This Is TASTE 725: The Recipe For a Classic NYC Restaurant with Alex Raij
Feb 4, 2026
Alex Raij, chef and co-owner of Txikito, La Vara and St. Julie Bear, blends Spanish and Basque influences with playful, product-forward concepts. She talks about childhood capeletti, her trusty Vitamix, favorite cookbooks, seafood splurges, reopening Txikito, and creating lively neighborhood restaurants focused on hospitality and accessible luxury.
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Freedom As Achievement
- Raij defines her greatest achievement as the freedom to create restaurants on her own terms.
- She believes that independence creates space for others and pushes New York to be more creative.
A Dish That Defines Her Aesthetic
- The squid ribbons at Txikito embody Raij's aesthetic: product focus, reinterpretation, and playful nods to her pasta roots.
- She uses traditional Basque elements but interprets them rather than replicating tradition literally.
Hooky Lunches At Port Arthur Cafe
- Raij nostalgically recalls Port Arthur Cafe in her hometown as a secret place she visited with her mom while playing hooky.
- The family-run spot's visible prep and communal table convinced her she wanted to be part of that world.