Open since Ano 2004, this “Bar of Tapas” in Chelsea is co-owned by Heather Belz, Mani Dawes and chef Alexandra Raij, who share a passion for Spanish cuisine. Chef Raij and sous chef Eder Montero lead the tiny but effective kitchen.
The long and lean tapas bar features soft natural light and a relaxed vibe. It’s kind of how I imagine tapas bars in Spain. I hope to find out if that’s the case.
The bar offers an all Spanish wine list. The blackboard lists a bargain three-course, $16 tasting menu, which changes daily. There’s also an extensive tapas menu, and a lunch menu. With so many enticing options, ordering is a dilemma.
Tia Pol offers plenty of classic tapas, including patatas bravas, brandada, grilled whole shrimp, and tortilla Espanola, and they looked good when they emerged from the kitchen, but we targeted some of the more unusual items. Our first selection was the generous helping of Garbanzos Fritos ($3), which feature crispy skins when fried. Dusted with the Spanish red pepper known as pimenton, I think we just found a popcorn alternative.
Paquetitos de Jamon con alcachofa ($9) were three Jamon Serrano packets filled with artichokes and Manchego, drizzled with olive oil. Simple but delicious.
The most compelling flavor combination arrived in the form of Chorizo Con Chocolate (2 for $3.50), toasts topped with thin-sliced Palacios chorizo and bittersweet chocolate. The spicy sausage and mild chocolate were an intoxicating duo.
Pinchos Marunos (2 for $5) were simple but flavorful grilled lamb skewers, served with bread.
In addition to the ham croquettes, Tia Pol also offers Croquetas del Dia. Friday’s croquettes were salt cod brandade (2 for $4), crisp outside, creamy inside.
I was intrigued by the Carocolillos Barrio Chino (periwinkles, Chinatown style), until Allison informed me those are sea snails, and that she used to pick them out of sandcastles at the beach when she was a kid. Instead, I ordered Navajas Y Almejas (Razor clams and cockles in garlic butter, $7). The garlic butter rendered the clams and cockles supple.
We concluded our seven-course meal with Pescado en Adobo ($5), chunks of crispy marinated mako shark. The light batter was tangy, and the shark meat was surprisingly moist.
Considering there were only two cooks the kitchen, it was amazing how quickly each plate arrived, and that they were so good. The ingredients were all fresh, and there was clearly some creativity, though we weren’t tempted by dessert: orange flan, red wine sorbet floating in Coca-Cola, and almond confection with almond ice cream.
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