El Parador Cafe

This Murray Hill establishment was founded in 1959, making it the oldest Mexican restaurant in Manhattan, according to their profile on OpenTable. Typically I would have walked passed the aged red awning on East 34th St. thinking the restaurant would be old and gross inside but to my surprise the decor inside is quite charming. The rustic lanterns casting dim light against white stucco walls.
The chips, salsa and guacamole are all homemade (as they should be). Their salsa is definitely unique, seasoned with undertones of cinnamon was an unexpected but delicious twist on traditional salsa!
Three friends and I shared two vegetarian entrees and two bottles of wine for a very reasonable price and loved our dishes. After reviewing the main menu we asked to see the vegetarian menu, which unfortunately isn't available so you'll just have to trust me that it features some amazing dishes. We ordered the spinach and cheese enchiladas served with a thick black bean sauce and sweet potato tostadas- two flat tostadas served with a sweet potato mash that was sweetened with honey and citrus. I would definitely recommend trying the sweet potato tostadas but I think it would be too sweet to eat the whole thing as an entree so consider sharing it either as an appetizer or an entree.
Besides the food, El Parador Cafe also offers an extensive wine list that's primarily Spanish wines, white and red sangria and an encyclopedia of tequilas.
As you've noticed from my reviews, Mexican cuisine is always one of my favorites... what's your favorite Mexican restaurant in NYC?

Urban Taco

My one request during a family-filled weekend in Dallas was to try the latest addition to the chic Mockingbird Station scene, Urban Taco.

With its brightly-colored decor this upscale taqueria dishes up super tasty 'modern Mexican' cuisine. Restaurant proprietor, 24-year-old Markus Pinyero definitely knows what he's doing as he combines elements from his American and Mexican upbringing.

The delicious, homemade chips, with their intriguing spice bring out the best in the freshly-made, smooth guacamole. I suggest you wash it down with some of their signature drinks- a variety of margaritas, a sweet mojito, and much more.
Check it out: 5331 E. Mockingbird Lane, Suite 125; Dallas, TX 75206

See what others are saying at ChowHoud.

Check it out on Socialight:

Florencia 13

A few weeks ago a friend of mine walked passed Florencia 13 and was so impressed with the mustached man logo that he knew this was a place he had to try. Finally checking it out, we were still impressed with the family owned Mexican restaurant. Owners, Ralph, Rina. Marco, Gina, and Lennard Camarillo monitor the cooking closely to insure that every dish that comes out of the kitchen remains true to its authentic Southern California Mexican roots.

Most of the ingredients come from Californian distributors or are hand-picked by the Camarillo's at the market daily. They offer plenty of vegetarian dishes including the colorful Montecito Salad with asparagus, beets, hearts of palm, red onions, and cherry tomatoes. While my friend enjoyed the El Sereno Al Pastor Tacos- three soft mini corn tortillas with rubbed port in a 13-spice marinade, cilantro, onion, tomato, pineapple and lime.

If nothing else, go to Florencia 13, at Sullivan St. & Bleecker, for their signature drinks made by son Lennard Camarillo like their Flaming Margarita and Classic Mojito. I'd also recommend the spicy guacamole and homemade chips.

Mercadito Grove

Mercadito Grove is a Mexican tapas restaurant located on 7th Avenue between Grove and Barrow Streets in the West Village. This is a great summer spot with outdoor seating perfect for interesting people watching and a vast list of exciting drinks including various mojitos, margaritas and cervezas.

To start we ordered the Guacamole Sampler which included orange guac, traditional and mango. The fruit in the guacamole made the spicy dishes a little more refreshing. My friend ordered the Pollo Tacos- four small tapas-style tacos topped with a sliver of avocado- and loved them. I had the Ensalada Verde (without jicama and queso). It was spicier than I would have liked and the quesco may have helped with that but I left most of the salad on my plate but made sure all of the chips and guacamole were eaten. = )

La Palapa

While strolling around the West Village with my brother on a Saturday evening we came across La Palapa, an adorable Mexican restaurant with a lively bar, a large dinning area and best of all, outdoor seating. The West Village location (6th Ave. between 21st & 22nd St.) has three custom drink creations; Fresh Lime & Pomegranate Juice Margarita, White Hibiscus Sangria and Michelada (a beer cocktail). I love white wine and love sangria so ordered the White Hibiscus Sangria, which, I have to say, was not the best white wine sangria I've ever had. It was refreshing but not great. We started our meal with their delicious homemade guacamole and chips. The menu featured four different entree-sized salads, even one that includes grilled cactus. I ordered the Ensalada De Palmitos Y Aguacate (hearts of palm, avocado, tomates and mixed greens with fresh oregano vinaigrette) with a side of black beans. They even have a main entree specifically for vegetarians, Plato Azteca Vegetariano- two potato taquitos with guacamole, salsa, rice tortilla, grilled cactus paddle and black beans.
La Palapa is a great summer spot and I definitely recommend it. Apparently there is another one in the East Village- at St. Mark's Place & 1st Ave.

