Toro

New restaurants open in New York on a daily basis, swiftly becoming the new 'hot spot'. Reservations come at a premium and are only available for months in advance. The dining floor is jam packed of only A-list of celebrities and New York socialites. 

Yeah you get the picture.

Toro is one of New York's latest editions. Think Boston meets Barcelona, staking it's claim in South Chelsea. Created by co-owners and co-chefs Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette the former Nabisco Factory has a relaxed yet rather exclusive vibe, whilst boasting a delicious menu and tantalising cocktail list. 

In typical Spanish tradition the extensive menu is comprised of tapas dishes made with regional Spanish flavours and local market-fresh ingredients. Little belly big eyes over here decided to order a few too many dishes hello New York's amazing doggy bags coming in handy at this point, but honestly it was ridiculously tough even trying to decide between the seared foie gras with piquillo pepper or the hand carved iberian jam or even the serrano wrapped rabbit paté? Everything's just so mouth wateringly good.

To top it off we chose to sit at the bar and got to watch the owners-come-chefs hard at work cooking and preparing all these wonderful dishes. 

Having studied the menu extensively before visiting I was planning my meal around that wonderful sounding paella. And by George, wasn't it fantastic.

First off, tortilla española with the most delicious garlic aioli.

The oh so decident and devilishly rich, asado de huesos - bone marrow with beef cheek marmalade. 

And now for the triumphant little number. The paella valenciana. Just unreal. 

Look at that rice, in all it's sticky gloriousness.

So sometimes corn on the cob can be pretty overrated. The actual eating time compared with the timing picking all the bits out of your teeth and getting butter dripping all over your hands. Especially in a restaurant, for me corn is normally a no no. Prior to arriving at Toro a a friend said that I had to get the corn. Well this little recommendation was greatly appreciated, literally finger-licking good. 

With Ken Oringer highly amused by how well I got seriously stuck in, I polished off every single piece regardless of the messy consequences. Thankfully he handed me a huge pile of wet towels to mop up my mucky face/chin/hands/fingers.

Find Toro at 85 10th Ave (entrance at 15th St & 11th Ave) and be sure to book well in advance (click here to book online). Or if you fancy a sponantious trip you could always be lucky and nab a spot at the bar to see the genii chef's at work.