Boqueria Awards

Boqueria Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant & décor: Boqueria chose the fashionable Fulton Market district for its seventh location, an apt spot for its youthful energy fueled by the tech companies taking over the lofty warehouses in the neighborhood. An illuminated tapas bar woos diners as soon as they walk in, a feast for the senses carried throughout the convivial space decked out with white oak and metal shelves, black-glazed tiles and communal tables. It's loud in here – in a good way, no doubt from the gaggles of friends enjoying bites of patatas bravas and pitchers of sangría.

Likes: Graze all you want here. The portions are meant for sharing – no matter the size of your group.
Dislikes: None.

Food & Drinks: Executive chef Mark Vidal doesn't stray from the classics, from charcuterie to Spanish cheese. You can still order a platter of paella de mariscos teeming with monkfish, bomba rice, sepia, squid, mussels, clams and salsa verde. Simple pan con tomate is addictive Catalan comfort food with its rub of olive oil, garlic and tomato on grilled stirato bread. The four-course brunch feast ($42 per person) might be the best value in the city, and certainly unlimited mimosas and sangría don't hurt. Desserts include churros with hot chocolate. An all-Spanish wine list plus Spanish beer and local brews (Off Color Brewing, for example) keep spirits high. Look for unique selections such as red and white vermouth on the rocks served with seltzer and mix-and-match garnishes, a nod to a Spanish tradition.