El Porrón

This modern Upper East Side eatery, named for the Catalonion wine pitchers adorning the walls, is a welcoming neighborhood tapas spot. Stick with small plates, like tender veal meatballs basted in a leek and crushed-tomato broth; scallops encrusted in bread crumbs and bits of bacon; or garlicky braised leeks. Entrées are less impressive—the seafood in a monkfish paella was overcooked and its promised saffron nearly undetectable. But if you live in the neighborhood, you could do worse than settling in here for a nibble and a bottle of wine, plucked from the all-Spanish list.