Sometimes I’m hit with the desire to glam up and meet some friends out at the comfortable bar of a good restaurant for a night of cocktailing and an array of tasty nibbles. One of my favorite spots to do this is at The Press in midtown, a restaurant I’ve come to respect and admire over the past few years because of its consistent, reliable quality, exuberantly fresh menu items and lickety-split service. The Press has lots of fun small plates to try, and I always enjoy the restaurant’s “3 for $10” tapas, which include the kitchen’s signature fried meatballs, served with a tangy, bracing garlic yogurt sauce; the comforting mini-plate of octopus and paprika-embellished potato chunks; and the creamy goat cheese-stuffed piquillo peppers. My favorite nibble, however, is the kitchen’s fabulous grilled calamari, placed atop a nest of white beans, roasted peppers, and peppery arugula leaves. Note: Save room for The Press’ indulgent, warm dark chocolate lava cake.
