Pinalito / Clinton Restaurant: Dominican, an oasis and of authenicity amongst trendy eateries

[jonkyo]

This Dominican Restaurant is quite good. Pinalito City is at the end of Clinton Street to the west on the south side of East Houston. It has endured through the ages, and remains a very nice place to land for a few drinks, some good food, and atmosphere.

293 East Houston Street, New York NY 10009 (map)

212-982-3222

I had gone years ago, and just went back.

The feel of the place, amongst some more decorative trendy dining and drinking estabishments just across the street on Clinton and down, is unique, for the place looks the same as it did a decade ago and more, and the food is delightfully Dominican.

The main thing is food, beverage and the nice Dominican and Latin music that plays from the Juke Box hung on the wall.

I had taken the menu, gave it away, though can say they have the mexican classics, and a whole section of Dominican Food.

Ask 'where is the Dominican Food" because it is not titled as such on the menu, but all in one section.

Here is a review: http://newyork.seriouseats.com/2011/0...

El Nuevo Amanecer Restaurant on Stanton and Essex, also Dominican, is really good too, but the down home and local feel of this place, even if your not from the immediate area, and its cozy bar atmosphere makes it a nice choice for food and drinks in a small space.

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Pinalito City
295 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002

[jonkyo]

Here is a nice review:

http://ny.eater.com/archives/2011/08/...

[Pan]

I went to El Nuevo Amanecer a few months ago and found it hearty but a bit salty. How does the food at Pinalito compare?

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El Nuevo Amanecer
117 Stanton St, New York, NY 10002

[jonkyo]

The food at Pinalito comparatively I could not say. I do not think salt is a problem and was not in the dish I ordered from the Dominican side of the menu.

That might, the salt thing, be something that mexican food is prone to, maybe, so if you go try something not from their Mexican side of the menu. Ask for Dominican dish. That is only my suggestion.

[Pan]

Nope, I had Dominican food.

[jonkyo]

Check out Pinalito, it might suit better.

I have heard raves about El Nuevo Amanecer Dominican, but that is the magic of th market, pick and chose. I will go back to El Nuevo Amanecer and get a second taste.

Thanks

[Pan]

If I do, I'll report back.

[jonkyo]

I have been getting nachos at Mexican Radio up from Spring on Cleavland.

I know nothing of the food, except for this dish of 8 round nachos that are individually covered with cheese and beans (choice of black or pinto).

Now, this is not a meal of mexican food for me. I only go there to make up for the lack of hot food in general I have here.

The many hot sauces there, offered more than 30 brands, and each signle nacho can be used to by coating it liberally with any of these hot sauces. Find the hotest and best tasting, or sample 8 of them.

Several sessions of this kind, and I am actually ready to head for some more authentic or near authentic Mexican, and found one but it is in Brooklyn.

Maya Taqueria. They need one in Manhattan.

I am not too fond of Mixicue, nor San Loco, but this place I believe is quite good, and owned by a Mexican (I think). It is unfortunate that the near by Kurdish Museum in Brooklyn closed, but would love to find some Kurdish food in Manhattan or beyond, but let me think..... El Nuevo Amanecer has been there long and serves to a local and extra local latin client base.

Since I mentioned it, Mexicue seems nice for a certain market.

The venues atmosphere is nice. They did a great job (one on 7th and one on Forsyth). The concept for this place really is appreciated, but for me I prefer old school I suppose.

I was not crazy about the corn chips that look like cookie or cereal texture / consistency, and the food is not at all to my liking.

For those who love sliders and this neuvo style Mexican I am sure it is great. It is one of those concept style restaurants that grew from food channel daily video sacraments, and can be found written up in popular food publications. I just don't go for that style, but some do. A cosmopolitan manifestaion of Texas style food in NYC, one might call it, though I can't really say because I ain't no expert on Taxan food.

I'll stick to these Dominican places that offer Mexican food and great, some might say cheesy, music on the juke box.

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Mexican Radio
19 Cleveland Pl, New York, NY 10012

San Loco Mexico
105 Stanton St, New York, NY 10002

El Nuevo Amanecer
117 Stanton St, New York, NY 10002

Mexicue
345 7th Ave, New York, NY 10001

Mexicue
106 Forsyth St, New York, NY 10002