Pages Navigation Menu
Categories Navigation Menu

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at NYC’s Best Mexican Joints

mexicanWhile it might seem a tad disingenuous for the majority of us to commemorate the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla, during the Franco-Mexican War, we all have plenty of reason to celebrate the abundance of stellar Mexican cuisine in New York.  So instead of OD’ing on chips, salsa, and machine-churned margaritas Cinco de Mayo, take an opportunity to check out what some of our very best restaurants have to offer this Thursday — from Cosme, with its award-winning chefs and incredible Corn Husk Meringue to April Bloomfield’s Salvation Taco and the sleeper hit & Michelin-starred Casa Enrique in Long Island City, Queens!

Cosme

Cosme
35 E 21st St
Flatiron District,New York 10010
(212) 913-9659

Headed up by Enrique Olvera, of Mexico City’s Pujol (ranked amongst the best restaurants in the world), Cosme has done wonders to catapult Mexican fare into NYC’s fine dining stratosphere.  Of course, just as much credit is owed to his team, including chef de cuisine Daniela Soto-Innes (nominated this year as a James Beard rising star), who fantastically executes refined, yet authentic creations, such as Uni Tostadas, Duck Carnitas and Cobia al Pastor, as well as pastry chef Jesus Perea; of the internet breaking Corn Husk Meringue.

Read More

Casa Enrique

Casa Enrique
5-48 49th Ave
Queens,New York 11101
(347) 448-6040

The pride of Long Island City, this Michelin starred (yet entirely unassuming) establishment has been declared by many as the best Mexican restaurant in all of New York.  So provided you can get a reservation, bring a crowd to sample as much of the menu as possible this Cinco de Mayo, from Market Fish Ceviche and Crab Tostadas, to Lengua Tacos, Chile Rellenos and Mole de Piaxtla; a heady pulse of dry peppers, almonds, raisins, plantain, sesame seeds and chocolate.

Read More

El Atoradero

El Atoradero
708 Washington Ave
Crown Heights,New York 11238
(718) 399-8226

While acolytes dutifully flocked to Denisse Lina Chavez’s tiny taco shop and diminutive cantina in the Bronx for years, a rent hike recently drove her to (of all places) Brooklyn, where a larger space has allowed her to expand on her Pueblan comfort food canon, including Huitlachoche Quesadillas made from house-nixtamilized blue corn, as well as Pozole Rojo, Albondigas Enchipotladas and Mole Poblano made from 20+ ingredients over the span of two days.

Read More

Empellon Cocina

Empellon Cocina
105 1st Ave
East Village,New York 10003
(212) 780-0999

While Alex Stupak’s taco, tequila and michelada-fueled Empellon al Pastor makes a perfect Cinco de Mayo pit stop, you can spend a more leisurely evening at his nearby East Village Cocina as well, for a five-course holiday dinner including Pistachio Guacamole, Morel Mushroom Tamales, Fried Oyster Tacos, and Chocolate Tres Leches Cake with tamarind.

Read More

Salvation Taco

Salvation Taco
145 E 39th Street
Midtown East,New York 10016
(212) 865-5800

Who knew April Bloomfield, the queen of the British gastropub, was so talented at making tacos?  That said, her bi-level Murray Hill eatery is not exactly what you’d call traditional, with tortilla fillings including Roasted Cauliflower with curried crema and Korean BBQ with kimchi and furikake, and supplementary dishes such as Chorizo Puff Pastry Handpies, Sticky Rice Tamales with Chinese sausage and Pigs Head, Cheek and Ear Tostadas topped with market peppers.

Read More

Tacombi Bleeker

Tacombi Bleeker
255 Bleecker St
West Village,New York 10014
(646) 964-5984

The third NYC outpost of Tacombi (the original is a VW bus, parked inside of a Nolita garage), this West Village shop focuses specifically on the flavors of the Yucatan, including orange and achiote-roasted Cochinita and seared, recado rojo-marinated Fish Tacos, as well as bean-filled Panuchos (fried tortillas) topped with terrifically tasty pollo asado or suckling pig.

Read More

Black Ant

Black Ant
60 2nd Ave
East Village,New York 10003
(646) 509-5435

Never eaten an ant?  What better time to try than Cinco de Mayo?  This modern Mexican restaurant incorporates the tiny insects in their signature Guacamole, as well as a jerk-rubbed Chicken, either of which would be ideally accompanied by a repast of grasshoppers, found in a creamy Bisque and a grilled corn and huitlacoche hash, and used as a crust for Shrimp, paired with cabbage slaw & habanero garlic aioli.

Read More

Abajo

Abajo
301 Church St
Tribeca,New York 10013
(212) 920-6270

Located beneath his popular Tribeca cantina, Anejo, Angelo Sosa’s mezcal-devoted Abajo (which literally means down under, in Spanish) serves inventive, street food-inspired snacks like Fried Guacamole, Cheeseburger Fundido, Gyro Tacos and Sticky Mole Ribs.  Although they’re largely intended to compliment the impressive cocktail list, as well as traditional agave service; an entire bottle of your choice, delivered with a range of accompaniments.

Read More

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *