there's a place in Spain called Casa Mono also, and this may be an homage to it.
I walked in on a Thursday at about 5:30, as apparently the walk in window was closing (next party to try was told they were booked 'till 11:00). Had a great meal. Scallops, goat-cheese/pumpkin, Quail, the Serrano, scallions and parsnip "sides" and the boar. I actually loved the scallops and the croquetas most, but everything we were served was very good.
My one complaint: our waitress actually recopmended we choose 1 dish per person from each of the four "sections" ont he menu. Bad advice. We ended up ordering too much food, bit of a labor of love by the end of the meal. Was a little annoyed with her for that. Some of the plates could almost pass for entres (my quail and boar in particlar had a decent portion of food).
related topic... Bar Jamon next door is a great concept, with good wine list and some tasty food, but it is horrible cramped and uncomfortable (i don't think I've ever had that complaint before in my life, this place defo takes the cake).
Untill things calm down, for me, Bar Jamon = weekend early afternoon and Casa Mono = 5:00 walk in, probably requesting the bar.
googled it....james is right, it's house of the monkey or monkey house...whichever you prefer.
I was incredibly surprised to see this article on Gothamist today. I'm a regular at the cafe (71 Irving) down the street, so I've been passing by Casa Mono for months. And it was only last Friday night that I finally tried the place. The sweetbreads and cockscomb were definitely ...not as intriguing to me, but the meal we picked was perfect for two. I couldn't believe grilled artichokes could taste so good. I also didn't expect the crema catalina to be so completely out of this world. (Apparently, I like a more "liquidy creme brulee.")
As for Bar Jamon, sure it's cramped. But patience is a virtue and even on a Saturday night you can wait your turn for a spot easily over there. I guess I've got a particular soft spot for them because I spent the final hours up to midnight there this past New Year's. And as we all got ready to make our toasts, the bartender and busboys handed out flutes and flutes and flutes of champagne. We _all_ had a good time that night...
Wow, the food really looks good. I'm going to have to try it! Would you recommend a particular dish?
Hey guys, I am spaniard and believe me "tapas" are teh best!.
Duck eggs? no, no, no, that's a crime for the most classic spanish dish. Eggs must be from hen and fried potatos are usually accompanied by onion and green pepper. It's called "huevos a lo pobre" and it's as simple as delicious.
... "crema caralana" I think you are talking about "Crema Catalana".
Regards
In some cases, I think they were going for variations or interpretations of various spanish tapas dishes, Havoc.
Good point Kelsey, and I agree that it's worth the wait/cramped quarters... just one of the few/only times I can recall beeing somewhat uncomfortable in a bar/resteraunt.
I can understand that, definitely. Personal space should be respected! ...Bar Jamon is just too small, oh well.
A friend told me about Casa Mono and I was like, tapas sounds good, let's go. We got there around 8:30 on a Monday and the place was packed. Luckily for us, all six of us were seated within 10 minutes. Absolutely one of the best meals of my life! Don't go harsh on the duck egg, that was fabulous! The razor clams were also to die for. I would also recommend everything else, because I think we had almost one of each item on the menu and passed it around. I thought the place was extremely reasonable, and the staff were amazing! If you have to wait to get a table, do it!
My sister and I have had the best luck just walking in - 6pm on a Tuesday night with the promise that we would leave by 7:30. No problem. We had the sweetbreads (good - my sister describing them as KFC flavored), the pan de tomate, sepia, skirt steak - fanastic, and the venison. I must say the red wine I chose randomly was fantastic - $25 for a cuarto. I think the atmosphere there is just wonderful, tight but somehow very urban and warm.