205 10th Avenue (between 22nd and 23rd Sts.) 212-675-8805 www.tiapol.com
Spanish. There’s tapas and there’s tapas. Keep your expectations high and head to Tia Pol. Not only do they bring you dish after delicious dish, they do it with the mellowest of attitudes in the most laid back of spaces. I was immediately hooked on their fried chickpeas, as generous and addictive as a starter could possibly be. This was followed by a grilled, garlic-rubbed baguette (tomato, three sauces, my second addiction of the night). Their shrimp in olive oil with garlic and chili is plentiful and full of personality. When the wonderful waitperson suggested bread for the liquid gold that remained, I happily said yes — it would be lunacy to refuse this offer. Their grilled steak special (fava beans and a chimichurri sauce) was just more proof of how exceptional they are, and when paired with the patatas bravas, a whole other level of brilliant. I attribute this to two things: the outrageous flavor of the entrée and one of the best potato preparations I have ever tasted. Upon completion, I was momentarily conflicted, unsure there was room for dessert. I got over that pretty quickly and committed to the Spanish almond cake with dulce de leche and vanilla ice cream. I do not even want to think about the fact that I could have missed out. At Tia Pol, it all looks so amazingly effortless. But that’s only because they know exactly what they’re doing.