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3143 Broadway 123rd St
(212) 222-8666).
Before I start in with the food, let me just say this was there very first night open. The restaurant as we were told, took less then a month to set up.. Which includes everything from construction to menu planning..Perhaps they should have taken another month to get things together..
Its not like any of the food was terrible, the food really just lacked any sort of love.. The concept is to combine Latin and Asian Flavors.. There were some definite Thai, Chinese, and Japanese touches mixed with some Latin Flavors.. With places like Asia De Cuba, Kuma Inn and Sushi Samba already doing this concept I was excited to see someone else's take on this genre..
We were served a bowl of different fried chips from Sweet Potato, Tortilla, and Shrimp chips, wth a Pico De Galla.. This was my favorite thing of the night.. The Pico De Galla was really fresh and the chips were well fried..
Next up was the Zuchini Flowers.. These were stuffed with Oaxaca Cheese, some peppers and a few other things.. It was served with a lovely pineapple and vanilla sauce.. I dont believe the pineapple sauce complimented the Flower but, it was very good on its own.. Like a pineapple sauce with vanilla.. It was really just a fried dish that was stuffed with cheese.. Topped with an arugala salad that didnt tie into the dish at all..
Duck empanadas.. This dish was another one of my favorites.. The duck was very Chinese in Flavor.. Had a 5 spice mix.. Instead of a traditional dough they used puff pastry to make the empanada.. It was interesting and a nice change.. Specifically because I had Picadillo Empanadas today from this Mexican Bakery.. Topped with a Sriracha sauce.. Again, although it was my among my favorite dishes of the evening it still wasnt great..Another arugala salad..
Shrimp Ceviche:
Served with sea weed in a sesame oil.. It was the least citrusy ceviche I have had.. It was a refreshing break from the fried offerings but certainly forgetable.. Maybe they could have used the pineapple vanilla sauce in this someway..
Ancho Chile Udon Noodles with shrimp and Bay Scallops.. I think this plate was 20 bucks.. Certainly not a bargain and certainly not that good.. The sauce really didnt work for me.. I like the idea of using Udon for non Japanese Dishes but, not on this one.. The scallops were lost in the strong chile flavors.. In fact there really wasnt any flavors present besides a chile flavor that was not that appealing.. Half the time you would eat the scallops and not realize what it was.. Also the really soft and mushy little scallops were over powered by the al dente udon noodles.. It was really boring to eat so much of and should be shared among the table family style..
Another 20 dollar dish.. Tortilla crusted Cod.. The fish was cooked well.. However, I thought it was a big piece of fish.. It had a little tortilla crust and that about it.. The seasoning on this dish was barely present.. I wonder if they even used salt and pepper on it.. Served with this coleslaw that had sesame oil in it.. The dish did not work either.. If this is the idea of fusion why bother.. Tortilla chip crust and sesame oil thats where they make the connection? Eh..
Sides were not that great either:
huitlacoche fried rice they called it.. The rice was not fried.. However it was starchy and over cooked.. I dont think any salt was used in this rice either.. When I wasnt tasting vague hints of huitlacoche, I was tasting glutinous water..Really disappointing..In fact I think you can see a little pool of water at the bottom of the dish.
