Macondo

This “street-food,” spot by the owners of upscale Rayuela, recently opened on a bustling corner of East Houston. The location fits the menu, a mélange of borrowings from allover the Spanish speaking world featuring anything from Cuban plantain balls with pork to shrimp empanadas and Venezuelan arepas

It’s meant to be casual, with netting that separates tables, exposed brick, and a chalkboard walled bathroom with “100 Anos de Soledad” (the book which inspired the name of the restaurant) etched on the walls. But despite its breezy state-of-mind, the flavors here are pretty serious.

You can crawl up to the airy bar from the street, where three stools are perched beneath the overhang. The aguacate + mescal is a signature drink featuring honey, avocado, agave nectar, midori, cointreau, lime juice, and scorpion mescal. The harmony of sweet and tangy flavors was a nice kickoff to the meal.

We went just a week after opening night, so my (few) criticisms will be reserved here. Some shining dishes were the “chorishrimp” with Columbian chorizo and chili sauce as well as an arepa “Willianco” served with oven roasted quail, spinach, figs and manchego cheese. Don’t miss savory flat breads like the “setas” with mushroom, caramelized onions, membrillo (quince paste), cabra cheese, and pistachio. Our waiter was just as excited to explain the dishes as we were to sample them.

After a meal like this I always proudly state how soon I’d like to rush back. But I know on my next visit, our brief 15-minute table wait will be a thing of the past. Check out Macondo on your next free Summer night in the city, before everybody else does!

Macondo: 157 East Houston Street between Allen and Eldridge
Cuisine: Latin Street Food, “comida de la calle”

Filed under Latin American, Restaurant Reviews |