Mexican Cuisines
Mexican Breakfast On-the-Go at Gotham West Market
Gotham West Market’s newest tenant, Choza Taqueria, recently took over the small storefront vacated by Caroline Fidanza’s Little Chef. Overseen by Akhtar Nawab (who’s culturally Indian and French trained, but spent time at the helm of a succession of Mexican restaurants, such as La Esquina and La Cenita), Choza serves tasty, roadside-inspired fare well into the evening — such as Shrimp, Chicken, Lamb or Pork Tacos, Mahi Mahi Ceviche and cheesy Elote — but also offers a surprisingly sizable and diverse menu during breakfast…
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First Bite: Cafe El Presidente
Mexican food is one of the cuisines we crave most consistently when the weather is warm — because what’s more evocative of sun, sand and surf than spicy salsa, tasty tacos and colorful ceviches? And the addition of frosty drinks like pina coladas and margaritas certainly doesn’t hurt. That’s why spring seems a particularly auspicious time to debut the expansive Café El Presidente, an ambitious new Mexican restaurant from the awesome Tacombi team..
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Where to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo
Historically speaking, Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican militia’s victory over the French army during The Battle Of Puebla in 1862. It’s retained its significance in the city of Puebla to this day, but has also evolved to become more of a celebration of Mexican pride and culture throughout the U.S. Which means that, yes, Cinco de Mayo is indeed an excellent excuse to overindulge on tacos, guacamole, tequila shots and margaritas — and from Los Americanos in Tribeca to Mission Cantina on the Lower East Side and Habana Outpost in Brooklyn, here are a few terrific places to do just that…
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Alphabet City’s Most Authentic Mexican Street Food
We’re a tad preoccupied with Latin American eats this week and thanks to hip cantinas like Empellon Cocina and Toloache, the modern taco has been elevated to gourmet status. But let’s not forget its humble beginnings as a Mexican street food staple. Much like the ubiquitous New York pretzel stands, vendors selling tacos and other antojitos (snack foods) pepper city corners and roadsides all over Mexico, their most popular offering arguably being the taco. Hungry foodies craving a truly authentic, no-frills taco will find just that at Zaragoza Mexican Deli & Grocer in the East Village…
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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.
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Tacombi’s Cinco de Mayo Chilaquiles
Since Cinco de Mayo falls on a Sunday this year, it only makes sense to kick off your celebrations with brunch. And there are plenty of places in the city to indulge in hearty, Mexican breakfast dishes, like Migas, Huevos Rancheros, or Chilaquiles Verdes. We especially love Tacombi’s tasty Chilaquiles; a pile of homemade tortilla chips topped with salsa verde, crèma fresca, pickled onions, and two sunny side up eggs.
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The City’s Best Cinco de Mayo Celebrations
What immediately springs to mind when you think of Cinco de Mayo? Probably pitchers of sangria, frosty, salt-rimmed margaritas, baskets of chips and salsa, and all the tacos you can eat. But technically, the holiday commemorates the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France, at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. Considered a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, Cinco de Mayo has since evolved into a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, which, for the gringos among us, pretty much translates to tequila in all forms and all the tacos we can eat. And since Cinco de Mayo falls on a Sunday this year, that leaves us with plenty of work-free hours to party at terrific restaurants all over the city, from El Toro Blanco in the West Village and Gran Electrica in Brooklyn to Pachanga Patterson in the East Village. Gran...
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The Tastiest Cemitas in New York
When it comes to sandwiches, we tend to think, well, more is more. We’re talking about All-American Submarines, piled high with cold cuts, mayo and extra cheese, or sloppy Italian Heroes, heavy with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and juicy meatballs. But as far as gloriously outsized sandwiches are concerned, the Mexican Cemita just may top them all.
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Trendspotting: “New” Mexican Cuisine in NYC
If you take a moment to reflect, you’ll find there’s been a slow and steady expansion of regional Mexican influence in the city. And we’re not just talking tiny, hole-in-the-wall taquerias in the outer boroughs and giant, midtown Tex-Mex chains. Fine-dining establishments have also taken inspiration from the flavors of Oaxaca, Puebla and Veracruz.
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El Toro Blanco – Reviewed
I know it’s cliche to say, but good Mexican really is hard to find in New York. I’m not saying there aren’t good dishes or a few good restaurants scattered about the boroughs. There are… a few, but it’s hard to find a joint that can master a proper margarita, tamale, and mole. That’s a whole other level and plenty of places don’t even offer tamales or a cactus salad (I love a good ensalada de nopalitos). Instead, they stick to what I call “mass Mexican,” like burritos, quesadillas and tacos. Then, there’s the other side of the spectrum, like Tehuitzingo Mexican Deli. This grungy, Hell’s Kitchen spot makes hyper authentic sopes topped with goat’s meat (barbacoa), huitlacoche quesadilas and killer tacos el pastor. But they don’t have a liquor license or much in the way of seating and...
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Tortilleria Nixtamal’s Pozole
New York definitely isn’t lacking in the Mexican restaurant department. Every neighborhood has its own, from the small bodega-taquerias to the larger chains. And while all have their merits, not many are as authentic as Tortilleria Nixtamal. We can’t get enough of the fresh tamales and fish tacos at this Queens gem, but come fall, our go-to dish is the Pozole.
