What to Eat at Melibea, Jesus Nuñez’s Newest West Village Restaurant

Homemade Pasta with Beef Oxtail Stew, Octopus, Roasted Fennel, and Pearl Onions Photo: Melissa Hom

Add this to the list of restaurants that could save your life: Jesus Nuñez is opening a place adjacent to Barraca, his Spanish spot on Greenwich Avenue, on Monday, April 8. Melibea will offer Spanish food with a Mediterranean twist; the Madrid native is drawing inspiration from Italy, Greece, Israel, and Northern Africa. He’s spicing up standard dishes salmon-and-scallop carpaccio with unexpected accents like tomato ice cream, and making wild boar goulash, too. Melibea’s PR offered a super-sexy (uncomfortably sexy) description of the space: “Melibea embodies a soft, delicate aesthetic that exhibits round curves, aged brass, walnut wood floors, and vintage velvet banquettes … Melibea is the actress and the restaurant is her stage.” Well, okay. It’s safe to say this is a good date spot. Take a look at the menu and a few of the dishes, ahead.