Tonight my friend Robert and I were fortunate enough to score the two seats closest to the serving station, where we had an eye on the open kitchen and the ear of the well-informed waitstaff. Our tapas selection led off with pumpkin croquettes ($9), fried spheroids the size of a pingpong ball and not much heavier, even though filled with goat cheese, and an excellent if not exceptional duck with olives and salsify ($16). Other winners off the grill: dorada with garlic potatoes ($15), octopus ($13), and asparagus ($8). Desserts — a manchego tasting ($7) with not quite enough quince, and a crema catalana (a.k.a. brulee; $7) with a oh-so-precious accompaniment of bay leaf buñuelos — prompted us to repair next door to Bar Jamón for a more satisfying finale to an otherwise fine meal.
Casa Mono
52 Irving Place (at 17th St.)
212-253-2773
