So, I thought I had gone to this great Spanish restaurant the other night, but I was wrong.
There was a time long, long ago, like even back in the 90s, when Spanish food meant you went to a place decorated like Don Quixote’s mom’s couch and chose between the double lobster, the chops, and a paella. Then tapas took over and now the small tasty plate of something covered in pork is among the best food you can get in the city. We were fortunate to learn that hog fat is totally good for you, while a tub of paella is not.
Now, if I step into a place and they’re making things that look like tapas, and there’s good ham, I think I’m in a Spanish place, but I can be wrong. The genre of tapas itself lends itself well to eating out well without having to stick with a monolithic plate of something or other. Not sure what to pick? Try a bit of everything. It’s a trend so faded that it’s now just mainstream.
But Casellula wasn’t a Spanish restaurant. That explains the well-selected international wine list and the “Pig Ass sandwich.” The name (sounded like Casa Lulu to me) and the appetizers had me going. Turns out, on sober reflection, that it’s a cheese place. That explains that giant case of cheese in the back. Here’s what I split with my friends:
Stuffed Peppadew Peppers / Buffalo Mozzarella / Speck – wow
Chistorras in a Blanket / Radish Pico de Gringo – wow
Pig’s Ass Sandwich / Fiscalini Cheddar / Fol Epi / B&B Pickles / Chipotlé Aioli – double wow
There were some other little plates flying around, I think the beets.
Everything was fantastic. The place was packed until well past midnight, the staff was great. You wonder what this place is doing on West 52nd, but it’s great to see a place like this doing so well over there.