
Tapas, paellas & pasta are served in this relaxed restaurant that has snug surroundings & a patio.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 186 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009
Phone: (646) 707-0746
Website: http://joseluisnewyork.com/
Menu Photos
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
Jose Luis Mediterranean Cuisine
Jose Luis Restaurant (@joseluisbnyc) · New York, NY – Instagram
Jose Luis Mediterranean Cuisine – New York, NY on OpenTable
Reviews
Here is what we ordered on 4/17/25
Polpettine
Paella Negra (single serving)
The total came out to around $70, tax and tip included. You might ask, why order so little? Well, we were just coming off of a brunch and decided we weren’t all too hungry by 7:15 PM but rest assured, it was enough for us. Your mileage may vary.
Here’s what I think of it:
Atmosphere: 4/5
I was hard debating on whether to drop this to a 3.5/5 instead of a 4/5, and I believe it barely ekes out its rightful spot in my eyes. A part of it was definitely the fact that Google Reviews doesn’t provide a half-star, but I digress. For starters, I believe that the restaurant has its charm, somewhere between “cozy” and “mechanical order.” I would say that this establishment would lean more towards the “cozy” were it not overshadowed by the sort of lighting that restaurants seem to be following the trend of lately: dim enough to make sure your photos aren’t crisp. Couple that with the blue hue that permeates the interior? Not for me. As an aside, two notes: 1) The green glowing sphere at the door isn’t doing any favors; 2) The party (3-4) sat across from us were rambunctious and, frankly, rude. But rest assured, that won’t be factored into point deductions; it’s unavoidable.
Service: 5/5
The service was great and near-perfect. I felt that there were small hiccups at times where we were left unnoticed, considering we entered when there weren’t many people aside from us and the aforementioned party. For added context, people did come in after we sat down for a bit. Bread service was satisfactory, we were provided a bowl for shells present in our Paella Negra, and even received a digestif—one shot each of Licor 43 on the house. I am not a big drinker and still I found it quite delicious. Very hospitable and much appreciated. Perhaps I will consider buying a bottle for myself as a homage.
Food: 3.5/5
The big thing that makes or breaks a restaurant and, after all the high ratings, why a 3.5/5? First, consider that of the many menu items, only two were ordered. Maybe we should’ve ordered something else, maybe it was a bad day, who knows? That said, if an item is on the menu, it must be good enough to be on the menu and representative of a restaurant’s quality. For example, the Polpettine. We received two meatballs in our order. Luckily, as a party of two, there was plenty to go around and certain faults could be overlooked. But for the price? In fairness, they were quite big—still wouldn’t order again. They weren’t as juicy as I might have hoped, the tomato sauce was nothing noteworthy (not jar-worthy, though), and the flavor was… average. Average all around, I’m afraid.
What about our big star, the Paella Negra? Unfortunately, also not a showstopper and uninspiring. Not all food needs to be inspiring! But again, for the price? Taste-wise, salty and lacking the seafood flavor that it was (hopefully) cooked in. The shrimp was by far the best. The marker of a good shrimp is always a good snap on the first bite, followed by a meaty chew of crunchy-tender thereafter. Lastly, the squid, clams, and mussels—the three mollusks—are grouped together not just by phylum, but by quality. Nothing again to write home about except existing for consumption, lacking flavor besides salt and a hint of seafood. If only the clams weren’t so small. For my first ever time trying a paella, disappointed I’m sorry to say. I simply don’t see what 600 other reviewers see in it but again, maybe others are better.
All in all, what would Jose Luis be placed? The numbers would dictate it to be just below the cuff of a 4.25/5. My gut-feeling X-factor dictates it be a 4/5 in finality. Would I come here again? No, not really. But did I regret my stay? No, not really.
Edit: 9/2/25
Dropped to 3/5 on further thought.
2. The service is fabulous and Jose is a gem in the neighborhood. It is so great to meet an owner who cares so much.
3. Super convenient – you’re a short walk from the L or the M8 or M14 bus – you have no excuses! 🙂