BWW Previews: ESPOLETA - A Mexican Influenced Spanish Eatery in NYC

World champion pizzaiolo and restaurateur Giulio Adriani has announced the opening of Espoleta, a charming Mexican-influenced Spanish tapas restaurant in the heart of the Bowery.

Collaborating with Adriani is Consulting Chef Sue Torres, who incorporates her extensive experience cooking traditional Mexican cuisine to create a unique menu of classic Spanish pintxos, tapas, salads, and main plates with inflections from Mexico. Formerly of Suenos restaurant, Chef Torres has appeared on countless TV shows, including most recently Bravo's Top Chef Masters and the Food Network's Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off.

"Spanish food-small bites using fresh ingredients-is the way I want to enjoy life and eating," says Torres, whose ancestors migrated from Spain to Puerto Rico. "It's like you're feeding someone's soul when you serve them delicious Spanish food."

Highlights from the menu include pintxos of kabocha squash with mascarpone, leek confit and hazelnuts and chorizo with organic Taza cinnamon chocolate. For the small tapas plates, Torres blends local, fresh ingredients from the Union Square Greenmarket and gourmet products from Despana Fine Foods to create artichoke fondue with Mahon and Ahumado de Pria cheeses; parsnip croquettes with Mahon cheese, smoked paprika, and panko; littleneck clams with chorizo, butter, and citrus. The salads also stand out: arugula & endive with pickled tomatillo, orange, cana de cabra, and fried parsnips; shaved brussels sprouts with honeycrisp apple, pomegranate, pecan, and citrus vinaigrette. For the main plates, Torres has tamarind-glaze hangar steaks with celery root gratin and local greens; Negra Modelo-braised pork chops with pasilla & ancho chilis, and mashed plaintains; and chimichurri organic chicken with avocado and pimiento.

Chef de Cuisine Francis Peabody, formerly of dell'anima and Jean-Georges' JoJo, joins the team at Espoleta, as well as Wine Director Ariel Lacayo, who was once named "Best Maitre D' in New York City" by New York magazine. And Adriani, who formerly helmed Neapolitan pizzeria Forcella in the same location, will be creating special fresh-baked flatbreads to complement the small plates.

Espoleta will have an extensive wine program, with an emphasis on sangria and Spanish vintages, which will also be offered by the half glass to pair easily with small plates.

Espoleta is located at 334 Bowery (near Bond St.) New York, NY 10012. For more information, call (212) 466-3300 or visit www.espoletanyc.com