Monday, March 25, 2013

La Esquina Brasserie: NYC

Big Apple Bites

Today's restaurant I have been to on multiple occasions. It's a big deal to repeat restaurants in New York City because there are trillions of amazing spots. La Esquina Brasserie is a winner because it is unique, has a great atmosphere, and the food is fantastic. Cheap is one thing that it isn't...but I promise, it is worth it. What's great about La Esquina is it has a speakeasy vibe. To enter the restaurant, you walk up to a taco stand on the corner of Kenmare and Lafayette in SoHo, give them your name, then the hostess directs you downstairs (underneath the "hole-in-the-wall" taco shop) and through the kitchen. When you walk into the Brasserie after being led down a maze of stairs, you will love what you see: a relaxed yet trendy bar and speakeasy restaurant.
La Esquina...the restaurant-front taco stand

La Esquina...the Brasserie

Let's start with the cocktails. Both the passion fruit and blood orange margaritas are delicious (the former is much sweeter). Last time I went to La Esquina, I tried their version of a strawberry mojito with very spicy (Jalapeno-infused) tequila. It was good, but had a real kick to it.

I have yet to try a bad thing on this menu. Everything from the starter mixta salad with cabbage, string beans, cucumber, queso fresco, and a bomb mustard vinaigrette to the tuna tostadas with smoke chili aioli to the fish of the day "a la plancha" is incredible...
Queso Fundido Appetizer
queso, roasted pumpkin seeds, chile de arbol, and plaintain chips...amazing

Mexican-style Corn on the Cob

Ceviche
so fresh and tasty

Contramar
tuna tostadas

Coconut Tres Leches Cake
the most amazing piece of cake...buttermilk cake, vanilla, rum, toasted coconut

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