A great tapas bar and restaurant on the fringe of Chelsea's gallery district, Tia Pol established itself immediately as an authentic purveyor of authentic Spanish cuisine and keeps going strong. Small plates of seafood, cheese, meats, potatoes, croquetas, and other hot & cold specialties are augmented by a great wine and beer list. Definitely try the delightful patatas bravas, the lamb skewers, the octopus, the head-on shrimp, and perhaps a cheese plate or one of the specials. While the restaurant is quite small, the service is very attentive and the atmosphere is pleasant. Indeed, in a dozen dining experiences over the course of a year, we never had a single negative; everything was always excellent and served with flair. Dining at the bar is also possible, and the eclectic mix of people makes it a fun experience. Although we initially feared that once all the major media outlets discovered Tia Pol it would become more difficult to score a table, it nevertheless underscores this restaurant's tremendous success.

Hint: arrive early or quite late. Brunch is also a pleasant and relaxed affair here, especially in summer and early autumn when the restaurant's floor-to-ceiling glass doors are kept wide-open.