This tapas restaurant was Mario Batali's first foray outside of the Italian kitchen, and we are happy to report that the small plates cuisine of Spain seems to have survived Batali-azation. Sure, the food that chef de cuisine Andy Nusser serves is not quite as authentic as what you will find at some of the other tapas specialists in town, but if you are looking for a casual meal between dinners at the city's top restaurants, Casa Mono is a good choice. Negatives are that it's "loud, cramped and crowded," plus they don't allow you to BYOB. But "if you can shoehorn into a seat," you will find "food that is consistently delicious."