Rayuela

Rayuela is located in one of my favorite areas of the LES or the Lower East Side of NY. A proverbial melting pot of cultures and ethnicities, the LES was originally formed by several immigrant communities whose influences still resonate. Set off by Houston and Canal streets along with the FDR Drive; funky shops, bars, and restaurants radiate from Ludlow and Orchard Streets. Even though this was a very busy Saturday night, the service at Rayuela was good and the presentation of the various dishes that we'd ordered was just right. Rayuela (Spanish for “hopscotch” and the title of the experimental novel by South American writer Julio Cortázar) introduces Estilo Libre Latino (Freestyle Latino) cuisine, which respects yet redefines traditional Latin American and Spanish dishes including ceviche and tapas. The restaurant is owned by Executive Chef Máximo Tejada, up-and-coming restaurateur Hector Sanz and Paul Fernandez.

Pulpo con Chorizo: Octopus with Colombian Chorizo
Higadillos de Pollo: Chicken livers with olives and artichokes
Cedorniz con lentejas: roasted quail with a stew of pork belly, and black lentils.
Arroz con Pollo: Free range chicken with apple sausage, olives and valencia rice
Dessert: Trio Catalanes or 3 Spanish custards-dulce de leche, almendra, calamansi
Yum, Yum Yum!!! And you have to try their Sangria.

165 Allen St
New York, NY 10002
tel: 212 253-8840

Pipa

New York City restaurants never cease to amaze me. Just when you think you have discovered a beautiful restaurant and it cannot get any better....You find something else and of course, it is on a completely different level.

Dim lighting from antique chandeliers of incredible beauty, wooden tables set close to each other, all add into creating a sense of intimacy even when the room is full of people, music and a hundred chattering voices. The de-stressed walls, golden lights everywhere from the candles and their reflection in the flashes of jewellery worn by chic fashionistas is almost ethereal. My friend Leigh Ann decided to order the Cava sangria, or Spanish sparkling wine.
Golden and bubbly,
full of oranges
and apples.

We ordered 4-5 different tapas between us: Wild mushrooms in truffle oil, spicy carrots, a mushroom pizza and the ham croquettes. And before we knew it it was almost midnight and time to leave...

38 E 19th St, New York 10003
Btwn Bway & Park Avenue South
Tel: 212-677-2233