La Vara

La Vara Restaurant Review:

Alex Raij (El Quinto Pino and Txikito in Chelsea) is behind this smallest of tapas joints in Cobble Hill. The narrow spot has a quiet garden out back, so try to score one of the prime seats under the trees. Many affordable wines by the glass are available on a list that leans toward Spanish offerings. Raij’s menu offers her signature fried chickpeas as well as other Spanish standards such as anchovies and cured olives and sardines. The escalivada salad with charred peppers, leeks, okra and romesco or the moje salad with tuna and Marcona almonds are a lighter bite before the half roast chicken is delivered to the table. For dessert, the rice pudding is a crowd-pleaser, but instead head towards the orange blossom-scented date and walnut tart with lemon curd and sweet cream. Beverages include draft beers, sangria and cocktails.