Salinas
Restaurant, Spanish, $$$

Arroz de Pulpo Socarrado | © Salinas
Upon entering the warm, welcoming Salinas, located in the heart of chic West Chelsea, the surroundings are immediately evocative of the Mediterranean – traditional limestone walls and Brazilian walnut floors contrast with plush velvet furnishings while an al fresco dining area with a retractable roof ensures guests can dine under the stars year-round. The restaurant, which opened in 2011, offers a host of traditional and contemporary tapas and main course dishes made by Michelin star-trained chef Luis Bello – a native of Spain’s Basque Country, who helped place Salinas on Esquire Magazine’s 2011 Best New Restaurant list and earned it a two-star rating from the New York Times. You’ll be whisked away to the Mediterranean with dishes like arroz de pulpe socarrado – bomba rice and Galician rock octopus in Rioja red wine with Irwin Farm’s local wild mushrooms.