I was craving one of the chewy German pretzels at Cafe Katja, but the place was closed for a private party (I really should've called ahead). "Where should we go?" I asked my disappointed friend.
We wandered around a bit, and ended up around the corner at Barrio Chino, a jam-packed Mexican joint. The name of the restaurant means "Chinese Neighborhood" - it's located at the edge of Chinatown. (Interestingly, in Spain, the term barrio chino can mean something completely different.) The guacamole was promising; fresh and spicy with lots of chopped onion, it came with thick hot corn chips.
My friend was spot on with her choice of main course, but I miscalculated. I ordered the guajilla-marinated red snapper, which was strangely cinnamony and desperately needed some kind of sauce. The accompanying small pile of green rice was dry. But my friend's two tostadas were excellent; the corn tortillas were layered with plenty of queso fresco, sour cream, lettuce, avocado, tasty marinated shrimp and tender shredded beef.
Feeling vaguely unsatisfied (and envious of my friend), I recommended that we order dessert. Three hot sugared churros with a pot of hot melted chocolate is definitely reason enough for me to return to Barrio Chino... but next time I'll order the tostadas.
Barrio Chino: 253 Broome St., (212) 228-6710.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
1 comment:
One of the best things I got out of my marriage was acquiring the practice of eating my churros with sweetened condensed milk on top, I kid you not. Maybe your fish was cinnamony because it was made with mole? xo
Post a Comment