Bartolo
Spanish restaurant · West Village ·
Madrid-style taverna serving Spanish classics and wines
Madrid-style taverna serving Spanish classics and wines
"A West Village Spanish restaurant from Basque spot Ernesto on the Lower East Side, this one is already recommended in the Michelin Guide." - Nadia Chaudhury
"I found a little West Village hideout that feels like a secret, all amber‑hued intimacy from a cozy front bar to thick wood beams and handsome banquettes. The rich, hearty Spanish cooking is meant for sharing—start with cristal bread with butter and anchovies or an ajo blanco with honeydew sorbet, then move on to larger plates like grilled Iberian pork, oxtails braised in red wine, and roasted suckling pig and lamb. A lengthy cocktail list and sharply dressed servers keep the night moving." - The MICHELIN Guide
"Tripe with blood sausage at this newly opened spot from the folks behind Ernesto’s is actually glorious: callos madreliños ($36) in a saucy, savory bath, scented with garlic and brightened with tomatoes, punctuated by a cut of morcilla—an ideal crossover dish to fall. Summer hasn’t fully left the menu (gazpacho at $9 and a honeydew‑forward appetizer at $25 among others), and I paired the tripe with a cuttlefish main and a side of beans with housemade chorizo ($22) for an exciting dinner out. The tiny bar is enthralling, with the front of two rooms as snug as the cabin of a luxurious sailboat." - Bettina Makalintal
"A cute little bistro a few steps below sidewalk level, this new Spanish spot from the Ernesto’s team was absolutely bustling on a Thursday evening. I loved being tucked into a convivial, luxe-yet-comfy back dining room while chef Ryan Bartlow, in his chef hat, wove through the Madrid-styled tavern checking on guests and dishes. The ajo blanco ($25) was as delightful as described—refreshing with spheres of melon—but the arroz del dia ($55) stole the show: a square pan filled with squab slices, rice cooked in squab, and mushrooms that looked like a work of art and tasted umami-packed with comforting textures; even the neighboring table asked what we’d ordered." - Nadia Chaudhury
"Make sure you really like your dining partner at Bartolo in the West Village. The maze-like second restaurant from Ernesto’s is so romantic, there’s a good chance you’ll fall head-over-heels for whoever you’re sharing a banquette with. At the very least you’ll be in love with the ajo blanco with ripe melon balls on your table. We also developed serious feelings for a plate of huevos fritos with garlicky shrimp—essentially fancy disco fries—and other rich, elegant dishes inspired by Madrid’s taverns: like crisp chicharron with marcona almonds, and garlicky champiñones that read like snails. For groups of four and six, Bartolo will eventually introduce meals for pre-order, built around suckling pig or lamb." - Bryan Kim, Molly Fitzpatrick, Willa Moore, Will Hartman, Sonal Shah
