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)
ARRIBA! I gots to try me one of those Micheladas one of these days. Although, with $10 pitchers of Sangria on the menu, I may get distracted. Anyway, the place looks comfy, the people look friendly and the food looks yummy. Glad you finally got to try it!
I love Mexican food so much. I am definitely going to check out that cook book!
WOW so cool !!! Thanks Tim for the Photo !!! :D
I'm late in here with my comment !!!! @Jason: I was not sleeping, but cleaning my appatment before you come in because I'm a mess (or more a pig groin groin) and if you know about my mess you my divorce before we get married HAHAHAHA
Jaws : you look good in Vampire !!!! haha
OH and I just to remember a story (dirty of course)!! It just came out of my head! vampire = garlic = vagina huh of course!!!! haha so the story is that one day (when I was teenager) I got (sorry for the details, and no I didn't got it by fucking with a goat! haha) a vagina mycosis! And My dad's neighbor knew about it (because of my dad's wife who can't shut the fuck up!) so she came to see me and told me:
"Oh I do something very natural to treat the vagina mycosis when I get some! You boil a clove of garlic and you put it in your vagina for one day!!" O_0 First, I wondered If I well understood! but yeah yeah! A boiled clove of garlic in the Vagina! HAHA cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese fucking cheeeeeese! Some people are weirdos!!! I told that to my dad and he got a blast!! and he said: At least, she's not going to get fuck by a vampire ! haha
Do they use garlic in maxican food? I don't know, may that's why women shaved their pussy when eating mexican food? HAHA :D
TO THE CLOVE OF GARLIC!
What an amazing looking restaurant!! I am so glad that you were able to get in. The food looks so delicious and the drinks and that Micheleda especially look so refreshing.
I love the decor and atmosphere of the restaurant as well.
Thanks to Tim C. for sending in his photos as well. Yaay!!
Love this place! Looks very cool and friendly, and the food looks amazing. Glad you got some Mexican!
I love Tyler Florence too, cool connection. And Matty's portraits on his site are great.
@tim love the pic! and a YAY for @brooks to send in his pic! Come on join the clan! And love @jaws pic too :)