107 1st Avenue (between 6th and 7th Sts.) 212-228-4490 www.huertasnyc.com
Spanish. When you arrive, you’ll notice a letter waiting for you at the table. Just open the envelope and read. It’s the menu, and the news could not be better. Their tapas is both generous and impressive. As an octopus fan, I was taken with their pulpo (placed temptingly upon potatoes and pimentón). Little did I know, I was soon to be completely blown away by one of the most amazing tortillas I have ever tasted. It is described as an omelette with potato and onion. How can something this seemingly basic be so outrageously addiction worthy? I was sad to finish, but felt quickly cheered by the arroz which came next. You might be thinking rice is rice, but this fried saffron creation with morcilla, chickpeas, piquillo, egg and aioli will change your mind in an instant.
At this point, I wondered if dessert could possibly live up to their tapas standards. But, it does. Or should I say they do, because both the natilla de chocolate (chocolate custard, pecans, whipped cream) and marcona almond ice cream with sherry reduction were a delicious end to an incredible meal. Huertas is so much more than good, it’s hard to imagine the next time you’ll get a piece of mail that makes you this happy.