Bazár Tapas Bar & Restaurant

Come to the Bazár!  There’s treasure to be found!

Nestled among the eateries on the mini-restaurant row found on 26th Street between Broadway and 6th Avenue, you’ll find a hidden gem called Bazár Tapas Bar and Restaurant.  Being that it’s a few short blocks from our home, we decided to give it a try, based solely on its location.  We enjoyed our first visit so much, we’ve now dined there a second time.  It did not disappoint!  The food is fantastic, the service is friendly and efficient and the atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, with a bustling local crowd.

Opened in 2017, Bazár’s menu combines influences of various national cuisines.  To my mind, there’s definitely a Mediterranean feel, mixing Spanish, French and Italian style dishes, with some decidedly American touches. This deliciously mixed bag of cultural offerings allows diners to take a culinary journey of sorts, with varied global flavors and styles from which to choose.

Our cocktails were the perfect way to wake our palates. I chose the Lover’s Poison; which combined tequila and mezcal, with fresh lime and a cinnamon hibiscus syrup. Fruity and light, with a pleasantly bitter undertone, it brought to mind the flavor of Campari, while the candied ginger garnish added a sweet heat.  Vincent tried the Forbidden Sour, made with bourbon, pomegranate liqueur and fresh lime. Also fruity, and not too bourbon-forward, there was a nice balance between the dark flavor of the liquor and the brightness of the pomegranate and lime. 

To start the meal, we shared a number of appetizers and tapas. The oysters were fresh, cold and clean tasting - small-ish, but still wonderful.  The Watermelon Salad featured huge chunks of fresh, sweet watermelon, piled high with arugula and red and green cherry tomatoes, all topped with a feta cheese crumble.  The lemon-sherry vinaigrette was just enough to highlight the natural flavors of the fruit without masking them, and while each ingredient could be tasted, the dressing brought them all together cohesively.

The Grilled Octopus was tender, with just the right amount of chew, and when combined with the olives, tomatoes and arugula, it tasted like the Mediterranean on a plate!  The Gambas al Ajillo - broiled shrimp in garlic - was absolutely spectacular!  The shrimp were perfectly cooked and the combination of herbs, garlic and tiny slices of Calabrian chili was mouthwatering!  We actually asked for more bread to sop up the excess garlicky oil!  

The Crispy Brussels Sprouts were loaded with bacon-y goodness and the Roasted Cauliflower came served on a bed of deliciously tomatoey Romesco sauce which added an acidic bite!

Vincent also ordered the Truffle-Lobster Mac & Cheese, a hearty dish made with a creamy béchamel sauce, chunks of fresh lobster, penne pasta and truffle oil.  The penne was the perfect medium to stand up to the heavier ingredients, yet the dish didn’t feel too heavy.  Steaming hot, the crispy crust added texture and the truffle gave it a fabulous depth of flavor!

Now, as if that wasn’t enough, we each ordered a main course!  Vincent chose the Lemon Chicken - egg battered chicken cutlets served in a subtly lemony sauce made with garlic and white wine. Vaguely reminiscent of a traditional piccata, the chicken was tender and juicy, yet never overpowered by the sauce.  I went with the Short Ribs. The black angus beef short ribs were braised to a falling-apart tenderness and seasoned perfectly. The dish came served with a mushroom mousse that lent the dish an umami deliciousness and there was a bit of heat from the spice on the roasted potatoes. And while the root vegetables seemed a tad undercooked, the rioja sauce gave the dish a hint of sweetness that still allowed the beefy flavor to shine through!

Finally, we shared a dessert; the Malibu Cheesecake. This creamy no-bake cheesecake, served with a fresh berry compote was the perfect end to the meal. Not overly sweet, it was yummy and surprisingly light!  

I truly believe that we enjoyed our second visit to Bazár Tapas Bar and Restaurant even more than the first!  Our server, a lovely young woman named Anahi, took great care of us!  She was also terribly patient with me, as I was constantly asking for boxes to pack up the food I couldn’t finish - a side effect of my weight loss surgery!  

Since our last time at Bazár, I’ve recommended this wonderful eatery to several friends, all of whom have enjoyed it as much as we have. I know we’ll definitely be returning soon for another short trip to the Mediterranean.