MERCADO LITTLE SPAIN

A Taste of España in New York

- EDU JARQUE

We had just descended from the nature-architecture combo of the High Line, an elevated greenway and park in western Manhattan, when two of my sisters Ana Fe and Honey suspiciously remembered they needed to run some encargos – orders or pabilins to the uninitiated.

You see, we were informed some beloved aunts – of no blood relations, but of choice – together with their octogenarian full-of-life close friends, have furnished a kilometric list of well-being creams, skincare lotions, perhaps specialty ointments – all top-of-the-line, only available and sold in better exclusive ladies stores. Hudson Yards was just the perfect haven for quality. We, the accompanying gentlemen suspected it was just an excuse to shop. We will never know!

When the pair went off to accomplish their mission, we noted a sign that spelled out Mercado Little Spain. Intrigued, it was our best discovery of the day.

The name sounded vaguely familiar, as I recalled it was immortalized in Forbes Magazine as one of the 10 Coolest Places to Eat.

In short, Mercado Little Spain has often described as a love letter to this European country.

We learned this location within the concrete jungle was established by Chef José Andrés, twice included in Time’s 100 Most Influential People List, awarded the Outstanding Chef and Humanitarian of the Year by the James Beard Foundation – among many other accolades. Not to mention the two Michelin-starred minibar.