El Tanque Trattoria Bar — Restaurant in New York

I don't always experience great food and great service and decor in the same place so wanted to share this hidden gem in the hopes they do well.

But not toooo well I want to be able to get in. El Tanque is located in Inwood and has mainly italian food with a Dominican twist.

They do weekday happy hour till 7pm in restaurant, 9pm in the bar on food and drink.

I had two pizzas which were light and delicious and a sangria and limoncello spritz I will make sure to order again.

While the bartender wasn't aware of our 16-person reservation, he let on no surprise or annoyance. Instead, he jumped into action and came up with a plan even if it meant him having to juggle 16 people's orders on his own. He was never rude or let on any kind of attitude. He was patient as people reviewed the menu and truly made us all feel taken care of. We ended up staying long past happy hour. He knew what each person had and even let us all pay separately! Unheard of!

I have sent friends since then and they all have commented on how hard the staff works and how much they clearly want to please.

My friend is librarian and fell in love with the decor. There are so many small touches you can tell the owners took their time to make this neighborhood restaurant just right.

It is one of my new favorites and I can't wait to go back!

Michael at the bar was also our server and did a great job handling my group. THANK YOU, Michael and the other staff that later...

If you’ve never been to El Tanque in the Heights, consider this your official invitation. And if you have been and didn’t stay for happy hour, well, you clearly didn’t know better. This Dominican-owned gem has the best happy hour in the neighborhood, like, "Why did I just order another round... of food? Oh well, it’s happy hour!" best. It runs till 10 PM!

First off, let’s talk ambiance: the moment you walk in, it feels like you’ve been adopted into a loud, warm Dominican family. The music is always on point, the drinks flow faster than your excuses for skipping leg day, and the vibe is so good you’ll wonder if they pipe in positive energy through the air vents.

The food? Let’s just say I’d walk a mile barefoot over Legos for a plate of their empanadas. They're that good. The flavors will make you rethink your life choices and wonder why you're not living off mangu and fried cheese.

Now, let’s talk about Wednesday nights at 7:15 pm. WRU Crew gathers here, and let me tell you, it’s a scene. Think of it as happy hour, but with a side of group therapy, for the body and min fix. Come prepared for laughs, loud conversation, and someone, pretending they're going to "just have one pizza or drink."

El Tanque isn't just a restaurant; it's a family establishment. Come for the drinks and eats, stay for the vibe, and try not to make too many questionable decisions during happy hour. Or do. It's happy...

This past weekend we spent an evening El Tanque Trattoria and had the most amazing time alongside some friends !

From the moment I stepped in, I was greeted with warmth and enthusiasm & that vibe in itself, flowed through the entire evening.

The food was beyond incredible, each bite bursting with authentic flavors! They offer a delectable menu with pizza, pastas, burgers, salads & more. They also offer specialty pizzas that you HAVE to try next time you're in!

We tried the classic Margherita but the stars of the show were the DOMINICAN POWER (Chimi style pizza) & the EL TANQUE 56 pizza - thank me later.

They also have whole wheat, cauliflower (5) & gluten free dough if you have any dietary restrictions.

The service was top-notch ; the staff made me feel like a valued guest throughout the entire meal and time we spent there. They were quick on their feet and informative as well. Any questions we had, they were 100% committed to making sure we were all set !

The atmosphere was inviting and cozy with a beautifully decorated space that added to the overall charm of the restaurant.

I was absolutely blown away by my experience here and can't wait to visit again!

I was absolutely blown away by my experience at El Tanque Trattoria and I cant wait to go back and indulge in their amazing...