El Cid

The hot octopus were not hot. But the restaurant was freezing cold. Mediocre restaurant

This is probably among the worst restaurants in NYC for the price. It’s pretty embarrassing for the city that this place is still open given the diversity of the city and the high quality of establishments. If I were mayor, I’d definitely make an effort toward revitalizing the super low quality food in this square of the city. We had the garlic shrimp, which were tired. The bacon wrapped dates were minuscule and resembled small pebbles to put it politely. The meatballs were edible if scarce. I can’t even remember what else we had and I’m still at the table. Overall the highlight was bread and butter and the fact that the drinks contained alcohol. If you’re looking for an expensive place to sit, this is your spot. I don’t recommend eating.

Looks like a former sports bar, but now has a fancier menu. Lots of good spaniard options. Somewhat full bar, but mostly the larger selections are in the wine department. Had a nice tempranillo while there.
I really dont like how the place looks, but at least the workers dress well. It’s a tough business, as I know personally.

My wife and I dined here on Sunday Nov 8^th after taking in a 2pm show at the Joyce theater across the street. We arrived late afternoon, early so the place was not very busy.
Being Hispanic we tend to be selective about Spanish food and came to El Cid more out of the convenience that it was across the street. I had the lamb chops special and Paella Valenciana with the Chorizo and Shrimp in garlic sauce as appetizers. The lamb chops were in a delicious pepper sauce and the vegetables were crisp and fresh. My wife’s paella almost had more seafood and meat than rice. Both plates were very good and the service as well.
The place has a very nice look and feel with a full bar on premise. If you want to have dinner either before or after the show, El Cid is a good choice.

I LOVE this place! Especially on Sunday nights… Its hip, it’s cool, great crowd and great music. Food is excellent and the service is off the charts. Ask for Ti!

Came here on a whim with a friend while we were just walking around. The food was really good. I had the arroz con pollo which came out piping hot (love that!) and it was delicious. Tacos were ok as well. I had the red sangria which I personally think could have used a little something extra.
Why 3 stars? While I was enjoying my nice quiet dinner about 50 people all at once came into the restaurant for an event that was going on for Stella Cidre. I think it would have been nice for the waiter or manager to let us know because it ruined our experience. It all of a sudden got very loud and the group was rude and rowdy. One gentleman even put his used glass and plate on our table (yes the one we were sitting at and eating out dinner in!!) I couldn’t get my waiters attention for over 10 minutes because of all the people and we just wanted to get out of there !!
Very frustrating, I think we should have at least been informed ahead of time. Would I go back? Maybe if I was in the neighborhood and had nothing to do, but I don’t think I would go out of my way to go there again.

Some co workers and I came here for sone much needed after work drinks. We were the only patrons for quite awhile but it was early. The white sangria was good. The passion fruit margaritas were good as well. We had nachos and quesadillas which were okay.
They are getting four stars for the great service. It was about 20 of us and we never felt neglected. They even gave us plates of free appetizers. When one of my drinks had way too much ice, the bartender gave me my next drink on the house.
I’m sure to return because it’s by my job and people love $ 5 and $ 6 happy hour specials.

What a great afternoon in Chelsea! I attended a private event here for brunch and the food, drinks, staff, and overall ambiance exceeded my expectations.
I enjoyed the fried calamari and chicharron de pollo with the garlic alioli the most.
I don’t want to sound like a lush but I did try every brunch cocktail and rank them in the order of most to least favorite: Rum Punch, Red Sangria, Mimosa, and White Sangria.
Regarding staff, very accommodating and great attention to detail.

Come here knowing you’re about to spend money on mediocre food.
Atmosphere– Very chill, casual. Nice place to chat and catch up with a friend. Music adds to the ambiance of a“tapas” place.
Food– The food was mediocre. Too mediocre for the prices that they have attached to it. I had to say sorry to my wallet for being to cruel. If you’re going to pay their prices, go somewhere where the food matches up.
Service– They were very nice, but not attentive. Maybe it was the lack of people in there? They forgot about our orders at least twice.
Not a fan of: Drinks– Just don’t. Total waste of money. Very watered down and weak. Even the wine!
Overall– According to the reviews this place USED to be great! Maybe they should go back to what they were doing before…

This place had been on my girlfriends places to try for a while — she had been to it years ago when they were on 15^th street.
The original restaurant was tiny and quaint — felt very authentic. The new space was clearly once a big bar and had a vacant feel.
We arrived for happy hour. 5 $ drinks. We ordered sangria. It was good.
For food we ordered
Meatballs
Chorizo
Salmon in a lemon butter sauce
Mushrooms
Tortilla espanola
Patatas bravas
The best items were
The patatas, chorizo, and tortilla
We were very underwhelmed by everything else. Way to salty for everything. The mushrooms felt like they were just taken out of a microwave and doused with salt
Just not good. The items that were good (excluding the tortilla) were just that. Medicare. Nothing special.
The best part of the meal was our server Edwin. He was awesome. Accommodating and friendly.
Overall with so many other good restaurants in Manhattan, I’d pass. Maybe a drink during happy hour and a quick snack. Not more than that.

Terrible service and only okay drinks. While there was nothing wrong, per se, about El Cid, weeks later I’m having a hard time remembering anything about the place. Lackluster on all points, and I will not be back.

Had a very late lunch here w the girls. The sangria both red and white was very very good. We hit it at happy hour so the prices were good. It wasnt the best tapas i have had but not bad. The garlic shrimp was decent. The calamari was ok. The chips and guac were good. The service was very pleasant and the atmosphere was nice (upstairs). My favorite dish was the chorizo. It wasnt a bad place but not the best tapas i have had.

I had a great experience while at brunch. I ordered steak n eggs, salad, and potatoes. Food was great service was great and I added the unlimited drinks. PLUS for a great price. Staff extremely friendly and helpful. Wifi available with seating to front open windows or back with TV.

Excellent meal and service! Their salsa is incredible and house salad is so fresh. Wonderful lunch! Will definitely be back!

The waiters will try to fool you with happy hour specials. The sign downstairs can say one thing and your bill will say another. Food is mediocre at best. Service is horrible, especially upstairs where the servers are often engaged in a dance party.

We loved El Cid! Great prices for awesome food and drinks. Lively crowd and a really fun place to go anytime!

Love the happy hour great for afternoon drinks margaritas are only 5 $ and they have alot of flavors the guacamole and chips are great also. I also recommend the solomillo its delicious!!!

There was a mouse as soon as we walked in. Unfortunately did not even sit down before we decided to walk out. GROSS!

My girlfriend and I came here on a cold wet afternoon. We got there just in time for HH and the deals were amazing. A 4 dollar glass of sangria? Who can beat that?
We had the fried calamari, bisteca, and a chicken garlic dish. They were all delicious.
Our bartender Louis Miguel was great, he kept recommending drinks and food. All the dishes he recommended were awesome.
Can’t wait to come back when I can actually drink and not watch my friend drink! Those damn warning label on the antibiotics, it was VERY difficult to stay sober and dry!
Good crowd at the bar after 6:30, a good mix of people.

El Cid is THE BOMB for happy hour, which is perfect, because it’s basically always happy hour at El Cid. Their drink menu spans any flavor of margarita, sangria, mojito, etc. that you can imagine. Many days, you can snag a glass of sangria for $ 2 – 3!
I’ve never seen anyone order food here, which I suppose is typical for a lot of Chelsea spots. Maybe because the music is bumpin’? There’s lots of house music with a Spanish flair, so I guess if you’re the doorman club type, El Cid would be your ideal pregame Mecca.