Monday, September 6th, 2010—Bar 239
Day 239—Saturday, September 4th, 2010
La Palapa Cocina Mexicana
Okay, about a month ago (Jesus, it seems like just last week, time is flying), I tried to get a Mexican dinner (hello, facebook!) at a bar in the La Palapa Cocina Mexicana and it was too packed to get in and I ended up eating a fine dinner at The Bourgeois Pig, just a few blocks away. Well, it’s a three day weekend and the city has emptied out a bit, so I thought I’d try La Palapa Cocina Mexicana again. It’s a nice night, so let’s take a walk eastward and see if I get my Mexican meal and drinks tonight. Areeba! (And don’t forget to check out the bonus photos after the review of 365 commentator and Aussie chef, Tim Clack modeling a “Down Under” t-shirt from the 365 Bar store. Thanks for buying that Tim and thanks to “Boris” for maintaining the store. And remember, “Boris” is available for freelance work if you need a logo, something retouched, specialized art for your website or just about anything. Send me an email and I’ll forward it to the 365 resident artist, “Boris.”)
And we're off, the sun has set and it's nice and dark outside.
I saw this fellow on the street with a camera and challenged him to a dueling photographer contest. He took me up on it and here's the result. His name is Matty Brown and check out his website here: Matty Brown Photography.
Deja vu! Here we are again.
Hooray, there's plenty of seats at the bar tonight!
And the pretty and super-friendly bartender, Caitlin expertly pours me a Michelada.
Doc, a waiter here is super busy, but volunteered to take a photo of me at the bar. This is one friendly joint!
Cheers and thanks for the photo, Doc!
The owners of the bar, Margaritte Malfy and Barbara Sibley have written this cookbook that includes some of the recipes from the restaurant.
There's candle lit tables that line the wall opposite the bar.
The large dining area is in the back of the restaurant.
Upfront tables are in an open-aired space for a nice view of St. Mark's Place.
Meanwhile Caitlin is busy back at the bar.
The bar from my point of view.
Andrew was seated next to me enjoying a cold beer at the bar.
And Veronica and Dario were having margaritas at the end of the bar. It was then I discovered it was couples night at the bar...
It turns out Andrew is Caitlin's boyfriend...
And Dario's boyfriend Michael is a waiter at the bar. A couple of cute couples, huh? It also turns out that Michael's brother is Tyler Florence, a star at Food Network.
And here's the whole gang at the bar.
It's Sunday night and that means, Sunday dinner! Caitlin places my order...
And here's the first portion, homemade chips and three types of salsa and a spicy chili-rubbed ear of corn.
The corn was fantastic!
I also had the Crepas De Huitlacoche which is mushrooms, corn and poblano crema folded into crepes and then baked. Delicious!
And while the food is gone, there always remains...
Fire! Goodnight, everybody!
Review
La Palapa Cocina Mexicana has been a neighborhood favorite in the Lower East Side for over a decade now. The restaurant has a comfortable low-key atmosphere with a friendly staff that’s more than happy to assist you through the extensive Mexican menu, should you need help or recommendations. There’s a full bar that you can dine at and outside seating as well. Owners Margaritte Malfy and Barbara Sibley are chefs and also artists and they have written a book of recipes if you’d like to try to duplicate some of the dishes at home, check out the book here: Antojitos.
The bar features Mexican signature drinks such as a spicy Michelada and many flavors of margaritas. Happy hour happens every day from 4pm to 7pm with 2 for 1 drinks at the bar. Tuesday is Margarita Madness Night with Five dollar frozen fresh lime margaritas all day and all night. On Sunday’s they offer 10 dollar pitchers of Sangria from opening to closing.
There’s an extensive choice of Mexican food available with some of the house specialties including: Enchiladas De Pollo Verdes O Mole Rojo which is spicy chicken enchiladas topped with queso fresco, crema and onion in a choice of tomatillo green sauce or red mole; Pechuga De Pollo En Crema Poblana, a grilled chicken with poblano crema and sweet corn served with red tomato rice and black beans; Camarones Al Mojo De Ajo which is sautéed shrimp with golden garlic cloves, red tomato rice, black beans and Arrachera Al Tequila Con Jalapeños Torreados, a grilled choice cut skirt steak marinated in lime and tequila, roasted onions and jalapeños, green rice and pinto beans. There’s also a lunch menu and a Mexican Brunch on Saturday and Sunday.
And in what is the ultimate of ironies, at least for me (and those who know what I’m talking about), they have a facebook page!
La Palapa Cocina Mexicana
77 St Marks Pl. (Between 1st & 2nd Ave.)
212-777-2537
Bonus Photos!
One of my Aussie mates and 365 commentator, Tim Clack (a self-described Fuckwit) ordered one of “Boris’” special “Down Under” t-shirts from the 365 Bar Store and here he is modeling it:
And here’s a photo he sent in for Zioum Zioum after reading about her musical tastes. Thanks Clacky and cheers, mate!
And in response to Fitzy's "Dusk Till Dawn" comment, Jaws worked up this fitting piece of art, titled, "Jaws-U-la! Good one, Jaws!
I thought I'd throw up a video before I leave tonight, so here you have my favorite Little Feat song, "Willin.'" And I love the Neon Park album cover. Cheers and sneeze you all tomorrow.
28 Comments
Reader Comments (28)
Jesus, those crepas look good! Light years ahead of anything you could get anywhere around where I live without driving for over a half an hour! There's a place in Colombia Heights (a northern suburb of Minneapolis) where you can get some quality Mexican food, but it looks like it wouldn't come close to La Palapa. Yummm!!
