On Bleecker Street since 1976, Cafe Español has shuttered.
There's no note to say why the sudden closing, only a sign that reads: "This restaurant is closed. Trespassers will be prosecuted."
On their website, they write, "Thank you for all of these years by our side, the Cafe Español family."
This is the latest in a string of closures for Manhattan's old-school Spanish restaurants, including El Quijote, El Faro, Francisco's Centro Vasco, and El Paso.
What remains? There is Spain on 13th St., an absolute treasure, and Sevilla on Charles.
Go while you still can.
Don't forget Cafe Riazor!!!! They are still going strong
ReplyDeleteOh no! I remember eating there a few times years ago when I worked in the Village. Was there really no warning at all? I wonder if the property owner sold the building, their lease ended and wasn't renewed, the rent went through the roof, or the owners just didn't want to run it any more? Or some combo of all four?
ReplyDeleteSo sad to see them go. I had several parties in their back room. The food and service were always fantastic. So many great Spanish places have closed sadly. Good luck to the owners and staff.
ReplyDeleteThe good news is that La Nacional, 239 W 14th Street, is back in business after a lengthy break/renovation.
ReplyDeleteHad a lot of nice dates here back in the day. Sorry to see it go.
ReplyDeleteQue lastima
ReplyDeleteNo love for El Pote?
ReplyDeleteVery sad, been going there since they opened. Good Margaritas, pina coladas, lobster, paella. It was a friendly neighborhood place, but also worth traveling to. I went there last month -- glad I got in one last time.
ReplyDeleteThis was me and my husband's favorite restaurant in NYC. The dtaff and music were awesome, best shrimp in garlic sauce ever, twin lobsters were heavenly. We relocated to Florida and had been looking forward to coming back home and eating at Cafe Espanol. The dream is dead. Good luck to the owners and please update if you reopen anywhere, ever
ReplyDeleteAte there last year and thoroughly enjoyed it. NYC is losing so many of its wonderful places. I remember when the Village was one of the wonders of the world. So many great places gone.
ReplyDeleteA part of us has died. My wife and I have been going to the Cafe since it opened.
ReplyDeleteOur go to place when we are down, our go to place when we are up. So many memories with so many friends over so many years.
Oh my, I used to go there back in the days. I moved to Florida in 1992 and used to vacation twice a year, long weekends just to go eat lobster there. I was just looking at the website because my wife and I were going to meet friends for dinner there this coming December and saw this news of them closing. So very sad. Now I'm bummed out. Best lobsters ever!
ReplyDelete