We're spending a weekend in the city to celebrate my forty-"one"derful birthday. Our first night, I'd love to go for Mexican since it's been ages since I've had it. I'm not looking for a truely "authentic" experience. Just a place with good margaritas, chips, and some fresh food, not too expensive (if we can get out of their under $75 for the two of us, all the better). So you know any good, small or, even divey places?
Hi Kim, You won't get out for under $75, but I like Mesa Grill http://www.mesagrill.com/ They have their menu and prices online. Killer Margaritas! I often order 2 appetizers for dinner. Judie
Posts: 227 | Location: Racine, WI | Registered: 20 August 2003
Happy birthday! In January my husband and I stopped in at
Sombrero ($$$) Mexican
303 W 48th St, New York 10036 At 8th Ave
after a show and because it was near our hotel. They had very tasty two for one margaritas (good thing it was right near the hotel-I was celebrating my big four oh that weekend) and the food was good, not great but good. There are diner reviews on menupages.com
And I like the forty "one"derful! I've been trying to figure out how to make 41 a milestone too, that works for me! Have fun!
I know this doesn't meet what you are looking for but I thought I'd add it to the thread for any future searches. I've eaten at Itzocan Cafe in the East Village and it was very good. It is not 'tex-mex' or typical gringo Mexican. It is more creative since the chefs come from Puebla and have a French cooking background. Everything tasted great and there were some unusual dishes. It is real small (14 seats) and it only serves beer and wine (BYO). Not expensive.
I really love Dos Caminos, the one in Soho. Great food and great drinks, low lighting, good service.
I also love Mexican Radio on Cleveland Place. It used to be the size of a closet and lots of fun, but the expanded to a larger location. Good grub there.
Thanks for all the recommendations everyone! Stella, I'm thinking Mexican Radio fits the bill nicely. Is it the type of place that I need/should make reservations? Or can we just show up?
They take reservations, but I am not sure that you need them. On a weekend night in NYC, if you want to eat at a prime time, why not make them and not worry.
Either way, they have great margaritas (they sell them by the pitcher!) and guac, so you can arrive a little early and get soused first!
Another late entry - and another vote for Rosa Mexicana. It's on 62nd and Columbus, right across from the stage door of the NY State theater. Upscale, somewhat creative Mexican. Nice dining room - not too noisy - tables aren't on top of each other. It kind of caters to the Lincoln Ctr crowd, but I still like it.
but getting out for $75 will be tough at any of these
I've found this discussion rather amusing. I admit it must be about four decades since I've had anything Mexican in NYC and that was on the edge of the Village and it was "dirt cheap," but these prices astound me! Do they reflect a $40 New York surcharge? Personally, Mexican would not be my first choice in NY since I can get it so readily elsewhere, so maybe I should be more charitable for those who can't.
I've eaten in many Mexican restaurants in the Kansas City area where there is a sizable Mexican population, and surprisingly, we have a good restaurant very close to us here in western NC, where there is a growing Latino population (think "Christmas tree farms"). Now, honestly, some of these might be considered "Tex-Mex," but I've also had "genuine" Mexican food in Austin and San Antonio, and in none of these did the cost for two come anywhere near $75! Is it, possibly, the ambiance or the decor?
Hard for me to imagine that the downtown restaurant Kim selected from stella's recommendation will cost anything near $75 for two.
Yep, that's what I'm thinking. Stella pretty much nailed exactly what we're looking for and I can't wait to go there on Friday night. Oh and as to Mexican in the city. It's my birthday. I haven't gone out for Mexican food in almost two years. I have a craving and we have the opportunity. If we were celebrating my birthday in Osh Kosh, I'd still probably want Mexican.
If we were celebrating my birthday in Osh Kosh, I'd still probably want Mexican.
And, as any of us former or current New Yorkers might say, "You're entitled!
I said I was amused because Mexican food has been so readily available - and very reasonable - any place I've lived for the past 24 years that it was hard for me to imagine that it would be viewed as celebratory for a special occasion. If I were to guess, I'd say we'd probably eaten "Mexican" at least ten times a year for each of those years.
I hope you have a delicious meal and a very good time!
Nope Ann, for the last 18 months I've been dropping weight so Mexican has pretty much been out, that coupled with the fact we only have chain restaurants in this area for Mexican, I just haven't had the urge. The actualy "celebratory meal" will take place on Saturday night. The Mexican is just a warm-up .
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