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Ian Hunter's Guide to New York's Best Restaurants, Bars, and Gourmet Markets
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MEXICAN / LATIN AMERICAN
 
Calle Ocho: New Latin. 446 Columbus @ 81-2nd; 23/22/$46; 873-5025; Energetic atmosphere and strong Latin drinks- especially mojitos; Fun setting, festive; Creative and tasty food. Feels like a vacation;


Café Frida: Mexican. 368 Columbus @ 77-8th; 20/16/$38; 712-2929; Guac is memorable;  Potent Drinks- especially margaritas; Upbeat setting; Certainly a fun, casual date spot with reliable Mexican. Usual menu


Rosa Mexicana: Mexican. 61 Columbus @ 62nd;  23/21/$48; 753-7407; Flashy; Great date spot; Show off NY dining here; Guacamole made at table is best in the city, sorry Dos Caminos; Pomegranate Margaritas top notch and strong;  

 
Guantanamera: Cuban. 939 8th Av @ 55-6th; 21/15/$36; 262-5354; Lively, energetic Cuban fare; Live music; Sugarcane Mojitos; High energy; Date spot.  Authentic food surprisingly good; Cigars.

 

Victor’s Café: Cuban. 236 W 52nd @ B-Way-8th Av; 22/19/$49; 586-7714; Lively Cuban; High energy dining; Delicious Cuban classics & modern takes on traditional dishes; Strong, creative drinks.

 
Toloache: Mexican. 251 W 50th @ B-Way – 8th Av; 23/1/8/$46; 581-1818; Bold new flavors at this creative new Mexican; Huge tequila selection ( 100+) & potent Margaritas; Décor is murals of Mexican scenes.


Hell’s Kitchen: Mexican. 679 9th Av @ 46-7th; 23/16/$43; 977-1588; Creative dishes; Walk in only; Small location; Great food; Toxic Margaritas; Sleek interior. One of the first ‘upscale’ Mexicans.

 
Suenos: Mexican. 311 W 17th @ 8-9thAv; 23/19/$45; 243-1333; Upscale Mexican on a secluded street; Great food worth the extra money for the genre. Lobster empanadas stand out. Margaritas yummy.  

 
Crema: Mexican. 111 W 17th @ 6-7th; 21/18/$44; 691-4477; Energetic place with high end Mexican, powerful drinks, & creative food choices. Steers clear from the usual Mexican fare in hopes of inspiring

 

Son Cubano: Cuban. 405 W 14th @ 9th Av-Wash; 21/21/$45; 366-1640; High energy good times always; Truly authentic food you pay for in this genre but worth it; Potent drinks; Fairly loud and festive.


Mexicana Mama: Mexican. 525 Hudson @ Charles-10th; 23/13/$35; 924-4119;  Creative, Fantastic, affordable food; Tiny, cramp. Mouthwatering Dishes. Best for lunch or non-formal dinner; Outstanding food; Chile roasted tacos.

 

Cabrito: Mexican. 50 Carmine @ Bedford-Bleecker; 22/17/$36; 929-5050; Mexican comfort food; Incredible tacos; Roasted goat; Wall tile décor but-  Laid back, fun & tasty – what Mexican should be.
 

Mercadito: Mexican. 100 7th Av @ Bleecker-Grove; 24/18/$39; Tapas-style; Margaritas are outstanding; Designer Tacos. Small plates of shareable Mexican food.  Also, a cheese fondue; Open kitchen;

 
Negril: Jamaican. 70 W 3rd St @ LaGuardia; 20/17/$34; 228-9440; Large Caribbean clientele; Jamaican/ Caribbean food; Reggae Cool; Jerk chicken and a solid breakfast. Also a Chelsea location- see website.

 
Cuba: Cuban. 222 Thompson @ Bleecker; 22/20/$37; 420-7878;  Mojitos rule the place; Lively, fun; Live music. The salsa and the halibut stand out; Authentic island tastes; Every night a party here.

 
Ideya: Caribbean. 349 W BWay @ Broome-Grand; 20/15/$33; 625-1441; Casual, fun vibe; Mojitos are top notch; Pan roasted Mahi mahi stands out; Truly a party vibe and a fun date place. Place to celebrate.

 
Papatzul: Mexican. 55 Grand @ W-BWay; 23/17/$38; 274-8225; Fusion of ultra gourmet and traditional classics at this rustic, yet lively space; Affordable pricing and super-strong drinks add to the experience. Name means: Mayan for “Food of the Gods”.

