SALUD!

Cyberspace: http://www.saludrestaurant.net/

Where to Find It? 142 Beekman Street New York, New York

The Grade: C+

Food Group: Spanish Tapas

How Much to Fork Over: $$$ (entrees $20 - $30; tapas $8 - $15)

Faves: The decor, Free bean dip with plantain chips, La Faldita without the yuca fries

Peeves: The wine list and most tapas

The Jibba Jab: Was in the neighborhood of downtown's South Seaport with my husband searching for a decent place to eat on a Sunday and came upon Salud!, a Spanish tapas establishment. From observing the menu, this Miami-like restaurant sounded like a great place to try. As we were sat at our table, we waited awhile for someone to take our drink order. The cocktails, including the mojitos, all looked refreshing, but, for a restaurant trying to mimic Spanish cuisine, the wine list was not impressive. We were first served the free bean dip with plantain chips, which was about the best thing of this place. The next item we received was the La Faldita (grilled mini skirt steak with yuca fries). Who would have known that you could make yuca fries so dry and tasteless? I was also disappointed to order ceviche and get diced shrimp in picante sauce. Other upsets were the overly sweetened piononos (plantains stuffed with beef and cheese) that tasted like cinnamon rolls and less than satisfactory cubanito (Cuban sandwich). Hopefully, the next tapas restaurant won't disappoint me so much!