As someone who generally likes to completely research the menu so that I know exactly what I’m getting myself into, it was refreshing to walk into the Eel Bar completely blind.
From the people same people who brought you Cervo’s (also another popular spot in the neighborhood), Eel Bar is a snack bar and restaurant serving Basque food in a retro vibe, complete with wood paneling and strips of neon pink lighting running throughout the restaurant.
Here’s everything that we got:
Fried Mussels on the half shell
Seafood is the name of the game here and I could eat ten of these. They were super flavorful and crispy, and my main complaint is that I wish there was more.
Skewers of Yellowfin Tuna with peppers and olives
This was the ideal bite to have with some beer. It was punchy and flavorful in all the right ways. The salinity from the olives and umami from the tuna provided the type of snack that pairs perfectly with a drink.
Potato Salad with grilled octopus and paprika
I’m a sucker for a potato salad and I don’t discriminate — I love potato salads with a lot of punch mustard, ones that have raisins and dill and also the sweet Korean potato salad that comes with apple and raisins (yes, raisins). This one was super acidic and creamy, but I felt like the three elements of octopus, raw onion and creamy potato were at odds with each other. I found myself picking out the pieces individually in a scenario where I’d love to eat it all in one bite.
Black Rice
This is maybe one of the most iconic dishes from the restaurant and was definitely one of the highlights of the evening. The squid ink-stained rice had so much flavor and the addition of the slab of mayonaise on the side provided another nuance of flavor which felt so rich and luxurious.
Steak with fries
The NABI team was going back and forth between getting this dish and chicken — and is it terrible to say we wish we tried the latter? There was nothing wrong with the steak, but the portion size definitely left a bit to be desired. If you’re ordering this dish, I would keep the portion size in mind.
Rainbow Trout with melted leeks and pil-pil
In heavy contrast to the steak, the trout was quite generous in portion size! It was completely doused in a buttery sauce and was cooked perfectly. The only critique I might have was that I was craving a splash of acid somewhere — a squeeze of lemon, a splash of vinegar — just to cut through how rich this dish was.
The desserts here were definitely a highlight!
Caneles with fresh cream
I’m always a sucker for a canele. On some of my worst days at work, I’ll walk over to my local French bakery and buy a canele just to cheer myself up. These were even better. Served halved and absolutely doused in a warm cream sauce, this dish was ooey gooey, with notes of caramel and vanilla throughout.
Cheesecake with grapes
How can you go to a Basque restaurant and not get the cheesecake? The cheesecake was spot on both in texture and in flavor. I was almost convinced that there was corn in the cheesecake because of how nutty the dessert was.
Overall, the Eel Bar is a solid spot if you’re looking to have a casual drink and snack on some punchy flavorful food. The vibes are perfect for a tavern-style spot on the Lower East Side; however, if you’re looking for a substantial meal or larger portions, you might have to hit up a second spot.