"Andy Nusser's Gramercy tapas counter has held a Michelin star since 2009 — book it for a lively, talkative first date."
About Casa Mono
Andy Nusser opened Casa Mono in 2003 at 52 Irving Place with Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich, and the kitchen has held a Michelin star every year since 2009. It is a tapas counter built on the cooking of Spain's Costa Brava, where Nusser grew up: foie gras with cinco cebollas at $38, razor clams a la plancha off the flat-top, scrambled eggs with sea urchin. Thirty-odd seats, most of them at a bar that looks straight into the pans. Dinner runs $70 to $110 a head before the all-Spanish wine list.
The Kitchen
Andy Nusser is the chef and a partner at Casa Mono, and the reason the cooking reads as Catalan rather than generic Spanish: he grew up in Cadaqués on the Costa Brava and ran the stoves at Babbo before opening here in 2003 with Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich. The format is tapas, but the ambition belongs to a full kitchen. The foie gras with cinco cebollas at $38 is the signature, the seared liver set against five preparations of onion; razor clams a la plancha come straight off the flat-top with garlic and parsley; the bone marrow arrives with tomato jam and pickled watermelon; and the scrambled eggs with sea urchin are the plate the Michelin inspectors single out. The list runs deep into Spain, heavy on Galicia, Catalonia and sherry. Plates land at $15 to $40, with most diners spending $70 to $110 before wine. The Michelin star has been there every year since 2009, which for a tapas bar this small is its own statement. Casa Mono anchors our guide to the best Spanish restaurants worldwide; reservations open on Resy a few weeks out.
The Room
Casa Mono is small and loud in the best way, around thirty seats packed into a corner room at Irving Place and 17th Street. Most of the seating is counter, elbow to elbow, facing a line of cooks working two burners and a plancha an arm's length away. Lighting is warm and low, the noise is conversation pitched up over sizzling pans, and tables are close enough that you will hear your neighbour's order. There is no dress code. Sit at the counter if you can; it is the show and the best seat for a date.
Best for a First Date
Book Casa Mono for a first date when you want energy rather than hush, for three reasons. The counter sits you side by side facing the cooks, which kills the across-the-table interview stiffness that sinks first dates. The tapas format means you order a stream of small plates and share everything, so there is always a next thing to try and talk about. And the bill, $70 to $110 a head, stays unfussy for a Michelin-starred room. Take the counter, start with the razor clams, and let the kitchen set the pace. For more rooms that keep it easy, see our first date guide.
Not for
Not for a quiet, lingering conversation or a large group: the room is loud, the seats are tight, and most of them are at a packed counter.
Frequently Asked
Is Casa Mono worth it?
Yes, if you want a Michelin-starred kitchen without the hush and the markup. Casa Mono is Andy Nusser's tapas counter at 52 Irving Place, and it has held a Michelin star every year since 2009 while charging $15 to $40 a plate. The foie gras with cinco cebollas at $38 and the razor clams a la plancha are the dishes that earned the star. Most diners spend $70 to $110 a head before wine, which is a bargain for the cooking.
How hard is it to book Casa Mono?
Book on Resy, where tables open about four weeks out and weekend prime time goes quickly for a room this small. Counter seats are the prize and the toughest to land, so check back for cancellations on the day. Early and late weeknight slots are the easiest, and walk-ins sometimes work at the bar. See our New York dining guide for more Gramercy and Union Square tables.
What should I order at Casa Mono?
Order the foie gras with cinco cebollas at $38 first, then the razor clams a la plancha and the scrambled eggs with sea urchin, the three plates the kitchen is known for. Add the bone marrow with tomato jam if the table is hungry, and lean on the staff to steer you through the offal and the daily specials. Pair it with sherry or a Galician white from the all-Spanish list, which is the room's quiet strength.
Is Casa Mono good for solo dining?
Yes, the counter makes it one of the better solo seats in Gramercy. Eating alone here means a front-row view of the plancha, a bartender within reach, and a tapas format that suits ordering three or four plates for one. The room is loud enough that a solo diner never feels conspicuous. Arrive early or late on a weeknight for the best shot at a counter stool. See our solo dining in New York guide for more counters worth eating at alone.
Visit
Book on Resy
Reservations open on Resy about four weeks out. Counter seats are the prize; check for same-day cancellations.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
Address52 Irving Place, New York, NY 10003
NeighbourhoodGramercy / Union Square
CuisineSpanish (Catalan / Costa Brava)
Price$70–110 pp; plates $15–40
Dress CodeNo dress code
Seating~30; counter-led
ReservationResy
DietaryVegetable tapas available; offal-heavy menu