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Empellón Cocina
After exhibiting a few growing pains at his often hit-or-miss gourmet taco shop, Empellón Taqueria, former pastry chef Alex Stupak presented a fully realized vision of high-flying Mexican food at Empellón Cocina this year. An excellent starter of Pistachio Guacamole (why has no one ever thought of this before?) comes sided with a heap of masa crisps, Fried Whitbait makes a tasty appearance in fish tacos, topped with a smear of sprightly key lime mayo, and a Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder is like an elevated mash-up of homey, regional Mexican favorites, accented with masa gnocchi, radishes, and pozole...
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Empellon Cocina’s Pumpkin Seed Cake
Dessert isn’t usually the first thing most people think of when going for Mexican food. Then again, you wouldn’t think an acclaimed pastry chef would open a Mexican joint and leave the pastry department to his wife. You’ll want to broaden your horizons and save room for dessert at Empellon Cocina. Alex Stupak pushed the envelope at WD-50 and he continues to do so at his innovative and modern Mexican. One of the best things they’re serving at the restaurant is a Pumpkin Seed Cake. What arrives on the plate is a long, rectangular slice of moist, spicy cake, topped with crumble, strawberries, cajeta, and drizzled with brown butter. The final touch is an ice cream quenelle. Heck, we’d pop in for a shot of tequila and this blissfully complicated sweet...
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La Esquina
This trendy, deli-front restaurant is one part taqueria, one part brasserie, and another part café. With three different restaurants in one, you’ll be able to get your ceviche fix even if you can’t secure a table in the cafe below. La Esquina’s taqueria, open from 8 a.m. to 2 am., features a modest lunch counter and does mostly to-go and delivery orders, but you can get ceviche pretty much anytime you’re craving it.
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Maya
Few chefs manage to maintain tradition while being fiercely innovative as well as Richard Sandoval. He’s got an empire of Mexican restaurants to prove it, including Pampano and Zengo right here in Manhattan. But Maya was his first foray into the restaurant scene back in 1997, helping launch Mexican cuisine into the world of fine dining.
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Rosa Mexicano
Say what you will about chain restaurants, but Rosa Mexicano defies the stereotypes. For starters, the guacamole, mashed up tableside, is inarguably good. Then there’s the addicting “Frozen Pomegranate Margarita.” But the thing that truly elevates this chain is the ceviche, especially their Hamachi Tacos and Rock Shrimp variation.
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New York’s Best Tacos
It used to be that Mexican food in New York ranked far below any you’d get on the West Coast. Despite what your friends in California might say, the city’s Mexican has come a long way, especially in the taco department.
Read MoreMesa Coyoacan
Cuisine: Mexican Vibe: Laid-back chic Occasion: Group dinner, communal dining, neighborhood bites Don’t Miss: Tacos de suadero, enchiladas de mole, churros Price: Appetizers, $8; entrées, $14; desserts, $4.50 Reservations: Accepted only for six or more Phone: (718) 782-8171 Location: 372 Graham Ave., between Skillman Ave. and Conselyea St., Brooklyn The first time I ate tacos de suadero was from a street cart in Mexico City. The persuasive aroma of cooked meats and freshly baked, corn tortillas drifted down the crowded, sweltering streets. I had no idea what “suadero” even meant, but when I eyed the meat simmering in a deep metal pan, I had to order it. It’s Spanish for thin, smooth brisket, and in the right hands, it’s amazingly tender and tasty. You rarely see tacos de suadero in New York. But they’re on the menu at Mesa...
Read MoreLa Superior / The General Greene
La Superior 295 Berry St., near S. Second St., Brooklyn, (718) 388-5988. Mon.-Thu. 12:30 p.m.-midnight, Fri.-Sun, 12:30 p.m. – 2 a.m. Cuisine: Mexican street food Vibe: Dingy taqueria Occasion: Destination dining Don’t miss dish: Mushroom quesadillas, enchiladas suizas Average price: Appetizers, $4; entries $10. Reservations: No reservations, cash only, BYOB. To say La Superior is understated is an understatement. “Do you think this is it?” a friend said nervously. We were standing outside a dingy storefront on an empty street in Williamsburg. “It must be,” I answered cheerily. “I need a cocktail,” she grumbled as she followed me through the door. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that the restaurant doesn’t have a liquor license. The dining room at La Superior looks like a diner on its last legs. The table settings are disposable – red and...
Read MoreMiranda
Miranda offers a marriage of Mexican and Italian food. A block north of Bedford Ave. in Williamsburg, old women sit in lawn chairs along the sidewalk, fanning themselves with the crossword puzzle. Kids play catch in the middle of the street. A cyclist stops to high-five a friend through the large open window of a restaurant. It’s a new spot, open only since December, but already it seems to belong to the old neighborhood. It’s called Miranda. Inside, the tables are set with dishtowel napkins and grandmother china. Most nights, the co-owner, Mauricio Miranda, greets you at the door. And if he’s not there to greet you, you might want to come back another night. That’s how much difference his presence makes. The other co-owner is Miranda’s fiancée, Sasha Rodriguez, who is the chef. She and Miranda met...
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