Spanish Tavern

We had a few appetizers and they were both terrible. Shrimp cocktail the shrimp were smelly and fishy so we didn’t even touch it. Codfish fritter , we’re very bready. You could barely taste codfish. Sauvignon Blanc wine was the cheapest version one of those giant bottles for $13 at a wine store . So I decided to ask for sangria instead was super sugary sweet and alcohol was at a bare minimum. Just not a good experience.

We ordered drinks, wine, appetizers, and the Paella Valencia. Everything was delicious—until we got to the lobster. After several bites of paella, my friend ate his half lobster tail and immediately noticed a strong ammonia smell and a terrible taste. I picked up the other half and smelled it. It reeked! We were horrified knowing we had already eaten paella cooked with spoiled lobster. I had only eaten a claw, but my friend had already swallowed a bad bite. I immediately alerted the manager, who apologized and removed the food from our bill. We paid for the drinks and the tip and then left in a hurry, rushing back to Manhattan hoping we wouldn’t get sick before reaching our homes. What should have been a relaxing night out instead became a stressful and unsettling experience that still cost us over $150 - for nothing! This kind of food safety failure should never happen. Clearly, something is seriously wrong with their handling of lobster. Never again.

Never ever again ,Spanish Bella was no flavor . Just Wasting money and Disappointment..

Been a patron of Spanish Tavern for over 45 years. Lived around the corner and although I moved to FL I visit every time I come to NJ. After this visit won't be returning. Now the food is still good but to pay $38 dollars for a pork chop that is the size of a small lamb chop is absurd. I told the waiter that the price has gone up and before at least they would give two pork chops and now one small one. He claimed he was there since 2003 and that has always been the portion but I then showed him pictures from prior years and then he just says I was correct. Look folks I am a foodie but there is no value in $38 for one little pork chop. Be warned that the prices online do not match the actual menu prices by $5 to $7 more. Now I know why the restaurant is always empty the last few years. Not handicap friendly as bathrooms are downstairs and tables are so close together that you would not be able to go through with wheelchair or walker but since it is always empty guess you can make your way through.