Mercat, NYC

Cost: $53 incl. wine
Overall: Another Spanish winner!

Despite the glut of tapas invading Manhattan this year, Tia Pol has remained my fave Spanish spot... but Mercat now makes that a tougher choice. Surprisingly, it was fully booked on a Wednesday night - luckily we went there early, because the only way they would seat two people was if we agreed to vacate for their 9pm reservation (they suggested this politely though). The rustic-sexy feel of the space is reflected in the food - mushrooms with a runny egg and shoestring fries, marinated razor clams, meltingly tender pork belly. Everything was addictively good, and even the simple pan amb tomaquet (garlic-tomato toast) was amazingly flavorful. I didn't try the desserts this time, but I'm sure I'll be back again!

Mercat is at 45 Bond St, btwn Bowery and Lafayette