Xicala Wine and Tapas Bar

Nest of a Nolita wine bar for tapas and sangria.

by Melanie Berliet at Citysearch

Red painted walls and a warm aura raise the coziness factor at this local spot, where both the plates and the space are on the small side. The wine list and tapas menu channel Spain in true spirit, with a focus on Spanish vineyards and chorizo, respectively. Wash your spicy sausage down with a glass of vino or try the strawberry sangria, prepared from a special in-house recipe that’s tasty without being overly sweet. Xicala is a perfect place for an impromptu drop-by when you’re in the neighborhood--but given its miniature size and major charm, don’t be surprised if it’s crowded.

05/05/09

BEST BRUNCH EVER!

by PennyLaneNYC at Citysearch

I went here about a year ago...wandering in the village with my honey, and stopped at a sign saying 2 free drinks & pri fixe brunch so I turned left and found the most adorable little tapas bar. Now I hope they still have brunch, because it was SO PLEASANT! It was just about noon and no one was there..so nice, my honey had the huevos rancheros and loved the mole! And I had a salmon goat cheese sandwich thing, only it was on this amazing bread!! Amazing, coffee, dessert- oh they were new so they brought out like a fondue strawberries and melting chocolate thing. Have been meaning to go back, but we live uptown...will have to as soon as it gets nice!! Hope they kept up with the brunch!

• Pros: GREAT AMBIANCE, small, cozy toasty
• Cons: size

11/18/08

No thanks.

by roseannej at Citysearch

This place was recommended by a co-worker and I will never listen to his advice again. The service was rude, everyone seem to have an attitude and when the food finally arrived it was terrible.

• Pros: near other restaurants
• Cons: bad food.

10/17/08

great tapas and wine

by heatherkosch at Citysearch

I love this tapas and wine bar because the atmosphere is conversational, energetic with music, but easy going and quaint at the same time. There is a wide selection of wines, and the people that own and work at the bar know exactly what to recommend. I am a huge fan of both of the chorizo dishes...but you should try one of everything, if you have enough room in your stomach! Great people, beautifully made interior, I highly recommend for a nice light easy place to enjoy a chat and some wine!

10/15/08

A spot to sit, sip and contemplate the things of bliss

by mangola at Citysearch

I have not lived in NYC for five years but I still consider this my local nightcap. Any day that I pass by I am guaranteed to see a good friend and meet someone new. I will eat the Chorizo and the Mushroom dish which is always delicious and I often ask the mind behind the bar for a hint of what is good for the day.

The owner is usually close by, which gives it the feel of a real establishment, not a nameless spot. And when the sun falls mid-week there is often a live cuban band or flamenco dance that plays notes which compliments a smooth Los Amantes as the perfect finish to the visit of my second home.

• Pros: great food, great drinks and a wonderful atmosphere
• Cons: it is hard to find behind the construction wall, But just look for the flashing red sign!

10/12/08

Recommended :)

by DavidHoww at Citysearch

The service was amazing. Really. Our staff made great recommendations, knew a ton about wine and was happy to chat with us. That person was attentive without being obtrusive and made for a delightful experience.

The food was good. I don't even know what tapas means anymore. But this small plates thing works for me. By far and away, the stand out dish was the sangria. I usually wouldn't order it, but again, our staff recommended it. It was AMAZING.

Went on a weeknight and they were happy to let us close the place down and linger over our last glasses of wine.I would recommend to anyone.

• Pros: wine list ,friendly staff

09/17/08

Great little find. Good Food. Nice Service.

by jsp424 at Citysearch

Love wine and tapas and really enjoyed this place. There is a great wine list, great sangria and a very nice selection of tapas. We tried from the bruschetta, the goat cheese fritters and a bunch of other things all delicious!!!! The place is a bit small but perfect for nights when you don't want to deal with the hustle and bustle of a large place. I think it would be great for a date because of the intimate feel. Will be back when I'm downtown.

• Pros: Great Food. Nice Wine List. Great Sangria. Friendly Service!
• Cons: A bit small but sometimes that's good!

08/01/08

don't waste your time and money

by rosicano6 at Citysearch

We walk into this place and got the worst service and the worst meal ever. The owner was seating at the bar drunk, harrasing every woman who walked near him. There are plenty of other wine bars in this neighborhood , don't waste your money here.

• Pros: none
• Cons: drunk owner

07/13/07

Good spot to slip away for wine and small bites.

by nic77 at Citysearch

While this spot is very small, the service is warm and the wine quite good. I enjoyed their salads and other tastings.

• Pros: Good Spanish wines

Editorial Review by Marcella Veneziale

by Contributor at Citysearch

Tiny dishes in this tiny spot pack a one-two flavor punch, with traditional and modern dishes complementing the extensive wine selection.