NUELA - The Best New Latin Game in Town!

I was invited to try a new restaurant, Nuela, located in the Flatiron district.  Friends of my family - Mitch & Ellen, attended a party at Nuela and said it was excellent.  As I trust they would never lead me astray, I went to Nuela to try the excellence for myself.  Located on 24th street between 5th and 6th, Nuela has two huge doors that almost make it look like a club.  Fear not - Nuela is not a club.  Rather, it is an ever so chic restaurant that's hip and welcoming decor invites you in for hours of fun.  

Bread Plate

Once seated, we were greeted with a bread plate.  When I took a bite of the roll, the texture felt like a warm, melty cheese, yet it was just a roll.  I am not sure I have come across a roll in my day that sincerely tastes amazing without butter.  I like rolls, but butter gives the roll that soft feeling you need.  This roll was basically infused with butter.  It was delicious.  The plate also comes with a modified version of a corn muffin type treat.  This bread plate led to a revelation for me (pretty powerful bread plate I guess) - I like when a bread plate is unique and complete.  This bread plate allowed me to try two different types of bread.  Then, bread time was over.  With a big bread basket, the tendency to overdose on bread is high.  This bread plate almost feels like a dish within itself.  Good start.

As the server gratuitously filled up our waters, I felt it was time to order a cocktail.  I ordered a Caipirinha, one of my favorite cocktails, found in several Latin and Mexican restaurants.  My boyfriend ordered a beer.  The cocktails are $12, which is usually a lot for a cocktail in my book.  But this cocktail took me through dessert.  It was strong enough and long lasting.  The beer was only $6.  You will see later in the post that the entrees fall on the higher end, but most of the small plates are under $10.  With that said, one fancy cocktail, a few small plates, and a group of friends, would easily turn your night into a more tapas-style evening, and a more budget friendly result.

The dinner menu offers small plates, big plates, different looking plates, so many plates!  Have no fear - your server will tour you through the menu (this is also something I am finding really awesome and hot right now - menu tours.  it gives you a perspective on how to look at options, and leaves you to make more informed decisions).  In addition to the dinner menu, there is a separate ceviche menu.  There is actually a Ceviche BAR in the middle of the restaurant.  You can sit at the bar and watch them make ceviche. 

Octopus and Pork Belly Antichucchos with Shishito Mayo

We ordered two small plates, a ceviche, and two entrees.  Yummmm.  There are Picos, such as Spicy Tuna and Foie Gras Croquettes.  We did not order any Picos.  There are Antichuchos, aka, food on a skewer.  We ordered the Octopus and Pork Belly antichucos.  They were impeccably cooked and quite tasty, as you can see above.  Yes, they are 3 small skewers, but they are only $8, and they tasted quite rich.

Oxtail Empanadas - Red Wine, Bone Marrow, and Celery Root Puree

We also ordered from the Empanadas section of the menu and selected the Oxtail Empanada.  I am not exaggerating when I say that this Oxtail Empanada was undoubtedly one of the best things I have ever eaten.  By next year, I want to have a list of the top ten things I have ever eaten.  This is definitely on it.  I love empanadas, so that was a good start.  The oxtail was so tasty.  It was like eating braised short ribs, if that texture and taste is more familiar to you.  For only $9, you get two empanadas.  The sauce/root puree it sits in is a great compliment to the empanadas.  There are three different kinds of empanadas, so if you go with a big group, I recommend 1 order of each.

Shrimp/Crab/Octopus Ceviche

For only $10, you can order a Bocadillo, and for $11-$12, you can order from the Sopas Y Ensaladas section of the menu.  We stuck to the Empanadas, the Antichuchos, and of course, we had to order a Ceviche.  We asked the server for her recommendations, and she recommended the Shrimp/Crab/Octopus Ceviche.  How cool is that plate that it comes in?  This dish is perfect for sharing, or could easily serve as your main course.  It was extremely flavorful and delicious. 

Atlantic Cod Saltado

On to the entrees.  The entrees fall in the high 20s price wise, but the dishes are most certainly unique.  If you have the money to spend, these entrees are both fantastic and you won't find the flavor combinations elsewhere.  I ordered the Atlantic Cod Saltado, with heirloom tomatoes, green onions, french fries, and soy sauce.  It was quite gorgeous looking.  This Cod was perfectly cooked.  For a white fish, it maintained its form well, without becoming a flaky mess.  Now, you all know my love of french fries.  I would never think to make a green onion, tomato, and french fry combo.  I think of french fries mixing with parmesan and parsley, or honey mustard.  French fries with tomatoes and green onions are to die for.  It was so clear that this entree was well thought out and masterfully created.  I loved every bite of it, and I certainly ate every bite of it.  And now I want to try to make french fries with tomatoes and green onions mixed in.  Eating and learning at the same time is rather enjoyable.  This dish is $25.  If you are looking for a nice place to go for a special occasion, this place is worth it.  If the occasion is special, then the food should be special, and this dish felt really special to me.

Churrasco

It came as no surprise that my boyfriend ordered the $25 Churrasco, a hanger steak with yuca hash browns and chimichurri.  He described the steak as being perfectly cooked.  I loved it too.  And the yuca hash browns were delicious.  The idea of hash browns at dinner may seem out of place, but look at how refined those hash browns are?  Again, what a creative dish. 

When you look at the menu, you will see so many familiar words and ingredients, but you have never seen these combinations before.  After trying so many of these perfect combos at Nuela, it restored my desire to eat at restaurants where the menus offer inspired, creative, and eclectic dishes.  Sure, going to The Burger Joint to fill your craving for some basic delicious red meat is great.  Sometimes though, I want a dining experience where everything stands out, and where nothing can be recreated by eating at a different restaurant.  I have not stopped thinking about oxtail empanadas for the past two days, and that is what will draw me back to Nuela.  I have also been craving another hamburger (I just love hamburgers), but I would not run back to one of the many burger places I have been to.  I can fill my burger need anywhere.

Cafe Con Chocolate

We could not leave without dessert. Alex ordered the Cafe Con Chocolate, a delicious cake with coffee ice cream. How pretty does that look? These dishes look like they were prepared for a photoshoot. It looks like the cake is taking a bath. It was a very nice cake.

Piccarones

I ordered the Piccarones, aka, pumpkin doughnuts with whipped cream.  Has anyone else noticed a doughnut trend at restaurants?  It seemed like years ago, people ate doughnuts.  Then, dieting became really hot and swearing off doughnuts was the thing to do.  Now, delicate doughnuts that are prepared with elegance that serve as a dessert, instead of as a bad start to your day, are totally in.  The doughnuts were delicious.  I liked these ones a lot because they look like the plain doughnuts you get at the store, but with the dipping sauce, caramel, whipped cream, etc., they are far superior to store bought doughnuts.  And there were FIVE.  Oh my goodness. 

Nuela is the hot new game in town, and I suggest you make a reservation and see for yourself.  One of the greatest things about Nuela, other than the fact that they change your silverware over for every single dish, is that you can really make the menu fit the style of dinner you want to have.  If you want to go with a group and share a lot of dishes, that is quite feasible.  If you are looking for some killer entrees, you can do that too.  If cocktails and empanadas are what you crave, go for it!