Pipa

Pipa is a tapas restaurant-come-ABC Carpet sales tool. It shares a space with the home décor store and is adorned with a sea of chandeliers and lamps, all with price tags hanging. It’s an odd concept but it works, creating a wildly colorful setting for tapas that are just as vibrant. The atmosphere felt nearly whimsical on a cold, rainy Friday evening.

Pipa seems to draw large parties, there to celebrate with pitchers of sangria and selections from the menu of small plates split into tapas, charcuterie, quesos, croquetas and cocas (open faced flat bread sandwiches). We were indeed there to celebrate as well, as a close friend had just run the marathon and I had taken my spirits exam. Being a big group, we sampled a bevy of dishes. A “pulpo gallego”, sautéed octopus with roasted potatoes and black olives was in dainty octopus rounds, bursting with earthy, spicy flavors as was a “Gambas al ajillo”, a shrimp with garlic and chiles. My two tortilla Espanola (Spanish omelette) critics both approved of a pure tortilla, served in a wedge, dotted with hearty potatoes. We sampled two cocas, both served on crisp bread with towering toppings of mushroom, caramelized onion, dried fig, Serrano ham and toasted almonds and another with sobrasada, artichoke, tomato, piquillo peppers and manchego cheese. I loved the interplay of sweet and savory with the crispness of the bread. We also ordered a peach cobbler, a chocolate flan, and a chocolate cake which were decent though wildly overshadowed by the tapas. Service was spot-on with tapas served in duets, rather than overloading the table at once.

Pipa started off on a bad foot – having lost my reservation after failing to confirm with me in advance. But they recovered gracefully, wooing us with free sangria and scrounging up a table within twenty minutes or so. From then on, it was a fully enjoyable meal. I’d return to Pipa anytime to sample more of the menu.

Pipa- 38 E 19^th Street Between Broadway and Park Ave South
Cuisine- Tapas
Word to the Wise- Provide the restaurant with a number where you can be reached for confirmation.

Filed under Restaurant Reviews, Tapas | Comments (5)