The recommendation of the most authentic Dominican restaurant in New York was made during a conversation Murray had with two diplomats – one from the Dominican Mission to the United Nations, and the other from the Dominican Consulate in New York. These two diplomats discussed and debated several different restaurants, but then finally ended up in agreement: La Nueva España is the best authentic Dominican restaurant in town.
We found out about La Nueva España and sampled its fare a few months ago, but we didn’t take any photos during that visit. So we planned a return trip that would include photography. Since the neighborhood around the restaurant is important to the story, we wanted outdoor photos, and therefore have been waiting for a sunny day. Well, if you’ve been in New York this June, you know how scarce the sun has been! I finally got back to La Nueva España (in the sun) this week and am happy now to be able to post.
To visit this restaurant, take the A or the 1 train to 168th Street and walk up St. Nicholas Avenue to 173rd Street. Assuming the weather is fair, you will walk past blocks of Latino street vendors displaying clothing, jewelry, household items, and more. The neighborhood feels light years away from midtown Manhattan, and it’s a great reminder of the rich diversity in people, languages, culture, and cuisine that is New York.
If you go to eat at La Nueva España (and I hope you will), plan your visit such that you can leave your time-pressed stresses behind. Experience your visit to La Nueva España as if you were traveling to a different country, and respect the different rhythms. If at all possible, have a Spanish speaker in your group; most of the restaurant staff’s command of English appears to be nonexistent to poor, which adds more spice to the adventure, but is more easily handled if someone speaks Spanish.
When we arrived at La Nueva España our first visit, we were presented with two menus – one standard-looking, and the other promoting a “lobster and crab fiesta” that you can get Mondays through Fridays from 11:00am to 11:00pm.
We told our waitress upfront (in Spanish) that the restaurant had been recommended to us as the best Dominican restaurant in New York City. She smiled, and helped us figure out what to order, recommending Mofongo De Cerdo, which is described on the menu in English as “Mash Green Plantain with Pork.” We told her we’d also like to try some seafood and asked if Pargo Al Horno (baked red snapper) would be a good choice, and she nodded. To drink, we decided on a pitcher of sangria. Also available to drink are beer, wine, and specialty cocktails.
Service was slow – Murray joked that the waitress may have had to go down the street to get the fixings for our sangria – and the music was loud. But when the food arrived, it was wonderful – Caribbean flavors, mildly spiced; large quantities but not too much.
We skipped the grilled chickens, but don't they look good?
The restaurant is small but popular; by the time we left (about 8:00pm on a Friday night), most of the tables were full – mostly with groups of at least four people – including some that appeared to be extended families, with and without kids.
A big appeal of this place is the setting, and the opportunity to imagine for a moment that you are in another land. Use your visit here as an opportunity to move with the Caribbean rhythms, and enjoy your meal.
All major credit cards are accepted.
Where and When
La Nueva España
1263 Saint Nicholas Avenue
New York, NY 10033
(212) 927-7373
Sunday through Thursday
7:00am to midnight
Friday and Saturday
7:00am to 2:00am
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