"El Quinto Pino — part of Alex Raij and Eder Montero’s successful mini-empire of tapas restaurants in NYC — has been around, and consistently packed, since 2007. The uni panino, with sea urchin and mustard oil pressed between crispy bread slices and served casually in wax paper, has long been a lauded hit. More traditional small plates compose most of the menu, including well-executed classics like shrimp in garlic oil, pan con tomate, and white anchovy fillets. If El Quinto Pino is packed, be sure to stop by Txikito, another tapas restaurant by Rajj and Montero, but focused on Basque cuisine." - Alexandra Ilyashov, Izzie Ramirez