El Boqueron

Recommends

db1975

Joined 3 years ago

Finally a restaurant for all ages. . . . . . . . . .. I went to El Boqueron on a Monday night expecting a quiet evening. It was quite the opposite but I am not complaining because it ended up being such a fun night. The restaurant was busy the whole time we were there, which you normally don't see in other places on a Monday night. From start to end it was a great experience. The waiters there are very attentive. We first started with the champagne sangria that was "to die for"; never had anything like that. From there, we did not know what to order and one of the owners, a young man, asked for our likes and dislikes in food. He then asked if it was ok for him to make a couple of recommendations and we left our stomachs in his hands and we were not steered wrong once. The food was delicious. We had the clams, grilled calamari, grilled scallops, shrimp in a garlic sauce and the portobello mushroom that was grilled and topped off with smoked salmon. To end the meal we had the crema catalana and the mocha flan. One of my friends ended up eating the whole flan by himself. My friends and I will definitely be going back there really soon. The prices are really reasonable and the service is amazing. What a great neighborhood restaurant!

Doesn't Recommend

Hasselrot

Joined 3 years ago

Who are they kidding?. This restaurant came highly recommended through a friend, but clearly that person hasn't experienced

quality Spanish food. I have travelled extensively in Spanish speaking countries around the world, and nothing prepared me for the "fake" dishes and lack of quality food in this place. And to make matters worse, the restaurant was practically empty but the maitre'd and waiter were too busy to bring us table settings before the food arrived. Then the waiter didn't remember who got what. And we ended up sending half the food back because it was so inedible. When we left the maitre'd was irritated because we hadn't tipped well, as if tipping should be automatic and not related to service or food! There are plenty of decent Spanish restaurants in Astoria. Don't waste your time or money at this one.

Doesn't Recommend

Mecaguendiez

Joined 4 years ago

They dont have anything about Spain. I was Illusioned with to visit this place or other Spanish retaurant. But now I think that never will try another spanish restaurant here in New York.

I'm from spain and my english is not very well but I can say that this restaurant doesn't have anything to compare with spanish cousine.

We asked for some tapas like "jamon serrano", jaja, I felt like an Idiot when I saw the plate of "jamon serrano". This people haven't seen "jamon serrano" neither in pictures.

Little, bad, without flavor. 9$.

The chicken croquetas were one of the worst croquetas that I tried ever.

Two more Tapas were "so so" I can't crtice them but every time that I remember the "jamon serrano" I don't know whether to laught or to cry.

One more thing, I don't know if they try to get an quit place or they don't pay the electricity bills because the lights were dim and we couldn't to check the colour of the food.

If you want to know the spanish cousine this is not the best place to visit.

A spanish guy who know how is the spanish cuisine.

Recommends

chorbap

Joined 5 years ago

Excellent Tapas Excellent Service. I saw this place when riding home on the N/W trains and I finally decided to check it out. We stayed with some tapas and the appetizer specials. The Sangria was good, nothing outstanding, but a solidly well mixed red sangria with not too much brandy. The waiters were excellent. We had the cod croquettes, served with a tomato sauce. It was pretty good, but then the highlights came around, the warm octopus was excellent, we also ordered the mini squids (killer) the sweetbreads (awesome) and the tortilla espanola. What was excellent about the food was the fat to acid ratio. At first bite, everything was so rich it almost bordered on decadent, then the acidity would cut through the taste and each bite finished clean. The squid had lemon on top, the sweetbreads had warmed red cabbage kraut. The tortilla was almost like a thick potato cake. When it arrived it almost looked like a NY cheesecake. I recommend this place. Its one of my favorite places in Astoria.

Recommends

kelmassager

Joined 5 years ago

My favorite place in Astoria!!!!!!. I need to spread the word about El Boqueron!!!!! The best restaurant in Astoria hands down!!!!!! These guys really know what it takes to run a restaurant! The food is so tasty and fresh and the service is incredible!! Anything on the menu can be done tapas style so you can try many wonderful dishes in the same night!!!! Talapia, filet mignon, scallops.....I can't wait to go there tonight!!