Wow, that food looks fantastic! Cool Mexican restaurant and a friendly crowd! Glad you tried it again. And Clacky's looking good in the Down Under shirt!
@classicclacky....onya ya drongo!!!!!
@marty, naa sorry mate, that placed scared me!!!....looked like a posh New York remake of Tarantino's (can't spell,dont care) "Dusk till Dawn"...glad ya got out safe mate!!!!
I think La Palapa is near or next door to Holiday Cocktail,,,you could do an entire evening on St Marks,,,great to get that quality mexican food,,,I know those Poblano peppers are great, and it has a semi-sweet/spicy chocolate taste which I love. I don't see a resemblance looking at Michael,,,,Tyler look's totally different,,,,but it happens. Good change of pace here.
@clacky.....wots the difference between Julia Gillard & a baseball????....if you try really, really, REALLY hard you can eat a baseball!....
cool shit in the pics too mate, gotta get a downunder 365 shirt...how much are they marty??
@marty, well "hello Dickhead" to me!!!!.... i just seen & clicked on the 365 Bar Store thingy, fucken hell i could spend a shitload in here....are there any downunder singlets like for blokes? that would be the ducks guts for summer!!....& if i got a downunder t-shirt can i get "I've started hearing voices, & they tell me i dont like YOU!" on the back???
@Al: The Holiday Cocktail Lounge is right next door, but they were closed for the holiday, as their name suggests!
@Fitzy: There's all sized available in the "Down Under" series. As far as the special "Voices" edition, you've gotta check with "Boris", mate. He's the brains of the operation! Cheers onya!
i looove tyler florence and it's so cool you met his brother! the food looks fantastic and tim looks cute in his down under shirt. yay!
@marty, no worries, thanks mate....
@Jaws: Finally a real vampire for a change....just remember to stay out of the sun.
I think it's the height of shittness that Vampires don't burn up in the sun anymore...instead they sparkle!?? FUCK YOU contemporary vampires! .... You don't look too different from Gene Simmons in the above photo.
@Fitzy: Shudder....What's the difference between 6 dead babies and a Ferrari? I don't have a Ferrari in my garage!!!! (ouch...please don't tell docs....actually I've only got a car port)
@365: It's Fuckwit here...It took a lot of courage for me to put some pants on for that photo because in my house pants are optional.....
speaking of eating....
I can't wait to have Mexican in NY.
That food not only looked fantastic and fresh but looked very traditional. I really want to have mexican that isn't just Nachos and Tacos. I love the salads and the spice + Chilli (not jalepenos...too bitter)...and don't want to forget about the other great mexican items Corona and Tequila!
@Tim Clack: The Fuckwit is noted and corrected, mate! And I love the dead baby joke, reminds me of the Beatles Butcher album (I've got a copy.) And you've got to try a Michelada when you're here! It's a spicy Mexican beer drink. Kind of their version of a Bloody Mary. Tiki Bar Susie turned me on to them and I've been drinking them ever since. Okay, I'm off to tonight's bar, cheers!
@clacky - as I suspected - you're as ugly as a hatful of arseholes.
I've got one of those t-shirts too. should take a photo and send it in to the Martster. I've got a beer gut that will take your breath away!
Burp , ZioumZioum is sleeping , shut the fuck up !
@Jaws-u-la, now thats farkin funny! onya mate!!!!...dont give up ya day job mate....& that goes for you too clacky....haha!
Brooksy emerges!! I'll get rid of all the mirrors in the house because theres nothing I can't stand more than ugly people!
We've gotta see the beer gut. BRING ON THE BEER GUT!!!
In fact as of now I'm starting the 365 petiton to get you to send a photo to Marty.
@Everyone: This is a petition to get Brooksy Down under to show us his beer gut ...wrapped a 365 T shirt that is... Either post a Yay or Nay. Marty can tally up the votes....(No pressure Brooksy).
@365:Just like Willie Nelson,I love a bloody mary morning when I'm hungover. There's nothing it can't fix. I'm enthusiastic about these Micheladas.
@clacky - geez, you're going to make me pay for that "hat full of arseholes" comment aren't ya?
Loving how the Aussies are taking over this blog. There's only 21 million of us - but we're slowly taking over the world - webpage by webpage :)
@Brooksy...shut tha fuck up will ya!!! ya just let the cat or rather the Barry outa tha bag ya dickhead.....& have you really got a beer gut? ya not a greyhound (all prick & ribs) like me & clacky, well like me???
@Brooksy: The votes are in mate, send in the beer gut photo pronto!
@clacky, did i tell you the other day i've walked out of the Macquarie Hotel & a muslim came up to me & asked me directions for the quickest way to the Port Base Hospital.....simple!.... i just pushed him under a bus......
You would think living in the land of Mexicans I would have tried that damn corn you are eating, but I have not. I need to get me to a taco truck and get on with it already.
@Fitzy: Whoa steady on there soldier!! That was a bit controversial... Take it easy Fitzy....You could go to jail for that...
@Jaws: Aussie slang Racehorse or Geyhound = a really thinly rolled joint.
@Brooksy: Actually, It's more of a reaction to the fact that you said your beer gut could take my breath away!....so I'll go get my oxygen mask out and wait...patiently.....I get called worse things than that on a daily basis. Yesterday I called the worst thing ever -"into work" - but you heard the man...The votes are in!!
I'm eating Tacos