Here’s a Taste…

In the heart of Manhattan’s Flatiron district lies the neighborhood’s newest addition, Aldea, a true Iberian restaurant with authentic flare. Every element of the restaurant — which was designed by Stephanie Goto, who also designed the restaurant Corton — is well thought out, from the blue tints that are reminiscent of the air and sea to the bamboo and curly wood that decorate the recessed walls. The lighting is spectacular and the open kitchen, which has plenty of intimate seating, is truly dinner with a show. The real star, however, is Executive Chef and Owner George Mendes’ superior cuisine. An alumnus of some of the world’s best kitchens — including New York’s Bouley, France’s Ducasse and Spain’s Berasategui — Mendes prepares a seasonal menu that is compact but varied, and Mom always said good things come in small packages. She’s right: Here, in addition to the normal menu, you’ve got small bites and charcuterie, all changing seasonally and all bringing unique flavors to your palate. Each plate is more avant-garde and creative than the next. Whether you’re eating a full meal or grabbing a light bite with a glass of vino from the unique list of global wines, Aldea should be first on your list!…read more

A little about the space…

Located in Manhattan’s fashionable Flatiron district, a neighborhood with abundant restaurant choices, lies an exquisite gem of a restaurant, Aldea, which loosely translates as “village” in Portuguese. Situated midway between Fifth and Sixth Avenues on Seventeenth Street, the restaurant has an elegant yet unassuming exterior that’s comprised of two stories of etched glass windows. Between the two stories, “ALDEA” is elegantly emblazoned in blue and white against a backlit concrete frame. Nothing flashy. Just simple, understated elegance. The name of the neighborhood…read more

 Read the menu….

Executive Chef George Mendes pays homage to his Iberian heritage with Aldea. A first generation American born to Portuguese parents, he has graced the kitchens of some of the world’s best chefs, including David Bouley, Alain Passard, Alain Ducasse, Sandro Gamba, Roger Verge and Martin Berasategui. The minute you taste his cuisine, you’ll see that his inspiration has been elevated every step of the way. His journey started at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park. After graduation he met his mentor, Chef David Bouley,…read more

Learn about the Appealing Highlights…

Aldea’s lighting is some of the most unusual we’ve seen. Two chandeliers decorate the restaurant; one illuminates the bar and the other the chef’s tables. The chandelier over the bar is a long, rectilinear structure that follows the line of the bar and is suspended from the ceiling by a series of long, thin chrome filaments. The more unique chandelier is the one that provides cascading light over the chef’s tables. It is especially exquisite. Although both chandeliers were designed by Stephanie Goto,…read more

See how it rates in comfort….

Aldea is a gem of a restaurant with a number of distinctly different dining options. If you want to maneuver the waters of this Iberian paradise without fail, continue reading below to figure out where you’d like to sit, how to make a reservation, what to wear and more….read more

Read about our meal with the chef…

TravelsinTaste.com recently made our way to Manhattan’s Flatiron district, which is home to one of New York’s hottest new restaurants, Aldea. We decided we simply had to try its Iberian specialties and we were lucky enough to do so in the company of Executive Chef George Mendes, who is a disciple of David Bouley and Alain Ducasse, among many other notable chefs. When we arrived we were taken to a table overlooking the open kitchen. Shortly thereafter Chef Mendes was able to join us…read more