Jamonera

We came all the way from Allentown to have dinner here and it was great. The small plates of wonderful smart food are inventive and special. We wanted to have everything on the menu so we came back a few weeks later to try another set of dishes. I particularly loved the Foie Torrejas, my partner would kill for the Papa Frita - which was so simple, yet perfectly done. We also loved the Mussels Escabeche, and thought the Calamares En Su Tinta was brilliant - crisp, well cooked and exotically black. The 1st time we went we had 6 dishes and the entire bill came to $38 the second time we cut out the lovely bunelos (which were great but a little too high calorie for a person like me who also has lactose intolerance) and we had a different set of things (though we always have to have the papas) and the bill for two came to $35. Though the tables are a tiny bit cramped, the first thing we talked about on the drive home is how we are going to fit in time to come back. It's my favorite place in the City and I found it just by luck by looking at a list of places online for a quick dinner before going to a late museum opening.

Went to jamonera expecting food adequate to the level that bindi was or hoping close to Lolita's and barbuzzos greatness but a huge let down. Started w a waitress who didn't know the menu and was unenthusiastic about any items for suggestion... Ordered blindly and were served great food with no clue what was what when it came out. Even ordered the chefs board of cheese and meats and the server didn't know one of the items on the board. Continued dinner w slow service of drinks, it was half empty on the Thursday and couldn't get a new bottle of wine without standing up and finding the server. It was a friends birthday and I asked for dessert recommendations and the servers response was ... I'll bring a menu over... Clearly had no idea of the options or didn't want to add to the bill. Very sad experience when I loved bindi and bring friends to Lolita's and barbuzzo continuously. Something's gone wrong with spot and sad to see that jamonera is associated with such wonderful places.

Wonderful, creative execution of some Spanish classics, but mostly Jamonera offers a unique and creative spin on what strikes us as Spanish bistro food. The menu will surprise, regardless of your level of experience with Spanish cuisine. Highly recommended.