La Zarza 
Location 166 First Avenue At 10th Street, New York, NY 10009
Phone Number 212-477-1111
Cuisine Argentinean and Spanish
Owners Mario Larrea
Partners Tomas Antelo, Corey Lane and Roberto Buchelli
Dining Hours La Zarza is open seven days a week
Sun – Thurs: 6pm – midnight
Fri – Sat: 6pm – 2am
Sat – Sun Brunch: 11am – 3 pm
Price Range Small Plates: $5 – $14
Large Plates: $8 – $25
Dessert: $7
Credit Cards Visa, Mastercard, American Express
Reservations Recommended
Upstairs Bar
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La Zarza is a lively, sophisticated tavern in New York’s perennially hip East Village. Owner and visionary Mario Larrea has created a destination that intertwines his indigenous Spanish cuisine and culture at this sexy restaurant and lounge, where guests will be offered a rare combination of eclectic food, global sounds and cosmopolitan style.
The harmonious combination of cultures is housed in a candle-lit, rustic space with chocolate brown walls, and Spanish inspired décor. Partners Corey Lane, Tomas Antelo and Roberto Buchelli will further enhance the chic lounge atmosphere, while international DJ’s set the mood with soft, global sounds creating a smooth rhythmic intoxicating environment.
Downstairs
At a young age, Larrea was immersed in the restaurant industry, learning the ins-and-outs of the business and quickly falling in love with the epicurean lifestyle. He followed this passion and pursued careers at some of the best-known dining and nightlife establishments in the world, such as Kapital in Madrid, Cel and Pacha in Barcelona and Heaven in Ibiza. Larrea moved to New York City where he has executed his vision for its dining scene at La Zarza.
At La Zarza, Larrea is passionate about sharing the much-loved flavors of Argentina and Spain with New Yorkers, embracing the diverse cuisine while also incorporating Middle Eastern, African and Asian influences into dishes. The menu at La Zarza pairs unexpected and unique flavors, colors and textures to develop truly contemporary yet authentic Argentinean and Spanish specialties.
Featuring small and large plates, the menu showcases a wide range of ingredients and flavors to satisfy any palate. The food is surprisingly god. Signature appetizers include Almond Stuffed Dates, wrapped with Argentinean Smoked Bacon, served with Hearts of Palm, Jicama and Cabrales Cheese, and Crocantitos, Crispy Calamari Argentine Honey and Micro Greens Salad. Guests can converse over the shareable Tapas dishes such as Quesos del Mercado, Jam on Serena and cheese from Spain and Argentina with a side of Blackberry Marmalade. The two top tapas (no pun intended) are the chicken and beef empanadas (perhaps the best we have had in New York, and a terrific quince-glazed boneless shortribs.Chupe, the ubiquitous soup/stew of many South American countries, is also well executed, if a bit gentrified.
No homage to Argentinean cuisine would be complete without slow cooked steaks like the Entrana al Hierro Grilled Skirt Steak, served with a warm Chimichurri and Grilled Asparagus; or the Ojo De Bife Patagonico, a Patagonian Rib Eye Steak with Patatas Bravas and two homemade Chimichurris. Guests can also choose from three different ceviches: Langosta, Maine Lobster Meat, Mangos, Aji Amarillo and Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, Camaron, Shrimp with Lemon Oil, Fresh Lime, Celery, Jalapeno and Cilantro, and Conchitas, Bay Scallops, Salsa Verde, Avocado and Pico de Gallo – all served with popcorn, in traditional Argentinean style. Entrées include the Pato Con Moras, Magret of Duck, topped with Blackberries and Spanish White Sweet Potatoes, as well as the comforting Canelones filled with Sweet Corn, Crab Meat, topped with a Saffron Béchamel.
As a contrast to the rich and savory flavors of the appetizers and entrees, the dessert menu offers sweet indulgences like Empanadas Portenas, a selection of authentic pastries and The Panqueques, caramelized Dulce Del Leche crepes finished with juicy black berries.
A customized sangria menu offers guests the combination of wine and seasonal fresh fruit mixtures. Seasonal fruits and purees are blended with different varietals to create unique sangria and clericos that complement the distinctive flavors of the cuisine.
