El Born, Brooklyn

A Spanish hide-out that wipes the floor with most “scene-y” spots on the island. After dining at Salinas the night before, the contrast was a delicious wake-up call—El Born feels like the neighborhood casa you’ve always wished for. 🌟 Grilled Octopus 🐙 Tentacles so springy-tender they bounce on the plate. A whisper of smoked paprika, a kiss of citrus, and the char from the plancha give every bite that perfect beach-bar-in-San-Sebastián vibe. It outclasses the over-hyped legs at Piccola Cucina by miles—no contest. 🌟 Oxtail & Basil Lasagna 🧀 Molten oxtail that’s been slow-braised until it hugs itself in beefy bliss, layered between silky lasagna sheets and a cloud-light French basil-béchamel. Think Sunday ragù meets Provençal summer garden—comfort-food fusion at its finest. 🌟 Seafood Paella – Squid-Ink Edition 🦑 Ink-kissed bomba rice, ocean-sweet stock, and a textbook socarrat that crackles like a vinyl record. Clams, shrimp and baby squid dot the pan like edible confetti; the most authentic paella I’ve had in ages, straight-up transporting. 🌟 Seafood “Paella” – Rice-Noodle Edition 🍜 Paper-thin rice noodles oven-baked to a shatter-crisp top—chef calls it “paella’s playful cousin.” Snap, slurp, then dive into the briny-sweet broth below for a double-texture surprise that keeps each spoonful interesting. Finish with a glass of chilled txakoli poured from height, watch the bubbles race like city lights on the F-train window, and you’ll understand why Brooklyn—once again—outshines Manhattan for pure culinary joy. #NewYork #BrooklynEats #SpanishTapas #ElBornMagic 🌊🎢