Bites Nearby: Vinoco Wine Bar and Tapas Restaurant

You could stand on a corner and look around until a restaurant sign draws you in. But we've got a better idea. Each week, New Hyde Park Patch picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice:

Vinoco Wine Bar and Tapas Restaurant

When partners Carlos Roman and Alex Meza first opened Vinoco in late March, they were unsure of how the area would react to their concept of global tapas; after all, the style of dining would be unlike any the Mineola location had seen.

Months later, you can say that their doubts have faded. Thanks to a well-trained and passionate staff, casual atmosphere and exciting menu, the restaurant is being received by the community with open arms.

The owners and chefs have received their training working at some of the most acclaimed restaurants in New York City. Drawing from their experience, they have created a diverse menu that Roman describes as approachable yet, “very unique, very different…very refreshing.”

Though tapas originate from Spain, at Vinoco the small plates come inspired by a range of cultures including Italian, Greek, Pan-Asian and Latin American. Dishes are presented elegantly and often with an intriguing mix of flavors, textures and colors.

While “always respecting the essence of the food,” Roman says their goal is to enhance the overall dining experience with interesting ingredients that sometimes shake up the taste buds.  

“We always want to create a little bit of a challenge for the palate for customers," Roman explains.

For a real sensory experience, the restaurant serves several skewer/shot glass shooter combos such as the rib eye skewer with liquid mashed potato shooter and drunken crab cake with spicy piña colada shooter.

In dishes like these, the contrasting flavors and textures, “take you to a different level,” said Roman.

For the ever-important visual feast that comes with the meal, presentation gets special attention at Vinoco.  Food comes to the table with vibrant colors and playful plate arrangements like the flower-shaped salmon tartar infused with passion fruit and avocado; Pringles potato chips surround the pink tartar in the center like petals.

Among the popular tapas are the Pan-Asian steamed roast pork buns served with picked daikon radish, cilantro and hoisin sauce and Vinoco Mac n’ Cheese made with Manchego, Asiago and Parmesan, served beside wild mushrooms with white truffle oil. For something homey, try the cannellini bean duo of sausage.

Every week a different fresh fish ceviche is also offered, prepared in various styles from around the world. Peruvian-inspired passion fruit red snapper ceviche is something they have done in the past.

Roman mentions that, “Tapas are about sharing,” and suggests coming with three or four people.

Comparing tapas to family-style dinner but with many small plates instead of a few large ones, he says that customers will surely get their fill. In addition to the selection of tapas-sized pastas, paellas, empanadas, sandwiches and vegetables, entrée courses are also available and everything can be shared.

Small tapas plates are especially perfect for dessert as you can easily try more than one; if you can’t decide between the fried Oreos or rice pudding empanadas with chocolate-hazelnut reduction, get both.

During lunch, Vinoco runs a special where you can get three tapas for sixteen dollars or choose from the $10.95 prix fix menu, Monday through Friday; at dinner, get three tapas for twenty five dollars. Five dollar tapas and sangria during happy hour, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Catering and party menu are available.

Vinoco Wine Bar and Tapas Restaurant, 147 Mineola Blvd. Mineola, (516) 307-8056. Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m.; Saturday, 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.; closed Sunday. http://www.vinocony.com/.