Alcala

• Cuisine(s): Basque, Fusion, Spanish
  Hours: Sun 5:30pm-9pm, Mon-Fri 12pm-2:30pm, Mon-Thu 5:30pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 5:30pm-11pm
  Price: $$$
• Payment Types: All Major Credit Cards, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover, Diners Club
  Features: Patio/Sidewalk Dining, Takeout
  Serving: Dinner, Lunch
• Alcohol: Beer, Full bar, Wine
  Reservations: Accepted, Not Necessary
  Parking: No Parking

Description

You have to go upscale for the city's best Basque food, alas. Catering to patrons from the U.N., Alcala is an informal space decorated with pleasant but undistinguished color photos of Spain. The food, however, leaves a powerful impression, especially chiparones-baby squid coated with a thick black sauce made from ink-and a special soup that features potatoes and spicy chorizo in a paprika-red broth. Skip the lackluster paella, aimed at those who don't know Basque from basket. Available during both lunch and dinner, the tapas menu is as good as any in town, and the eight-selection Spanish cheese plate performs equally well as appetizer or dessert.