rgf, with regards to your question about Spanish restaurants in New York City, my ladyfriend and I went there for a 4-day weekend over her birthday in March. What fun we had!!! Stayed in my sister's one-bedroom, but very nice flat in Chelsea (you wouldn't believe how much she and her husband were paying per month in rent -- or maybe you would!).
Anyway, for my ladyfriend's birthday dinner we went to a place that was in all the tour guides called "Toledo". And yes, it was absolutely Spanish!! This place was elegant!! WOW! I felt so out of place in my jeans, tennis shoes, and short-sleeved button-down shirt, but we happened upon it by chance after a long day of walking/touring at about 8pm. Luckily, it wasn't too busy and didn't need a reservation. They had chandeliers everywhere, dimly lighted, big dining room with many/ONLY Spaniards dignitaries sitting about, speaking in their castellano and catalan. It was the same with our tuxedo'd camarero/waiter. We had the most wonderful/authentic Spanish meal
AND REALLY PAID FOR IT TOO!!! We both agreed that it was the
MOST expensive meal we'd ever had in our lives. I probably shouldn't say, but what the heck. With tip, it was about $180. I honestly didn't care because it was in a beautiful restaurant, real Spanish food, AND, most important, my ladyfriend's birthday. I had pollo al ajillo and my ladyfriend had the ternera. It was located just across the street from The Empire State Building. This was the night AFTER we went to see the Broadway play "Annie Get Your Gun" on Time's Square. GREAT weekend we had. Alas, the sister and husband have since moved to south-of-London and I/we probably won't go back to NYC anytime soon ($$$).
Saludos, MadridMan
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