On the Hunt for Upscale Mexican Food in Manhattan

Despite hailing from the home of the famed Mission burrito, a visitor from San Francisco named whiner is somewhat curiously on the prowl for excellent Mexican food in the midprice to upscale range for an upcoming trip to New York City. Hounds point whiner to a number of Manhattan newcomers, especially Empellón, the West Village restaurant that will soon open an outpost in the East Village. (I loved their tres leches cake, which we featured here.)

In a sign of how much the city’s Mexican options have expanded in the last decade, Dos Caminos, the minichain and guacamole-slinging standby, wasn't part of the mix. But Toloache gets a mention, as does its sister restaurant, Yerba Buena Perry. According to AnnaNYC, there's "delicious" carne asada at La Esquina, while Motosport says El Parador serves the "best mole I’ve had outside of Mexico," an endorsement that should be of interest to any Mexican food fanatic.

Of course, there’s some disagreement on the subject. michelleats thinks the food at Pampano is better than Empellón's, where she’s noticed "egregious oversalting" of some dishes and that the tongue tacos can be "a little dry."

Where’s your go-to fancy Mexican spot?

Empellón Taqueria [West Village]
230 W. Fourth Street, Manhattan
212-367-0999

Dos Caminos [Midtown East]
825 Third Avenue, Manhattan
212-336-5400

Toloache [Midtown West]
251 W. 50th Street, Manhattan
212-581-1818

Yerba Buena Perry [West Village]
1 Perry Street, Manhattan
212-620-0808

La Esquina [SoHo]
114 Kenmare Street, Manhattan
646-613-7100

El Parador Cafe [Midtown East]
325 E. 34th Street, Manhattan
212-679-6812

Pampano [Midtown East]
209 E. 49th Street, Manhattan
212-751-4545

Discuss: Looking for Excellent Mid or Up Scale Mexican