El Almacen

Our new favorite dinning spot in W'burg is a tiny, charming Argentinean restaurant. Started with tapas menus, they now have a full menu. At the moment, it's BYOB (wine stores in two blocks: We like UVA on Bedford and North 6) and Cash Only. The space is really small and tight, resembling a little bit like Marlow and Sons, another excellent restaurant in the hood. It's good for a group of up to 4 people, perfect for a couple who appreciates intimate atmosphere. It seems they don't take a reservation. They didn't even answer the phone when I called to confirm they allow byob. Probably not the best place for vegetarians. Wonderful service by charming Argentinean staff accompanies the great food!

Special on the menu: Lobster tacos. It was good and very reasonable for two full meat of lobsters. The sauce, however, was too rich and overpowering to enjoy such beautiful lobster meat.

Home made chorizo: This chorizo isn't spicy at all, more like a really good sausage. I prefer not to have the ketchup on the plate, but it is a nice piece of sausage. Glasses of red wine and this alone would satisfy me.

Home made papardelle with coffee braised oxtail ragu: The ragu is rich but the flavor/sauce is seasoned very simply.

Tira De Asado: This was wonderful. The short rib is super juicy and nicely chewy. We gnawed on the bones. You'd never find such a satisfying steak for $15 in Manhattan.

We'd love to go back soon while it's BYOB. I hope they never serve alcohol. Otherwise, it'll be so hard to find seats and the bill gets bigger, unaffordable for occasional visits.


El Almacen
557 Driggs Ave (between 6th St & 7th St)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
718-218-7284 (They normally don't answer phones)