Tuesday March 2, 2010
7:15pm (running late due to HopStop directions)
1 Perry Street

Catching up with an old friend for dinner I decdided this was a great opportunity to try someplace that’s been on my “list” for awhile. The original location is in the East Village, but we opted for the one on Perry Street (more geographically desirable for my Hoeboken-bound friend). I made a reservation for 7pm and even though I arrived 15 minutes late the hostess was gracious and pointed me to my friend, who was passing the time with a mojito at the bar. We were seated immediately and our server was fabulous – attentive, knowledgeable and didn’t rush us as we ignored the menu and chatted for the first 20 minutes.

Cocktail:

• Blackberry Gimlet (a nice twist on the classic)

Dinner (shared):

• Tuna ceviche with sweet onion, pickled watermelon and jalapeño-soy
• Braised short rib tacos (one of the specials) – 2 per order
• Fish tacos – 2 per order
• YB mixed “fries” including avocado, hearts of palm and sweet potato

Dessert (shared):

• Panqueque (dulce de leche crepe, spiced pumpkin seeds, pistachio ice cream)
• Tres Leches Parfait (tres leches, mexican chocolate mousse, pisco panna cotta)
• Espresso

Over all the food was well prepared, well seasoned and combined a nice blend of Latin flavors and textures (especially the YB “fries”). The fish tacos, while probably the best I’ve had in NYC, didn’t quite hold up to the thin tortilla shell they were presented in. By the end of our meal the dining room was full and bustling – probably not the best setting for a truly intimate dinner or serious conversation – but perfect for two friends on a Tuesday night.

Good for: a small group, catching up with a friend, date night, sharing plates