La Esquina

...is located at 114 Kenmare Street. But the Brasserie is located downstairs below the Taqueria. If you are lucky to score a reservation you have to walk through the Taqueria, then be escorted downstairs through the kitchen to the dining room.

It seems very exclusive, but the food is authentic Mexican. No guacamole and salsa here!

"B" and "S" stared with Coronas ($7/each) while "W" and I braved the extra potent frozen margaritas ($12/each).

We shared several dishes:

Queso Fundido - warm cheese with plaintain chips ($12)

Chorizo Empanadas (2 for $5.50)

Tinga de Pollo Tostada - shredded chicken on crisp tostada shell (3 for $12)

Shrimp Taquitos (2 for $5)

Huitlacoche Quesadilla - it's corn fungus, but it tastes like mushrooms ($11)

Entree special Suckling Pig - very juicy with crisp skin ($32)

Avocado - sliced avocado ($4.50)

Grilled Corn on a stick - covered in butter and cheese ($1/each)

Platanos - fried sweet plaintains ($5)

Rice and black peas ($4.50)

And for dessert we shared the Mexican Chocolate Cake with cinnamon ice cream ($9) and the Bunuelos - caramelized banana napoleon with toasted almond ice cream ($9).

Muy delicioso!

Happy in Havana

Well, I was actually at Happy Hour in Havana NYC...a cuban restaurant in NYC's Midtown area near Bryant Park at 27 West 38th Street.

Weeknights between 3-7pm is Half Price Happy Hour. Specialty drinks and food are half priced.

"J" and I both a Margarita (each regularly $12, HH $6). Then we shared 3 appetizers:

Calamares Fritos – Fried Calamari with a Caribbean Cocktail Sauce (reg $12, HH $6)
Tri of Empanadas: lobster, beef, spinach & cheese (reg 3 for $10; HH $5)
Tostones Camarones – Shrimp in Garlic Sauce with green plaintains (reg $12, HH $6).

The drinks were weak, but the food was good although they served cocktail sauce with the calamari.