June 20th, 2007
This alphabet city getaway serving Latin American fare was the perfect spot to get a bite on a beautiful Saturday evening. The atmosphere is very warm with bright, pastel colored walls and patterned tablecloths adorning rustic wooden tables. The restaurant is actually rather large with a few different rooms and plenty of outdoor seating. Esperanto offers an array of drinks including flavored caipirinhas, sangria, and mojitos to complement the sourdough bread with red pepper spiced olive oil as you peruse the menu. The menu selection is quite eclectic offering up fresh seafood dishes such as ceviches and calamari salad as well as turf dishes like carne asada and grilled pork chop with pineapple salsa. I started with the plantain crusted goat cheese salad served with sautéed leeks and cilantro pesto. Friends of mine had the calamari salad and the ceviche of the day which was a shrimp and snapper ceviche. For entrees I had the moqueca bahiana which was shrimp and snapper prepared in a clay pot with coconut milk, cashews and rice. This was a really unique dish and executed beautifully. The moist rice sopped up the creamy coconut sauce and the seafood was mildly spiced and flavorful. Friends had the carne asada and the grilled salmon with spiced mashed potatoes, sautéed spinach and mango salsa. The service was friendly and prompt. The prices were pleasantly affordable at just around $15 for an entrée. I’m so pleased to have this delicious option in my repertoire for the future. Can’t wait to go back!
Esperanto: 145 Avenue C and 9th
Cuisine: Latin American
Related Posts:
Nolia
Filed under Latin American, Restaurant Reviews |
Subscribe in RSS
ooh, in the future, take me! cause that plantain crusted goat cheese salad sounds delish!
we’ll put that next on the list after the cheese bar in your ‘hood.
I like goat cheese! can i come?!
:-)
hmmm I dunno about you Beck.
ohhh that was harsh
i say beckster’s in.
i like your thinking :) and bringin’ back the old school name
haha I do believe I invented that name thank you very much.
what? cheese? :)
come on, who doesn’t love cheese?
@ beckster - to think, i almost called you tweak on that one!
tweak still holds it’s ground…I am quite a tweak and not afraid to admit it!
aw, I’m proud of you, Rachy!