What is THE BEST fine dining Latino restaurant in NYC?

[HWhitman]

I just moved back to New York City after a long hiatus. I used to love Patria but is has since closed. What is the best fine dining Latino restaurant in NYC? Thank you!!

[H Manning]

My favorite is Yerba Buena Perry.

[Blumie]

I assume everyone knows by now that Nuela is no more. There's a "closed for renovation" sign in the window, and I think I read that it will reopen with a new concept. Not sure if it's the same or a new team.

I had a wonderful experience recently at Hecho en Dumbo, where one can make reservations for the chef's tasting menu. At $55, it's a relative bargain, the food and service was really wonderful, and the care of the preparation and service were at a "fine dining" level. But I guess when you're sitting on stools overlooking the kitchen in an obviously very casual restaurant, it's hard to truly categorize it as true fine dining.

[ttoommyy]

Patria was great. Glad to see someone else remembers it.

[noodlelust]

I highly recommend both Rayuela and Macondo. Especially for brunch. I have also been to La Mar, which is very delicious upscale Peruvian. For arguably more delicious, but less upscale, Peruvian, I would recommend Pio Pio.

noodlelust.com

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Rayuela
165 Allen Street, New York, NY 10002

Pio Pio
210 E 34th St, New York, NY 10016

Macondo
157 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002

[KitchenMaid]

For classic Cuban, you cannot go wrong with Victor's Cafe. It is one of my absolute favorite restaurants!

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Victor's Cafe
236 West 52nd Street, New York, NY 10019

[PesachBenSchlomo]

Ah, Victor's. It seems it has never *not* been there. I ate there in the '70s.

[spahafoodie]

I recently took a client to Rayuela in the LES and had the Chefs Tasting Menu. It was a pan-Latino extravaganza and i highly recommend a trip downtown.

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Rayuela
165 Allen Street, New York, NY 10002

[sgordon]

Rayuela is fantastic, and quite underrated. Their sister restaurant Macondo is also good, though Rayuela is more the place for refined composed plates while Macondo is "upscaled" street food, everything tapas-sized. Neither are "white tablecloth" fine dining in ambience - so depends what the OP's looking for.

Haven't been yet to Empellon Cocina (going this weekend), but I suspect given Alex Stupak's track record it'll be dynamite.

That said, very different kinds of food. Asking for the best "Latino" restaurant is kind of like asking for the best "Asian" restaurant in some ways...

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Rayuela
165 Allen Street, New York, NY 10002

Macondo
157 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002

Empellon Cocina
105 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003

[spahafoodie]

I recently tried Empellon and it didn't live up to the hype. Ambiance is only part of the experience which did deliver, but the food was meh.

[sgordon]

Did you try Empellon Taqueria or Empellon Cocina? Cocina's only been open a week or so, I haven't read single review / any hype at all yet.

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Empellon Taqueria
230 W 4th St, New York, NY 10014

Empellon Cocina
105 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003

[michelleats]

I agree with you if you're talking about Empellon Taqueria. The food was excellent when it first opened and I was a huge proponent. But the quality has since slipped. I still like it as a neighborhood restaurant, but I don't think I'd recommend it as a destination for someone looking for a special experience.

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Empellon Taqueria
230 W 4th St, New York, NY 10014

[rrems]

I really like Nuela, particularly for the duck paella (arroz con pato), and would also highly recommend Yerba Buena and Aldea.

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Yerba Buena
23 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009

Aldea
31 West 17th Street, New York, NY 10011

Nuela
43 W 24th St, New York, NY 10010

[christinepierce]

for some reason, i never really felt the love for Aldea. Nuela also isn't one of my favorites, although they do have delicious cocktails, especially the "devil's sweat!"

[michelleats]

Nuela's a good suggestion. La Mar Cebicheria Peruana would be my personal choice, though, especially if you like ceviche (cebiche). I found Nuela's ceviches too sweet.

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Nuela
43 W 24th St, New York, NY 10010

La Mar
11 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10010

[foodwhisperer]

Latin is very general . Nuela is good, but for some reason I never thought of it as Latin, even though I know it is. Cafe Sita is not fancy but has good Cuban food. I haven't tried the new
SuperLinda on Reade St. it just opened. has anyone tried it yet?

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Cafecito
185 Ave C, New York, NY 10009

Nuela
43 W 24th St, New York, NY 10010

[michelleats]

I know what you mean. Asking for a Latin restaurant is almost like asking for an Asian one. So many kinds!!

Have you tried Victor Cafe in Midtown, foodwhisperer? It's somewhat formal and traditional. I had a very quick lunch there many years ago and don't really remember how good it was, which maybe isn't a good sign. I'd love to know how it compares to places like Cafe Sita or Tina's (not upscale).

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Victor's Cafe
236 West 52nd Street, New York, NY 10019

[Riverman500]

Nuela.

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Nuela
43 W 24th St, New York, NY 10010