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!

Rosa Mexicano Chocolate Demo

"J" and I attended this free cooking demonstration in the NYC Union Square location at 9 E. 18th Street on 9/25.

Chef James Cawley demonstrated how to make chocolate masa for chocolate tamales filled with chicken picadillo, Mexican chocolate chip banana bread, Milk Chocolate Mouse and Mexiccino.

Audience members received tastes of each dish - yum and copies of each recipe.

Mexican Food & Corn Seminar

This free seminar was held on 9/23 at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in NYC's Financial District at 1 Bowling Green in the US Customs Building.

It was part of the 7th Annual Mexico Now Celebration in NYC.

The chef/owner of Zarela made the presentation and afterwards there was a tasting of crab and huitaloche (corn fungus), tacos, and other treats.

Eating in Corona, Queens

Doing my part to "eat locally" (my interpretation is to eat within the tri-state area of NY/NJ/CT) I tried this new Mexican establishment - Tortilleria Nixtamal. The food was fresh and tasty, the service was friendly and prompt and the outdoor seating was communal. It was a nice day to sit outside and eat an Italian Tamale (filled with sausage, mozzeralla cheese and peppers) $2.50, followed by a chicken tostada $3.00 and washed down with a Mexican mango flavored soda $1.25.