Tia Pol Review: A Slice of Spain In Chelsea
The following is more than just a restaurant review; it's also the story of how I first discovered one of my favorite dishes. Let me set the scene for you:
It's been over ten years, but I remember it like it was yesterday: venturing out into the streets of Barcelona with my two travel companions, street map in hand. We were on a mission: to avoid overpriced, underwhelming tourist traps and find an authentic Spanish tapas bar. We’d gotten a tip from the locals who ran the youth hostel where we were staying, so we had a feeling we were on the right track.
This particular place was definitely off the beaten path, but once we arrived, we found that our journey was well worth the effort. The place was small, the staff was friendly, and the food was amazing. Sadly, I don’t remember the name of this particular tapas bar, so the likelihood that I’ll ever be able to return is pretty slim. However, I remember the food well; of all the dishes we shared among the three of us, the most memorable had to be the patatas bravas.
After returning to my real life stateside, I often had visions of aioli-covered potatoes dancing in my head, causing my tummy to growl with nostalgia. Fortunately, the New York City restaurant scene serves as a vast landscape of cuisines from all over the world, so I set out on a quest to find local restaurants that served my new favorite potato-based dish.
Patatas bravas at Tia Pol
My search for patatas bravas that lived up to the ones I tried at that tiny hole-in-the-wall in Barcelona came to an end the first time I dined at Tia Pol. Inside this small, railroad style space (steps away from the Highline), the decor was one part industrial and two parts Spanish kitchen, and the food transported me to another place and time. I took one bite of those perfectly crisp potatoes, and I was instantly hooked. The aioli was perfect, with just the right balance of salt and spice. I tried the lamb skewers next, which were almost impossibly flavorful, tender, and juicy, and seemed to be flavored with spices you could only find in a faraway land. It took the sound of the waiter’s voice to snap me out of my flavor-induced euphoria. Before the check even arrived, I knew that I’d be back for more.
Lamb skewers
Deviled Eggs
Over the years, I’ve taken several friends to Tia Pol, and every single one enjoyed the experience as much as I do. I have to admit though: I am so deeply committed to my favorite menu items that there are still several dishes I have yet to try. Aside from the patatas bravas, some of my other menu favorites include the deviled eggs, fried chickpeas, and of course, the lamb skewers. There are also a variety of impressive daily specials that range from skirt steak to sea bass. So, while I may never be able to relive that experience in Barcelona, I take solace in knowing that Tia Pol is just a subway ride away.
Skirt steak special (not a regular menu item, but it was delicious!)
Tia Pol is located at 205 10th Ave New York, NY 10011