** READ THIS ARTICLE FROM A FIRST TIME "FOOD CRITIC" **
I had the pleasure of returning to Sala a second time around, for a birthday party that I threw for a friend along with 6 coworkers. I chose this location after having been there once for my own birthday party.
However, I never gave Sala much thought after that one-time outing. And I regret having done so. Last night at Sala made me reevaluate the great value of this restaurant.
The decor, with its rich outside of Barcelona-esque look, and the lively contemporary music of Nelly Furtado and Amy Winehouse set the scene. The service was beyond 5 star, with the manager even fetching our coats for us. The pleasant & beautiful waitress never missed a beat & was right there when we needed her.
We came there after going to another bar with only a small appetite. But once the vibrant perfume of garlic, thyme and rosemary perked up our olfactory senses, we found it irresistible to refuse the delicacy that greeted us.
Dining was a delight. mariscos, Calamari, Potatoes and goat cheese fritters baptized in honey made for a diversely appetizing meal enjoyed by all. And, given our party's eclectic tastes and requirements (Vegetarian, Kosher, certain allergies) the meal was properly balanced and a feastful pleasure unto all.
It is rare for a food critic to ever feel any compunction about attacking a restaurant for poor service or the like. It is even rarer when one feels compelled to give a restaurant great accolade.
But when a restaurant such as Sala compels this patron to subscribe to online news magazine to write his very first ever praise for a restaurant, then that truly sets the mark for how amazing Sala restaurant.
It is in my opinion that Sala may be the greatest authentic Spanish cuisine restaurant in all of New York. Go there with a hearty appetite for food and merriment and you shall not be disappointed.
Pros: Delicious food, cozy decor, wonderful ambiance
Cons: None to my mind (honestly!)
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