I admit that I'm one who does not necessarily shy away from food, in all honestly, I love it. This weekend I decided to hit NYC with some friends to enjoy the holiday and get away from the snowy (still) streets of Boston. I can honestly tell you that I'm delirious, exhausted, worn out, done, dead, gone. It was an amazing trip and my love for the city just keeps growing and growing.
Friday night we headed to La Esquina for dinner and drinks, and it's a shame to admit that it's only until now that I happened to go. My best friend had mentioned it to me a few times but I had never paid attention, I thought Mexican food can often be over-rated or just not done properly -- there are so many people who try and fail with the concept. But NOT La Esquina. The food was incredible!
The restaurant, which is the subterranean brasserie branch of Serge Becker's Mexican axis of Kenmare street, features fresh authentic Mexican food in three different spaces at one time. Get it? Well if you don't I'll explain. First theres the Taqueria - which serves a small lunch counter, to go, and deliveries from 8am till 2am. Then there's the Cafe - which serves full lunch, brunch, and dinner menu. Last but not least theres the Brasserie and Bar - which serves an extensive dinner menu in a dramatic basement atmosphere.
At first I was skeptical, we showed up to the above, and I was like okay.. Here I am dressed in YSL pumps and a Helmut Lang dress, fully made up and I'm eating a taqueria stand, but not quite. Once we walked inside, a reservationist asked if we had "dined with them before" and in general it takes knowing the guy at the door, who has a mean poker face, to walk downstairs to where all the action really takes place. Lucky for us, our friend was a regular.
Once in the "basement," I was shocked to find an eclectic crowd of hipsters and beautiful people enjoying the absolutely incredible food, in a space that was once styled as a Mexican dungeon for a Vogue shoot. With metalwork, distressed stone walls, and old wooden tables with minimum lighting, the place is almost sexy.
If you're ever in New York, stop by La Esquina - you won't regret it I promise! You'll have to order some of my favorites from the menu:
1) Elotes Callejeres - grilled mexican street corn covered in cotija cheese and some spices
2) Tostadas de Congrejo - lump crabmeat tossed with chipotle mayo and mango on a crispy tortilla
3) Taquitos de Bistic - marinated steak tacos with onions and salsa roja
4) Taquitos de Pollo Rostizado - chicken tacos with cilantro and salsa verde
5) Tostadas Contramar - tuna with cucumber and smoked chili aioli served on a crispy tortilla
You won't regret it! Cheers! The Aristochic
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