Mexicali Cocina Cantina

Great Mexican restaurants are not hard to find in LA but Mexicali Cocina Cantina was a great find, located in Studio City on Ventura Blvd & Laurel Canyon Blvd. We had a very strange waiter but the food was great. My friend and I shared their homemade Guacamole, she ordered the Grilled Chicken Quesadilla and I had the Mexicali Fajita Salad. But their menu also includes a long list of Tacos, Tamales, Burritos, and Enchiladas as well as fabulous margaritas and sangria.

Maya
Tucked away on 1st Ave btw. 64th and 65th Streets, this modern Mexican restaurant offers an interesting Queso Fundido as an appetizer. I have never had queso quite like this before, but it was really good.

To drink my friends had the special Margarita of the evening, a blackberry margarita while I had a glass of red wine sangria. For dinner I had the Ensalada con Almendras (mixed greens, cranberries, caramelized almonds, goat cheese, and spicy balsamic vinaigrette). It was very good and the spicy vinaigrette wasn't spicy of all!

Rosa Mexicano
Meeting a friend here after work on Friday was a great idea. The bar area was crowded but we were able to sit on an ottoman while we waiting for seats at the bar to open up. First we ordered drinks (The famous Rosa Mexicano Pomegranate Margarita & the Red Wine Sangria). Once we moved to the bar we ordered appetizers. We shared the Tacos de Queso con Nopales (Pan-seared Mexican cheese topped with cactus, onions and peppers. Served with warm tortillas)and the side of Elotes de la Calle (roasted corn kernels w/ queso fresco & chile powder).

The food was unique, the drinks were nice and strong and the atmosphere couldn't be beat!

February 13, 2006

Celeb sighting in Dallas on Saturday night... Bruce Willis was seen leaving Manny's Uptown mexican restaurant!

Gossip Street reader and model, Amy Hebert, met some celebrities in L.A. recently:
Amy poses with Steven from Laguna Beach.
And here she is (far left) with the Gastineau Girls:
(Thanks Amy for those pics!)

Over the weekend the Hilton fam wen tto an Ocean Drive Magazine Party: (source)
The Hilton sisters and some unknown girl. I'm not a huge fan of Paris, but I do like her dress!

Update on Grey's Anatomy: Last night's show was great, but they still left us hanging! Christina and Dr. Burke are getting cuter- and they're in love. Thank goodness Meredith didn't die, nor did the guy with the bomb inside of him. Too bad, though, that the cute bomb squad guy had to go. And Meredith was dumb to leave the OR to watch him walk down the hallway. Dr. Bailey delivered a healthy baby (whose middle name is George!) and her husband survived his brain surgery! Looking forward to next weeks... and still hoping that Meredith and Dr. McDreamy get back together!

Update on Desperate Housewives: Overall, I liked it. The whole marriage thing so that Teri can get health insurance is a little bizare. I'm glad that Bree and Betty Applewhite are bonding over hidden family secrets. And that's pretty much about it... stay tuned for next week!
Overnight Dates on The Bachelor: First up, the "black sheep" of the women, Moana. She and Travis visit Venice. Lucky for them, the gondolas weren't on strike (wink, wink to my Lungarno Ladies!) They were attacked by pigeons in San Marco's square and at a nearby cafe she impresses him by ordering in Italiano. She reads the spend the night invitation so dramatically-- uhh! Sarah the kindergarden teacher and Travis travel to Vienna, Austria where they take their food from the formal dinner up to their private room where they spend the night together! She's such a sweet heart- he says that with her he has developed more of a friendship.. to that I say- the best loves start as friends. (Please pick her, Travis!) Susan and Travis get away up in the French Alps. He straightup asks her about her motives to be on the show, if she has done so to get exposure. (Obviously, she said no- but I'm still skeptical.) She admitted that she's "totally falling in love" with him, after which he loudly gulps as he digests the news! Moana gets the first rose of the evening... Sarah gets the second (Good thing he was able to look past her ugly dress that evening)... and finally, Susan is gone!

Jessica debuts her own line of boots (and shoes)!
(source)
What are Jess' big Valentine's Day plans?!?! She's celebrating with girl friends "downing all the chocolate we can find!" She tells ET that she's dating all her girl friends- they love going shopping and to "go dancin." Plus, she says "nope, I'm not ready for that," when asked about dating. (source)

Fun for the whole family: PINK PANTHER is #1 at the box office this weekend, and Curious George comes in at #3! Here is Beyonce looking fab! (source)