Pio Pio [1746 First Ave. (bet 90th and 91st Sts.) 212-426-5800]
One of the best deals on the Upper East Side, this Peruvian chicken joint will fill you up with good food on the cheap. The centerpiece of the experience has to be a full chicken. This will comfortably feed three people, and maybe even four if you load up on sides. The chicken is tender and flavorful, offering both white and dark meat. As for side dishes, my favorites were the Maduros (sweet plantains), the Avocado Salad, and the standard rice and beans. All of these are perfect for sharing, although you may need two orders of rice and beans if you have four people. Make sure to show up early if you can, because this small restaurant fills up quickly.
Showing posts with label south american. Show all posts
Showing posts with label south american. Show all posts
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Flor de Mayo
Flor de Mayo [484 Amsterdam Avenue, New York; Menu]
A unique dining experience (at least for me), this restaurant offers both Peruvian and Chinese fare. The food is very good, the prices are very low, and the portions are very big. Flor de Mayo is a great deal. I got a huge bowl of Egg Drop Soup for $1.50, half a chicken with yellow rice and a small salad for $7.50, and a side order of yuca for $3.50. Let's just say that was a huge meal. You could easily stuff yourself with just the chicken dish. There is a second location further uptown on Broadway.
A unique dining experience (at least for me), this restaurant offers both Peruvian and Chinese fare. The food is very good, the prices are very low, and the portions are very big. Flor de Mayo is a great deal. I got a huge bowl of Egg Drop Soup for $1.50, half a chicken with yellow rice and a small salad for $7.50, and a side order of yuca for $3.50. Let's just say that was a huge meal. You could easily stuff yourself with just the chicken dish. There is a second location further uptown on Broadway.
Churrascaria Plataforma
Churrascaria Plataforma [316 West 49th Street, New York; Menu]
It's a massive Brazilian smorgasbord. It's a gimmick, but a gimmick that generally works. A little pricey ($56 for dinner), but you will definitely leave stuffed. Salad bar is enormous and varied, but don't fill up there. Wait for the meat to come around on skewers. Beef ribs are fantastic, as are the high-end cuts of beef like Top Sirloin. Avoid too much flank steak.
It's a massive Brazilian smorgasbord. It's a gimmick, but a gimmick that generally works. A little pricey ($56 for dinner), but you will definitely leave stuffed. Salad bar is enormous and varied, but don't fill up there. Wait for the meat to come around on skewers. Beef ribs are fantastic, as are the high-end cuts of beef like Top Sirloin. Avoid too much flank steak.
Caracas Arepa Bar
Caracas Arepa Bar [91 East 7th Street, New York; Menu]
From what I have read, this tiny place might be the only authentic Venezuelan restaurant in the city (except for its second location in Williamsburg). Caracas offers a variety of Venezuelan specialties, but the arepas (think stuffed english muffin, but made of corn flour) are the signature dish. After many visits, I have found my favorites to be the La Del Gato, the Reina Pepiada, the La Pelua, and the De Pabellon. The fillings here are fresh and flavorful, while the actual arepas are critical complements to what's inside. For appetizers, start with the Guasacaca (Venezuelan Guac) and the Yoyos. Finally, because this restaurant is so small and crowded, there is a conveniently located To Go cafe right next door. Here you can order all the same food without having to wait for a table, although they do have some seating. You will have to wait awhile for the food (service is notoriously slow), but it's worth it!
From what I have read, this tiny place might be the only authentic Venezuelan restaurant in the city (except for its second location in Williamsburg). Caracas offers a variety of Venezuelan specialties, but the arepas (think stuffed english muffin, but made of corn flour) are the signature dish. After many visits, I have found my favorites to be the La Del Gato, the Reina Pepiada, the La Pelua, and the De Pabellon. The fillings here are fresh and flavorful, while the actual arepas are critical complements to what's inside. For appetizers, start with the Guasacaca (Venezuelan Guac) and the Yoyos. Finally, because this restaurant is so small and crowded, there is a conveniently located To Go cafe right next door. Here you can order all the same food without having to wait for a table, although they do have some seating. You will have to wait awhile for the food (service is notoriously slow), but it's worth it!
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires [513 East 6th Street, New York; Menu]
A quaint neighborhood steakhouse, this authentic Argentinean restaurant offers up excellent steaks at realistic prices. Try the Jamon Serrano to start, but avoid any salads. This place specializes in meat. I went with the Bife de chorizo (Shell Steak) and had more than enough to fill me up. But if you have an even bigger appetite, I recommend the Bife de costilla (Ribeye Steak). The atmosphere is very nice as well, and I especially enjoyed seeing soccer games on two flat screen TVs!
A quaint neighborhood steakhouse, this authentic Argentinean restaurant offers up excellent steaks at realistic prices. Try the Jamon Serrano to start, but avoid any salads. This place specializes in meat. I went with the Bife de chorizo (Shell Steak) and had more than enough to fill me up. But if you have an even bigger appetite, I recommend the Bife de costilla (Ribeye Steak). The atmosphere is very nice as well, and I especially enjoyed seeing soccer games on two flat screen TVs!
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