In NYC for the weekend- Best Modern Mexican Cuisine? authentic?

[foodie_214]

I will be traveling to NYC and I am looking for some great modern mexican cuisine? Please dont suggest Dos Caminos. I was thinking, La Esquina, Barrio Chino, any others out there?
Some whole in the wall mexican food would be fabulous as well!
Any suggestions please?

[agourmandslife]

Good luck, Mexican food is weak here. That said, for modern Mexican, Crema and Suenos are about the best you will find.

[thew]

mexican food has improved tremendously here over the last decade as the mexican community swelled, and as mexican line cooks branched out and opened their own places

[El Tigre]

mexican radio (www.mexrad.com), el portal, or barrio chino would be my recommendations

[chow_gal]

My favorites: Mexicana Mama, Suenos, Hell's Kitchen, Rocking Horse Cafe.

[Rmis32]

I didn't get the feeling it was particularly authentic, but Pampano (the dining room upstairs, not the taqueria) is an attractive room, serving an upscale Mexican seafood menu.

[MMRuth]

I was going to suggest Pampano, as well as Bistro Itzocan, which I think is well worth checking out.

[gutsofsteel]

Itzocan is a good idea - I'd suggest the uptown one because then you can walk up a little around el barrio and go into the Mexican markets, have a good taco at Taco Mix if you want, etc.

[cjd260]

Two additional places you haven't mentioned: Hell's Kitchen, at 47th/9th (http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/hells-kitchen/), and Roberto Santibañez's new place, Fonda, if you happen to be in Brooklyn at any point (and even if not, it's worth a trip; http://www.chow.com/blog/2009/09/winn... ). Both skew a little more "modern" than Toloache etc. in my experience, and both are outstanding.

[gutsofsteel]

I've been curious about Fonda...will check the OB board.

I'm not a fan of Maya.

[thew]

maya
cascabel taqueria

[whitneybee]

Can't speak to authenticity, but I've been to Cascabel Taqueria twice in the last two days, and I've really enjoyed it.

[Quimbombo]

I would recommend Maya: http://www.opentable.com/rest_profile...

We were there some time ago and the food was very good.

[gutsofsteel]

I think Centrico is what you might be looking for, although it's no hole in the wall.

I like Barrio Chino but it's not "modern Mexican cuisine." I haven't been to La Esquina but check their menu for "modernity."

I am really enjoying Cascabel Taqueria on the upper east side, and it's a bit modern.

Another one to consider is Toloache.

[foodie_214]

Thanks for feedback, those names all sound familiar to what I have been researching.
BY mod-mex I meant more like the style the names you are mentioning, thanks!

[JeremyEG]

Search this board for older threads about this but in general, Manhattan does not have great Mexican I don't think. Where are you traveling from?

For somewhat upscale, I have enjoyed Suenos on 17th. There is also a good taco truck on the corner of 8th Avenue and 14th in the afternoon/evenings. Good carne asada tacos.

Are you open to looking int he outer boroughs?
JeremyEG

[foodie_214]

Ive lived in Dallas,TX for 10 years but I am originally from Mexico City. I am trying to stay away from generic mexican food such as fajitas & burritos. So anything authentic would work. I am open to go explore. thanks!