Zarela Restaurant

Zarela's television personality is ebullient and outgoing. Her cookbooks and recipes (a number of which are available online) display her genius for bringing authentic cuisine to New York. The restaurant is decorated with colorful masks, folk art and streamers. Located on Second Avenue in Manhattan, it is a gourmet standout from many others in the vicinity. As one who has lived in Texas and eaten many meals in the all-Mexican North Side of Houston, and been a guest in Mexican homes, I've treasured authentic and well prepared Mexican meals that I've been able to find in New York City. The fajitas rival even the famous Ninfa (another tremendous success story) of Houston. A superb marinade for the skirt steak, grilled to a tender medium rare melts in the mouth with the tender and freshly made mini-tortillas. The fish of the day special--mussels, shrimp and scallops were tender and flavorful, yielding a coconut/garlic broth with a trace of jalapeno. Wonder why no spoon ... more

Zarela's television personality is ebullient and outgoing. Her cookbooks and recipes (a number of which are available online) display her genius for bringing authentic cuisine to New York. The restaurant is decorated with colorful masks, folk art and streamers. Located on Second Avenue in Manhattan, it is a gourmet standout from many others in the vicinity. As one who has lived in Texas and eaten many meals in the all-Mexican North Side of Houston, and been a guest in Mexican homes, I've treasured authentic and well prepared Mexican meals that I've been able to find in New York City. The fajitas rival even the famous Ninfa (another tremendous success story) of Houston. A superb marinade for the skirt steak, grilled to a tender medium rare melts in the mouth with the tender and freshly made mini-tortillas. The fish of the day special--mussels, shrimp and scallops were tender and flavorful, yielding a coconut/garlic broth with a trace of jalapeno. Wonder why no spoon was supplied for this delicious broth. Ah well--mussel shells may be the more authentic method for devouring this! Tamale of the day--huitlacoche--called the Mexican truffle--was an earthly delight! Perfectly balanced flavors. Who knew this was a corn fungus? What a shame the wait staff is overburdened and callous! Hardly the image that Zarela projects. A maitre d' and wait person both disappear from view... and are hardly attentive. It's would be a miracle to complete a meal in an hour here--something some of us on business lunches have to attend to. I'm a single diner--when I eat at Gramercy Tavern, Lupa, Jean-Georges--the wait people are convivial and conversational. Unfortunately not at Zarela. My advice. Take a loooong lunch, bring a book. Enjoy the food. Forget the wait staff. Tip accordingly less