Naturally Catalan

NIU Kitchen (Downtown)

RESTAURANTS • FOUND Table

For authentic, yet innovative Catalan cuisine paired with natural wine in an intimate space, NIU Kitchen is a modern classic still flying under the radar downtown a decade after opening.

Tucked away on an unassuming block, the space is decked out with light wood shelves filled with books, monstera plants, and warm overhead lighting. NIU’s dishes range from staples of Spanish cuisine to high concept renditions.

The charbroiled oysters are prepared tableside over hot coals and served with ponzu and rice vinegar mayo. The Ous is another hit: poached eggs swimming in truffled potato foam with black truffle and crispy bits of jamon Iberico, all of which one sops up with bread. The steak tartare is nicely balanced, tangy, and rich, with crisp green apples, mustard, capers, shallots, and pickled Spanish green chilis. Meanwhile, the “cold tomato soup” topped with a dollop of mustard ice cream, basil oil, and crunchy croutons is a gazpacho to remember.

Servers well-versed in NIU’s extensive natural and biodynamic wines will recommend a bottle or glass well paired to the meal. And if NIU Kitchen is full, a sister wine bar down the block offers a similarly cozy space with a rotating selection of wines and tightly edited menu of tapas and cheese (some of which are found on NIU Kitchen’s menu as well). Either destination makes for a romantic downtown outing with Spanish flair. –Katelin Stecz

→ NIU Kitchen (Downtown) • 104 NE 2nd Ave • Tue-Thurs & Sun 6-10p, Fri & Sat 6-1030p • Reserve.