My husband and I have our go-to spots, the places that never disappoint and always feel like a treat. For years, Socarrat Paella Bar in Midtown has been high on that list. It’s our favorite destination for authentic Spanish cuisine, and we’ve celebrated countless occasions over their incredible food. This year, we booked a table for Valentine’s Day, looking forward to our traditional celebration.
Life, however, had other plans. A couple of hours before we were set to leave, we got a call from the restaurant. A water main break on their block had forced them to close for the night. While we appreciated the heads-up, we were certainly disappointed. We scrambled to find another place for our Valentine’s dinner, but let’s just say the experience was so forgettable that it’s not even worth mentioning here. It just made us miss Socarrat even more.
Thankfully, we had the foresight to rebook immediately. The next night, we finally made our way to the cozy, inviting restaurant, and it was everything we had been anticipating.
Sensational Tapas
One of the things I love most about Socarrat is their appetizers. You can easily make a meal out of their tapas alone. Over the years, we’ve tried many of them, but we always return to a few favorites that have become essential to our dining experience.
We usually start with the Gambas al Ajillo (Shrimp Ajillo), which arrives sizzling in garlic and oil. The shrimp are always perfectly cooked, and the infused oil is ideal for dipping bread into. We also couldn’t resist the Dátiles con Tocino—bacon-wrapped dates. The combination of sweet and salty is simply divine. We also typically order the Chorizo con Patatas Fritas, a savory dish of Spanish chorizo served with crisp, house-made potato chips. But this time, we went straight for the Paella.
The Main Event: Paella Perfection
The main reason to visit Socarrat is for its namesake dish: paella. They are masters of this classic Spanish specialty, served in a traditional wide, shallow pan. The best part is the “socarrat” itself—the deliciously crispy, caramelized layer of rice at the bottom of the pan that every paella aficionado craves.
We decided on the Carne Paella, a hearty, flavorful mix of short ribs, chorizo, and chicken. Paired with a lovely bottle of Spanish red wine, it was the perfect centerpiece for our belated Valentine’s dinner. The rice was rich with the flavors of the meats and spices, and every spoonful was a delight. It was comforting, satisfying, and exactly the amazing meal we had been looking forward to all week.
A Sweet Conclusion
Even after a generous serving of paella, we had to save room for dessert. We opted to share a slice of their classic cheesecake. It was the perfect ending to our meal—creamy, rich, but not overly heavy. It felt like a final, celebratory note to an experience that had been delayed but was well worth the wait.
Our Valentine’s Day may not have gone according to the original plan, but the meal we had at Socarrat the following night more than made up for it. The service was warm and attentive, the atmosphere was as lively and welcoming as ever, and the food was simply outstanding. It was a powerful reminder that sometimes, the best things are worth waiting for.
If you’re looking for a good Spanish restaurant in the heart of Manhattan, I can’t recommend Socarrat Paella Bar enough. You can check out their menu and make a reservation on their website: https://socarratnyc.com/midtown-east/.