The extensive wine list is a compilation of smooth reds and crisp whites from Argentina and Spain, carefully selected to further enrich the culinary adventure. The real thrill come form the incredible Sangria. Three versions of a base, which could include, muddled fruit, various liqueurs, rums or brandy, simple sugar syrup and your choice of fresh fruit. Now here’s the kicker. You select any wine from the list and it is poured fresh at the table. The price, of course, depends on the wine you chose, plus the charge of your base. Amazing!
The music track is sexy and so is Partner/manager Tomas Antelo. Service is casual but friendly. And that’s the whole point of La Zarza. Highly recommended.
Mario (left) and Thomas (right)
La Zarza
166 1st Ave – At 10th St
New York, NY 10009
212 477-1111
SAMPLE MENU
Appetizers
Chupe De Camaron shrimp chowder, root vegetables, achiote oil 8.00
Crocantitos crispy calamari, argentine honey, micro green salad 8.00
Pulpo A La Gallega grilled spanish octopus, white bean salad and lemon preserves 9.00
Langosta A La Gallega maine lobsters, patagonian mushrooms, andean purple potatoes, chorizo oil and smoked paprika herb and garlic butter 14.00
Datiles almond stuffed dates wrapped on argentine smoked bacon, heart of palms, jicama salad, cabrales cheese 8.00
Costillas Al Membrillo quince glazed boneless short ribs, grilled onions salad 8.00
Quesos Del Mercados selection of spanish cheese, argentine marmalade 9.00
Empanadas Portenas savory pastries from buenos aires 6.00
Ceviches – Camaron lemon oil, fresh lime celery jalapeno juice, cilantro 8.00
Ceviches – Langosta maine lobster meat, mango aji amarillo, roasted cherry tomatoes 9.00
Ceviches – Conchitas bay scallops salsa verde, avocado, pico de gallo 8.00
Tapas $5
Marinated Olives
Croquetas almond chorizo, chick peas and potatoes
Morcilla Al Fierro argentinean blood sausage, glazed pearl onions
Chorizo Al Fierro grilled spanish chorizo
Gambas Al Ajillo
Choice of 4 Tapas $20.
Salads
Remolacha roasted red and yellow beets, haricots verts, goat cheese foam, tossed with a roasted garlic vinaigrette 8.00
Ensalada Criolla upland cress cherry tomatoes, watermelon radishes rosemary oil 8.00
Mollejas Y Radicheta picket red onions, roasted black berries, seared sweet breads, chimichurri vinaigrette 10.00
Zarza From The Grill
Entrada Al Hierro grilled skirt steak, warm chimichurri, saffron bechamel 20.00
Ojo De Bife Patagonico patagonian rib eye steak, patatas, bravas two chimichurris 25.00
El Churrasco De Tomas paillard of beef tenderloin, mixed organic greens 19.00
Entrees
Canelones fresh sweet corn, crab meat, saffron, bechamel 16.00
Polo Del Mitico roasted breast of chicken, fingerling potatoes, sweet peas chorizo, roasted red peppers, pearl onions 17.00
Paella De La Zarza cebolla rice, shrimp clams, mussels, scallops chicken, lobster calamari tomato salad 24.00
Pato Con Moras magret of duck, blackberries, spanish, white sweet potatoes 20.00
Salmon potato crusted salmon, garlicky swiss chard, mango mustard sauce 18.00
Side Orders $5
Patatas Bravas
Haricots verts Garlic & Oil
Creamy Swiss Chard
Chufa Rice
White Sweet Met Potato Mash
Grilled Asparagus
Desserts $7
Torre De Arroz Con Leche rice pudding tower, cinnamon crisp, creme anglaise
Lavender Flans dulce de leche creme brulee
Panqueques caramelized dulce de leche crepes
Empanadas De Chocolates chocolate filled empanadas with creme anglaise
After Dinner Drinks
10 Years Port Quinta Do Noval 9.00
20 Years Port Quinato Do Noval 12.00
Moscatel Senoiro De Sarria 8.00
Godiva Caramel 10.00
Sambuca 8.00
Frangelico 8.00
Kahlua 8.00
Bailey’s 8.00
Remy Martin Vsop 12.00
Hennessy Vsop 12.00
Courvoisier Vsop 15.00
Espresso 3.00
Cappuccino 4.00
Latte 4.00
Coffee 2.50
Tea