Doesn't Recommend

nidav35

Joined 6 years ago

One word - mediocre. I went to El Boqueron on a busy Friday night with modestly high expectations. The minute I walked in with my girlfriend we were greeted very warmly in Spanish by one of the waiters who asked if we had a reservation. Since we didn't we were informed that we would have to wait 10-15 minutes. Well, we waited a full hour at the bar. The worst part of the wait was that after about 40 minutes another couple that arrived after us was given one of the available window tables. We complained and were informed that the couple had a reservation and we were also told that they cannot predict when people would leave the restaurant. We decided to give them the benefit of the doubt, but we were not convinced. The waiter sensing we were upset gave us a round of drinks and some olives and cheese. A nice touch, but we were already quite annoyed and the waiter's attitude was like "I'm going to play my role here, but I really don't have any interest in making your evening a pleasant one." He never told us about the specials. When I told him that I wanted the paella he told me that it would take at least 35 minutes and sarcastically commented that I should have ordered it at the bar. I asked him for a suggestion and he bluntly rattled off some fish that I stupidly agreed to order. We had the grilled sardines and garlic shrimp to start. After having the second sardine I started feeling sick and had to excuse myself from the table to get some fresh air. It wasn't that the food was horrible, but my body certainly had a strong reaction to something. The main courses were truly, truly mediocre. I'm not a great cook, but I know I could have made a better fish at home. Astoria has some pretty decent restaurants, but this is not one of them. What baffles me is that my girlfriend has some reliable friends that claim this restaurant is good. Maybe we had a bad night. Maybe we had a bad server. Maybe...but I'm not going back to find out.

Recommends

dayday24

Joined 6 years ago

Lovely restaurant!. My husband and I were seated at a comfortable table at 8:00 p.m. on a Saturday night without waiting. We immediately ordered a pitcher of sangria which was very good - not the best I have ever had, but refreshing. We were so hungry and quite happy when the waiter brought out a small plate with some green and black olives, a piece of bread with a small, tasty sardine on it and a small piece of potato. It was the perfect thing before ordering dinner. We ordered two tapas: chicken croquettes and stuffed mushrooms with bacon. The tapas were good, not great. I had the shrimp in green sauce and my husband had the paella. Both dishes were very good. The portions were just right. Overall service was pretty good, a little inconsistent since when we first got there they were very attentive. Then, when they took away our dishes and we told them we did not want any desert, they took a bit too long to bring us the check. On the other hand, I suppose it is a positive thing that they did not rush us out. Our check was under 100, tip included (without desert). El Boqueron does not measure up to my favorite spanish restaurant in manhattan (Malagas), but I would certainly come back.

Recommends

susie_r

Joined 7 years ago

Yes Bother ...it's worth it!!!. Don't know what Don't Bother is talking about. I love this place. The food is great and the staff is very helpful. I've sat next to the kitchen on occasion and it's not terrible. I also picked it for Valentines Day. It's so cozy and romantic. I always have a nice time with when I go and am always happy with the food...if you're lucky and lamb is the special of the day, order it. You will not be disappointed.

Doesn't Recommend

hightide85

Joined 6 years ago

Don't even bother. Sat right next to the kitchen, so right off the bat I was upset. The waiter tried to be very pushy with the specials. Food was average at best. Service was bad, then the waiter acted upset when we wanted to see dessert menus. Then, I log into my bank to see they added an extra $6.0 to their tip. Don't even bother.

Recommends

diegobk

Joined 7 years ago

A lilttle Taste of Spain in Astoria. Wow this place was a great find. The service is imperresive the food sepectacular and the atmosphere romantic. We ate a couple of Tapas there which were Shimp in garlic, Calamar in garlic and as a main dish I ate a Seafood combination in a creamy lobster cava sauce and my date ate a wonderful Tilapia in a butter lemon and white wine sauce. For dessert the waiter reccomended his favorite which was a Torreja . Overall Wonderful experiance