After a great recent meal at Bar Carrera, it occurred to me that this review should somehow incorporate the idea that the little things in life usually end up being the most important … I just wasn’t sure if I should reference Malcolm Gladwell or Good Charlotte. References aside, Bar Carrera is an example of little things done right. The diminutive Spanish restaurant and wine bar turns out excellent small plates from a tiny kitchen at the back of the room. The menu is relatively brief, yet well thought out, especially considering the limitations of the kitchen in back – not unlike one you would see set temporarily set up on 5th Avenue for a Good Morning America cooking segment. Despite the constraints, Bar Carrera is proof that doing a few things well is enough to keep people coming back … even if it’s just a handful of killer small plates. We’ll give Bar Carrera points for excellent food, a great wine list, and for reminding us of Muggsy Bogues, and we deducted a few for the douchey bar tender and lack of decent tunes.
Food Rundown:
Spicy Chorizo
This is a traditional Spanish chorizo – thin sliced and dry cured. For five bucks, it’s a nice serving and is very good.
Croquetas Del Dia
Croquetas are Spanish fritters, almost like a hush puppy. Three come to an order and what’s inside depends on the day you are there. I think we’ve touched on this in previous reviews, but ham inside bread is a thing of beauty so pray you dine on una dia de jamon.
Pork Belly
Yes indeed, more pork belly. We have an office pool going on how many points my cholesterol has increased in the year since we started this site. Either way, I think I lose. This pork belly comes caramelized with juniper sugar which adds a subtle and tasty sweetness and a little bit of crunch.
Jamon Bocadillo
This is an amazing little sandwich, and under no circumstances should it be left off the list when you are ordering. Three slider size garlicky brioches come stuffed with chopped jamon and manchego cheese. So good.
Morcilla Bocadillo
The only thing our waiter contributed to the meal aside from showing us the back of his sweet American Eagle button down shirt was recommending we order the Morcilla Bocadillo. This is traditional Spanish blood sausage on a mini baguette with dry mustard … best hot dog I’ve had in a while.
