Get the Fiesta Started with these Cinco de Mayo NYC Picks

by | May 4, 2015 | Dining, Downtown Eats Guides

cinco de mayo

Tacos at Cafe el Presidente
Photo: Courtesy of Paul Wagtouicz, Timeout.com

With Cinco de Mayo just around the corner, it’s time to start searching for some of the best Mexican restaurants and deals going on. Luckily for you, we’ve compiled a list of great places (and deals!) that you should check out downtown!

cinco de mayo

Photo: Courtesy of tacombi.com

Tacombi|Cafe el Presidente

30 W 24th St, New York, NY 10010

Located in the Flatiron district, Cafe el Presidente is truly a discovery with its Mexico City-style decor and freshly made dishes that evoke authentic Mexican culture.  Everything is made from scratch with sustainably sourced ingredients, including the corn and flour tortillas that are made fresh all day long from the on-site tortilleria.

The highlight of Cafe el Presidente is their tacos. The menu allows you to mix and match the different varieties, and they are all served on their homemade tortillas. The tacos are a bit small, but each one is bursting with flavor. We were able to try almost all the tacos served on the menu. My favorites were the maiz y poblano, which was the grilled corn and poblano chile topped with cheese, and the nopal de matehuala, which was actually cactus, but looked and tasted just like string beans! I was also able to try the quesadilla maiz azul, which was absolutely delicious and left me wanting more.

The cocktails were also equally delicious. We were able to try their classic margarita, piña colada, and another called the “Zapata,” which was El Dorado rum mixed with hints of hibiscus and elderflower. It was definitely an unexpected, but delicious, fruity combination.

Cafe el Presidente is a must-try for anyone looking for some great Mexican food in the downtown area. Be sure to check them out just in time for Cinco de Mayo!!

cinco de mayo

Photo: Courtesy of horchata.com

Horchata New York

470 Sixth Avenue, New York City (between 11th and 12th Street)

Tucked away in Greenwich Village by Union Square, is another Mexican gem that you should definitely try out for Cinco de Mayo. Not only is the food delicious, but they will also be offering special deals for May 5 only!

Starting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5, guests can enjoy a variety of 5 for $5 items, including:

Five menu items for $5 (each)

  • Tacos (1) Coles de Bruselas, Pescado, Bistec, Cochinta Pibil
  • Nachos
  • Classic Guacamole
  • Corn
  • Flan
Five drink items for $5 (each)
  • Tequila Corralejo tequila shot
  • Frozen margarita (1 seasonal flavor)
  • Sangria
  • Tecate and shot
  • Classic margarita

Additional specials also include $25 margarita pitchers and a bucket of six Coronas, also for $25. The frozen margaritas are delicious. We were able to try the frozen strawberry margarita, as well as the blood orange and jalapeño cucumber margaritas on the rocks.

The food was as equally delicious, as we were able to sample the guacamole trio, which included the classic, butternut squash, and enchilado varieties. It was served with fresh-made tortilla chips, and it was the perfect starter to kick things off. We also sampled the flautas, which were crispy to perfection and bursting with flavor, and enchiladas dobladas. To finish things off, we sampled the tres leches de crepes for dessert, and it was fantastic. It was essentially a slice of cake, layered with crepes and served with Mexican vanilla ice cream and tres leches sauce.

You will not want to miss Horchata’s food and special Cinco de Mayo deals, so be sure to pop in and grab a bite to eat!

cinco de mayo

Photo: Courtesy of wnewyorkdowntown.com

The W Hotel- Downtown

123 Washington Street, New York, NY 10006

The W Hotel located right across the street from One World Trade Center, will also be having Cinco de Mayo specials from 6-9 p.m. on May 5.

Guests can enjoy a night of tequila cocktails, drink specials, snacks, and prizes. Deals will be as follows: $5 Coronas, $10 margaritas, and house made chips and guacamole all night. If you are up for it, try the signature cocktail of the night, the Desert Heart, which will exclusively be served Tuesday night only. When guests order this specialty cocktail, they will receive a mini piñata with special prizes, including complimentary stays at the W Bogota and the W Mexico City.

If you’re interested in making your own Desert Heart, check out the recipe here:

In a shaker: Combine

  • 1 1/2 ounces White Tequila
  • 1/2 ounce Mezcal
  • 1/4 ounce Triple Sec
  • 1/4 ounce Passion Fruit Syrup
  • 1 ounce Grapefruit Juice
  • 1/4 ounce Falernum

Add ice and shake 20x. Strain and serve over crushed ice.

Be sure to check out these Mexican restaurants and their deals for one day only, you won’t want to miss it!

 

-by: Jackie Hart

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