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Our History •
62
Charles Street (formaly known as Asylum Street) wasn't always a
restaurant. In the late 1800's, it was the sight of a busy "Horse
and Carrige" Taxi Service which drew alot of traffic to the
busy corner of West 4th and Charles Streets. In 1923, an entrepeneur
took advantage of its location by establishing "Talk of the
Town," a well situated Irish Tavern which quickly became famous
for its burgers and beers. In 1941, Sevilla Restaurant, founded by a Luis Fernandez and Alfonso Uchupi, first opened its doors
to the West Village. The restaurant still whispers hints of the
old Irish tavern, with its murals adorning the walls, original bar
and wood-cut ceilings all remaining intact. Mr. Fernandez later
sold the business to a gentelman named Tomas Gonzalez (said to be
a wonderful person to those who knew him) and his Basque partners
two sons. Mr. Gonzalez ran the business for the next few decades.
In 1962, he sold the business to Jose Lloves (then the chef of Sevilla).
Mr. Gonzalez remained as a waiter along side Jose Lloves for 30
years until he retired in 1985. From 1962 to 1972, Sevilla was run
by Mr. Lloves himself. He later asked his brother, Bienvenido Alvarez,
to be his partner and both have been running Sevilla Restaurant
ever since.
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History on W. 4th Street •
By
the beginning of 1st World War, the West Village was widely known
as a bohemian enclave; with secluded side streets, full of cheap,
low rent boarding houses, menial labor and a tolerance for radicals
and noncomformity. Attention was focused on artists and writers,
painters, poets, actors, and musicians noted for their boldly innovative
work. Artists like Thomas Paine, Edgar Allen Poe, Mark Twain, and
Theodore Dreiser helped to mold the independent spirit which is
so characteristic of the West Village today. What made the West
Village so inviting to many immigrants was the freedom and diversity
that it had to offer, making it a melting pot of cultures and traditions.
The West Village was heavily populated with many European immigrants,
especially a mass of Spaniards that emigrated to the West Village
to avoid the Spanish Civil War of the 1930ıs. Most Spaniards settled
in the West Village, so from 14th Street to 8th Avenue became known
as "Little Spain." The birthplace of spanish cuisine in New
York City.
In
1961, efforts at historic preservation were started by "down zoning"
changes and by the designation of a contiguous Greenwich Village
Historic District that protected more than 2,035 structures and
encompassed most of the West Village from 6th Ave to Hudson Street.
This Greenwich Historic District is unsurpassed in Manhattan by
its collection of buildings which represent the major architectural
styles of New York beginning in the 1800ıs. Here, vernacular interpretation
stands side by side with sophisticated examples of high style architecture.
This has captured the essence of the West Village ambiance.
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Reviews •
Check out our reviews from Michelin:
 Check out our reviews from Zagats on NY1
Where
a couple can still dine for under $50 Sevilla (62 Charles Street,
929-3189): This cluttered and cacophonous Spanish taverna offers
a warm and friendly atmosphere as well as some budget priced Iberian
fare. Start with mussels in garlic sauce, a hefty Spanish tortilla
made with potatoes and eggs , or the bracing white bean, ham and
Kale soup called caldo gallego. Chicken dishes are among the most
reliable entrees: Riojana-style in a thick red wine sauce or the
chicken in hot garlic sauce. The mixed shellfish in green sauce
(olive oil, parsley, and garlic) is a potent winner, too. (Lunch:
noon to 3 P.M. Monday to Saturday; dinner: 3 P.M. to midnight Monday
to Saturday; Sunday 1 P..M. to midnight. All major credit cards).
-
New York Times, Bryan Miller
An
"old-time favorite" with "tons of character", this West Village
Spaniard is a "garlic loversı" "heaven" pairing "excellent" paella
and "fantastic green sauce" with pitchers of "to-die-for sangria";
the good "value" "never changes" - nor do the "killer" weekend waits;
P.S. "bring Scope."
-
Zagat Review
What
other people are saying about Sevilla:
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Virtual Tour of Sevilla Restaurant •
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view the virtual tour of Sevilla Restaurant you will need the Quicktime
Plug-in for your Browser.
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Photographs
•
Click
on a link bellow to see the image.
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•T-Shirts•
(click on image to enlarge)
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