 
Dos Caminos: Mexican. 475 W B-Way @ Houston; 21/21/$43; 277-4300; Great upscale Mexican; Sexy setting; Energetic scene perfect for dates; Margaritas will put you under; Guacamole is tremendous; Steve Hanson empire journeys on.

 
Boca Chica: Pan Latin. 13 1st Av @ 1st St; 20/16/$29; 473-0108; Tons of fun and very lively place; Very inexpensive and a good time; Bohemian crowd. Known for great shrimp dishes. Creative, strong drinks.

 

Yuca Bar: Latin American. 111 Av A @ 7th St;  21/16/$30; 982-9533; Funky; Inventive cuisine; Mojitos; Sangria; Candle lit. Young energy with a cool “in” scene; Great meat dishes, tapas & empanadas.

 
Itzocan: Mexican. 438 9th St @ Av A – 1st Av; 24/12/$34; 677-5856; Unbelievable find featuring very inexpensive but perfectly prepared Mexican;  Great value-  Good as it gets! Hole in the wall setting; Cash only but you’ll have plenty after bill; UES location is better with French-influenced cuisine. 

 

Mercadito: Mexican. 179 Av B @ 11-12th; 24/18/$39; Tapas-style Mexican; Margaritas are outstanding; Designer Tacos. Small plates of shareable Mexican food.  Also, a cheese fondue; Open kitchen;

 

Rosa Mexicana: Mexican. 9 E 18th St @ BWay-5th Av;  23/21/$48; 533-3350;  Flashy; Great date spot; Show off NY dining here; Guacamole made at table is best in the city, sorry Dos Caminos; Pomegranate Margaritas top notch and strong; 


Dos Caminos: Mexican. 373 Park @ 26-7th; 21/21/$43; 294-1000; Great upscale Mexican; Sexy setting; Energetic scene perfect for dates; Margaritas will put you under; Guacamole is tremendous; Steve Hanson empire journeys on.
 
El Parador Café: Mexican. 325 E 34th @ 1-2nd; 22/16/$43; 679-6812; Under the radar; Very good spot; Sangria & superb Margaritas; Thrown-back Mexican cuisine; Absolute winner without tabs of high end Mexican; Friendly staff.


Pampano: Mexican. 209 E 49th @ 2nd-3rd; 24/23/$55; 751-4545; Famous chef Richard Sandoval; Elegant, Seafood oriented menu; Classy great Mexican; High energy staffers; Tuna steak; Black bass; Two levels; Great for parties and large groups as well; European infused Mexican.

 
Dos Caminos: Mexican. 825 3rd Av @ 50th;  21/21/$43; 336-5400; Great upscale Mexican; Sexy setting; Energetic scene perfect for dates; Margaritas will put you under; Guacamole is tremendous; Steve Hanson empire journeys on.
 
Zarela: Mexican. 953 2nd Av @ 50-51st; 22/17/$42; 644-6740; Two levels- lower level has happening bar; Powerful Margaritas will make you want to skip dinner; Decent prices for high end Mexican; Perfect, festive date spot or after work for a drink. Real Mexican cuisine.

 

Sofrito: Puerto Rican. 400 E 57th @ 1st Av – Sutton; 22/20/39;  Party atmosphere;  Sangrias; Mojitos; Authentic food; Fun setting; Huge portions. Can get loud but it’s a party.

 

Rosa Mexicana: Mexican. 1063 1st Av @ 58th;  23/21/$48; 753-7407;  Flashy; Great date spot; Show off NY dining here; Guacamole made at table is best in the city, sorry Dos Caminos; Pomegranate  Margaritas top notch and strong; 

 
Cabana: New Latin. 1022 3rd Av @ 60-61st; 21/17/$36; 980-5678; Part of a mini chain but the Cuban infused food is scrumptious; Amazing Mojitos; High energy and stylish; You will walk out full.


Maya: Mexican. 1191 1st Av @ 64-5; 24/20/$49; 585-1818; Upscale new Mexican; Gourmet food; Superior margaritas; Beautiful, young crowd;  Steak tacos; Seared scallops stand out; 85 tequilas.  


Zocalo: Mexican. 174 E 82nd @ 3rd; 22/15/$42; 717-7772; People Watching from the solid bar; Great, underrated food; Large assortment of Strong margaritas;  Kobe beef tacos; Solid guacamole appetizer.

 
Itzocan: Mexican. 1575 Lex @ 101st; 24/12/$34;423-0255;  Unbelievable find featuring very inexpensive but perfectly prepared Mexican;  Great value- Good as it gets! Hole in the wall setting; Cash only but you’ll have plenty after bill; UES location is better with French-influenced cuisine.