Cabrito
Chef David Schuttenberg serves up a delicious medley of Mexican flavors at this cozy West Village restaurant. Authenticity is the key word here, and although Shuttenberg may not be a Mexican native, he's created an exciting menu filled with many traditional south of the border recipes like pit-roasted goat served on a banana leaf with homemade flour tortillas and fiery jalapeños stuffed with capers, pumpkin seeds, raisins and shredded snapper. Cabrito's bar offers over 70 tequilas, 10 different varieties of mescal, and margaritas that will knock your socks off.
Cabrito
50 Carmine St.
New York, NY 10014
(212) 929-5050
cabritonyc.com
Maya
This upscale eatery on Manhattan's Upper East Side showcases the ambitious Mexican cuisine of talented chef Richard Sandoval. Maya's earthy hacienda atmosphere creates the perfect backdrop in which to enjoy Sandoval's creative concoctions, like stuffed poblano peppers, papaya green apple salad, and chili chipotle-mustard grilled red snapper. Maya also gives you some very good reasons to save room for dessert, like caramelized goat milk crepes, mango sorbet and dark chocolate flan. Maya's tequila bar features over 100 tequilas and mescals which you can sample on the cheap during daily happy hour, which is from 5 to 7 p.m.
Maya
1191 First Ave.
New York, NY 10021
(212) 585-1818
modernmexican.com/mayany
Rosa Mexicano
This stylishly modern Mexican restaurant near Union Square serves what is arguably the best homemade guacamole in Manhattan, and they prepare it table side. With dramatic architecture and cascading waterfalls lighting up the walls, Rosa Mexicano is not your typical Mexican restaurant. In fact, Rosa Mexicano is part of a highly successful restaurant chain with three locations in New York alone. The atmosphere is hardly chain-like; however, and the chefs here prepare the food as if you were a guest in their home. In addition to Rosa Mexicano's award-winning guacamole, popular menu items include enchiladas rancheras, crispy pork shank served with red bean chorizo chilli, and salmon over a black bean and tropical fruit mole. The pomegranate margarita is also to die for.
Rosa Mexicano
9 E. 18th St.
New York, NY 10003
(212) 533-3350
rosamexicano.com
Article Written By Charlie Higgins
Charlie Higgins is a writer, translator, editor and social-media consultant based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Originally from Connecticut, Higgins holds bachelor's degrees in media studies and music from Oberlin College. He currently works for the financial inclusion and microenterprise news website Microdinero.
