Dinner recs near Avenue A and 13th Street
I'm looking for a good, moderately priced restaurant near/ish to Avenue A and 13th for a birthday dinner. It needs to be big enough to accommodate 9-12 people. I'd prefer a Spanish restaurant but it's not essential. BN: the dinner will be on a Friday evening.
-
Mercadito was fantastic. I reserve 5 stars for places that I love to an embarrassing degree.
Anyway, I had made reservations for 8 people. Unfortunately I was the only one to arrive on time. I waited at the bar and made friends with some lovely new people. When the bartender found out it was my birthday he gave me a free shot. Even though the bulk of my party showed up a half an hour late Mercadito was still able to seat us (we had to squeeze into a table for 6 while the group next to us finished up their drinks).
The atmosphere was lovely. It felt like being on the back porch of a stucco house. However the front room is quite tight. Sitting at the bar felt a little claustrophobic. Also beware that the stairs to the back room are fairly steep so if you have limitations you should ask if they can seat you in the front.
The service was a little slow to get started, but once it did it was quite prompt. Drink requests were responded to quickly and the food was cleared and brought out rapidly while also not being rushed.
We did the $35 tasting menu. I called my order in to the restaurant early and they arranged for me to have 3 botanas and 3 tacos rather than 2 and 4. The guacamole's were all great but the mango and traditional were the clear favorites. The quesidillas were good. I enjoyed the cheese one the best. But, I don't like mushrooms so I'm biased against that. We also had the picadas and the queso fundo. Both fantastic. Unfortunately I was already getting stuffed by the time I had the picadas so I only had a half of one. For tacos we had the carne, mole, and estilo baja. Again, all delish, but I could only eat a bite of each bc I was so full. The flan was my favorite dessert, but other of my party really loved the fried plaintains.I will definitely be going to Mercadito again.
-----
Mercadito
179 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009›1 Reply -
-
Thanks! I've narrowed it down to a few selections. Do you have any opinions on the following?:
Euzcadi
Mercadito
Pylos
Yerba Buena
Casa Mono
and a bit further away:
Pipa
Frankie's 17-----
Casa Mono
52 Irving Place, New York, NY 10003Frankies 17 Spuntino
17 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002Pylos
128 E 7th St, New York, NY 10009Pipa
38 East 19th Street, New York, NY 10003Euzkadi
108 East 4th Street, New York, NY 10003Yerba Buena
23 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009Mercadito
179 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009›2 Replies -
-
-
These are places that should fit a decent size group, have decent food, and good service (and should be reserve-able). None are Spanish however.
- Sort of new American (emphasis on local and chef driven): Back Forty is on 12th and B. Redhead is on 13th and 1st.
- Japanese: Kamui Den is on 12th and A
- Italian: Luzzo's is on 12th and 1st.
- Mexican: Mercadito on 11th and B might be too small of a space for your party.-----
Luzzo's
211 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003Back Forty
190 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009Kamui Den
186 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009The Redhead
349 E 13th St, New York, NY 10003Mercadito
179 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009›2 Replies
