This month we are happy to feature sister restaurants, Alta and Cata owned by seasoned restaurateurs and partners, Christopher Chesnutt and Ewa Olsen.
Alta Interior Left, Cata Interior Right
Having opened its doors to patrons now for nearly 15 years, Alta Restaurant has developed into more than just a highly acclaimed fine-dining establishment. It has become a staple for the West Village Neighborhood of Manhattan to boast about and a destination for inhabitants of the surrounding boroughs to flock to. Serving tapas with a Mediterranean influence accompanied by an extensive menu of cocktails, beer and wine, Alta provides a perfect atmosphere for dining parties and appetites of all sizes. 
Should you choose to do so, you even have the option to order the entire menu of tapas, making any debate on which dishes to try null and void. The owners envisioned creating a customer experience that embodies the simplistic notion of satisfaction through a genuine experience rather than an overwhelming, in and out mentality that many diners are so used to.
Occupying a charming 19th century townhouse in the heart of the West Village, the floor gives way to 27-foot ceilings and emanates a warm, welcoming feeling upon entry. In the winter, two wood burning fireplaces make you feel at home while during the summer months the doors remain open inviting you to imagine a proximity to the Mediterranean Sea. Very few restaurants possess a track record of success like Alta’s and for that reason Chesnutt and Olsen made the wise decision to expand on the brand opening up sister restaurant, Cata in 2013.
Much like Alta, Cata’s inspiration stemmed from Mediterranean roots as well. While Olsen was visiting the country of Spain, she quickly became acclimated with what seemed to be a local staple, gin and tonic. Spanish natives to the area of Catalonia, where Olsen was staying, were drinking a lot of these and according to her for good reason; they were quite refreshing! She returned to Manhattan with a hope to capture a piece of that experience and share it, hence Cata was born. Sitting across town from Alta in the Lower East Side, Cata specializes in tapas and gin and tonics, a pairing that you’d be hard pressed to discover elsewhere. The space reverberates a traditional Spanish flair. Brick walls, in some areas adorned with the house selection of wine, enclose the restaurant’s dining area providing an immediate feeling of comfortability.
Lining the room are dark wood tables for patrons and bright red metal seats makeup the bar area where you’re able to choose from a multitude of different gin and tonics. With 40 different items, the menu of small plates also has something for everyone.
Each of their specialty drinks are carefully crafted and made with a different gin. The roster of selection currently features everything from Brooklyn (Perry’s Tot, made by New York Distilling Company) to Wisconsin (Death’s Door). Mixed and matched with a surprising variety of tonics, a truly unique experience is inevitable. Yet, for those lacking the palate or curiosity to enjoy these concoctions, Cata also offers a list of cocktails, spirits, an extensive selection of wine and a handful of different beers to try including Barcelona’s Estrella Damm on tap.
So whether you are looking to spend an intimate evening with your significant other or explore a piece of the Mediterranean with a group of friends, both Alta and Cata provide an aesthetic dining experience with enough variety for even the most ambitious taste-buds.
Head over to their websites to have a closer look at the menu selections or book a reservation today:
Alta Website: http://www.altarestaurant.com/welcome
Cata Website: http://catarestaurant.com/
Alta Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Alta-Restaurant-111486755558176/
Cata Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cata-434941196559867/
Alta Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/altanyc/?hl=en
Cata Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catarestaurant/?hl=en
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