SauceSupreme

Toro Bravo gets a reputation for having a long wait time, but that's primarily because people like to go there in big groups and order lots of food. I think the better approach would be to treat it like a real tapas joint and go solo or with one other person. A single or two-top is far easier to accommodate, and I've often been seated immediately upon entering, even on a busy night.

A great way for any visitor would be to have the chef's tasting menu. The menu rotates regularly and reflects what's available seasonally, and so it gives the kitchen a chance to showcase a few new items as well as hit up some old favorites, such as the oxtail croquettes shown above.

The tasting menu is also a good way to ensure a bit of balance in the dishes arriving, since the typical diner will automatically lean toward the entree-ish items in the effort to get something filling. With a tasting menu, vegetables like the sauteed spinach are part of the dinner, as are smaller items like the boquerones white anchovies on toast.

Of course, good things come to those who wait, and so if you're faced with a long wait time at Toro Bravo for whatever reason, it's easy enough to just have a few classic cocktails at Secret Society, the bar upstairs from the restaurant. I like the bar enough where I'll just go straight there. When hunger does strike, though, I could order off of Secret Society's food menu, but then I remember how easy it is for a lone diner to get a table downstairs.