Latin Cuisines
It’s Easy Eating Gluten Free at Oovina
Many of us have resolved to temper our carb dependence lately, which largely translates to a staunch avoidance of gluten. Easy enough to do, nowadays, considering how many diet-savvy restaurants have quickly fallen into line. But for diners whose issues are more than waistline-related, eating out remains a tricky proposition, which is why we’re so excited about Oovina…
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Inside the Arepa Factory: An Ode to Venezuelan Corn Cakes
It’s easy to look at the one-month-old Arepa Factory as a direct challenge to Caracas, now that they’re positioned mere blocks away from each other in the food-blessed East Village. But if multiple spots can peddle pizza in the very same place, why should it be any different for arepas?
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Q & A with Chef About Town Ryan Skeen
Ryan Skeen’s reputation tends to precede him. While his talent has never been disputed, he’s publically ping-ponged between six different restaurants (including V, Resto, Irving Mill, Allen & Delancey, Fish Tag and Pera Soho), in just as many years. Which would make a particularly juicy but of industry gossip if the stories about his crash-and-burn departures from each were entirely true…
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Sunset Park’s Awesome Latin American Eats
Since Brooklyn is a borough largely settled by immigrants, you’d be hard pressed to find a neighborhood that doesn’t boast a pocket of exotic, affordable, and seriously delicious eats. And Sunset Park is especially rich in multicultural influence; you’ll find a bustling Chinatown (currently the largest in New York) centralized along 8th avenue from 42nd to 68th street, and a vibrant Hispanic population west of 5th avenue. We’re focusing on the culinary imprint made by Sunset Park’s Mexican, Puerto Rican, Dominican and Ecuadorian communities, so here’s where to find a few of Brooklyn’s best tacos, cemitas, huaraches and more.,,
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ABC Cocina – Reviewed
Who would have thought one of the best places to eat right now is tucked inside a furniture and home store? But that’s exactly the case ever since ABC Carpet & Home first teamed up with Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Dan Kluger to open ABC Kitchen. Over three years later and it’s nearly as hard to get a reservation at this seasonal and local American spot, tucked inside the 19th street side of the store.
Read MoreYerba Buena Perry – Reviewed
**** — Four Stars Address: 1 Perry St., at Greenwich AvenuePhone: (212)620-0808Cuisine: Modern Latin cooking Vibe: Sleek, lively West Village haunt Occasion: Group dinner; Casual date; Night out. Hours: Dinner; Mon-Wed, 5p.m..-11:30p.m., Thu-Sat, 5p.m.-2a.m, Sun, 5p.m.-2a.m.Don’t Miss Dish: Manchego croquetes; Tilapia tacos; Lechon (Roasted suckling pig); Watermelon fries: Churros.Drink: Mezcal MaidFinish With: Cinnamon-dusted churros with dulce de leche & chocolate sauce Average Price: Appetizers, $11, Entrees, $25, Dessert, $9.Reservations: Reservations recommended. Cheat Sheet:Drink the: Mezcal MaidNibble On: Manchego croquetes, tilapia tacos, flounder limeno cevicheEat: Lechon (Roasted suckling pig)Finish With: Churros with dulce de leche & chocolate dipping sauces Capsule: Julian Medina on the rise in Greenwich Village You never really have a great meal at a bad restaurant. Did you ever notice that? Chef Julian Medina has had his share of restaurant successes, but Yerba Buena Perry is his...
Read MoreVinas
Address: 109 South Sixth St., near Bedford Ave., Williamsburg (718) 782-2333 Dinner: Sun.-Thur., 5 p.m.-11 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 5 p.m.-midnight. Closed Sundays. Cuisine: Contemporary Latin. Vibe: Vibrant Spanish villa. Occasion: Neighborhood dinner; Group dinner. Don’t miss dish: Pinchos de res (cubed filet mignon); escolar in blood orange sauce. Price: Appetizers, $7-12; entrees, $15-21; desserts, $7-8. Reservations: Accepted. These days, there are many temptations in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. I learned this en route to Viñas, a new Latin American restaurant in this burgeoning neighborhood. First, there’s Peter Luger. The aroma of its butter-sopped porterhouses wafts out onto the streets. Literally. If you can resist this seduction, there’s yet another: the lure of Dressler, with its romantic portrait window and sophisticated American fare. Though nearly impossible to refuse both temptations on my first visit, I persevered toward a quiet street with few signs...
Read MoreRayuela
Address: 165 Allen St., btwn. Rivington & Stanton Sts. Phone: 212.253.8840 Cuisine: “Freestyle” Latin American & Spanish Scene: Island chic Hours: Dinner, Sun-Thu, 5:30-11pm, Fri & Sat, 5:30-12pm; Brunch, Fri & Sat, 10am-5pm. First Bite Impressions: An admirable work in progress with a truly inspired cocktail menu Don’t Miss Dish: Ecuadorian seafood stew Price: Appetizers, $13; Entrees, $25. Reservations: Reservations accepted. Chef-owner Maximo Tejada (Patria & Lucy) & restaurateur Hector Sanz couldn’t have chosen a more favorable season to introduce New Yorkers to their sexy, tropical oasis with a freestyle menu that liberally wanders through Latin America & Spain. While Allen Street’s only just beginning to reap the benefits of a Lower East Side dining boom, this Latino-bent newcomer has undoubtedly made aesthetic strides on this otherwise bleak street. Rayuela’s airy, two-story space is furbished with natural wood tables,...
Read MoreMercat
The latest in a series of tapas joints to grace Manhattan kicked-off Tuesday evening after a number of setbacks and massive speculation (myself included). Of course I had to see this with my own eyes. Opening night and Noho’s newest resident was abuzz, brimming with tapas loyalists, gourmet groupies and trendy types. Every chair was taken in the narrow 90-seat space, industrially-outfitted with unfinished wood tables, brick walls and an eating counter with a view into a white subway-tiled open kitchen: think Casa Mono meets Boqueria on a dimmer. But Mercat’s most inviting accessory was a centerstage ham-and-cheese station, which will no doubt allure potential loiterers (myself included). Owner & native Barcelonian, Jaime Reixach, has enlisted chefs David Seigal (Bouley) & Ryan Lowder (Jean Georges) to employ his Catalan-inspired vision of small plates, which take the form of snails...
Read MoreHoney
243 West 14th Street (betwn. 7th & 8th Aves.) (212)620-0077 TYPE: Global cuisine VIBE: Moody Meatpacking (sans the velvet rope) OCCASION: Dining in packs or “seal the deal” late-night with a cocktail and dessert DON’T MISS DISH: Honey’s ceviche trio DON’T BOTHER DISH: Paella tapas & apple cobbler PRICE: $40 (with a cocktail) HOURS: Monday through Wednesday, 5 PM-2 AM; Thursday-Saturday 5 PM-4 AM; Sunday 5 PM-12 AM. RESTAURANT GIRL RATES: 6 (above average) SEATING: 90 seats & private room in the back (holds 40) FINAL WORD: Eat with a fast crowd – commitment phobic diners can load up on appetizers before taking their place in line at Marquee or Bungalow 8. Honey isn’t a dining destination per se, but it’s certainly an appealing Meatpacking alternative to the bouncer and velvet rope-plagued, mob scenes of late. Happily lacking the...
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