How to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo In New York City Written by John V. Curtin Photographed by Ramon Estevanell (Opposite photo of El Mercadito)

It’s always surprised me that Cinco de Mayo isn’t more popular. Relative to other alcoholic-focused festivals – St. Patrick’s Day for instance – it doesn’t even really register. But it should. Cinco de Mayo has a lot going for it. For one, with summer just around the corner, odds are good the weather will work in your favor. Moreover, - while granted this is my personal opinion – I’m not sure there’s any drink more fun or festive than the margarita. Now, nothing against hunkering down to a malty Guinness and heaping plate of corned-beef and cabbage, but to my mind it doesn’t really compare to a fruity batch of margaritas, mojitos, or sangria. Add some tangy tacos and fresh guacamole to the mix, and you’re good to go. Which is why I’ve decided to recommend a few of my favorite places around the city (of course there’s lots of fine choices, but space is limited) to celebrate this under-appreciated festival.

Arriba Arriba!

Arriba Arriba!

Arriba Arriba!
762 9th Ave. (@ 51st St.)
212-489-0810

From the outside, nothing really distinguishes this Hell’s Kitchen stalwart from the plethora of Mexican joints littering Ninth Avenue. Step inside however, and it’s a different story. Large Mexican murals featuring statues and Latin artwork cover the walls, while soft, orange lighting lends energy and an upbeat mix of disco and 80s puts you in the mood for a party. After wading through the throngs of regulars crowding the place (there’s a reason it’s been so popular for so long), step up to the bar and order one of the signature margaritas. While they don’t use great tequila, and clearly there’s a large amount of sugary, premade mix involved, somehow these it all works. The drinks are available in three sizes: the bebe (4 oz.) is perfect for those looking to wade in slowly, the Papa (12 oz) is a solid bet and a good way to go, and if you’re really looking to party, the Mama – a 27 oz. behemoth – will have you on the road to alcoholic bliss in no time. Standard Tex-Mex fare – nachos, burritos, and enchiladas – all smothered in cheese and beans – are simple but by and large delicious. Arriba Arriba isn’t necessarily breaking any barriers on New York’s culinary landscape, but maybe that’s a good thing. Sometimes all you want is some sloppy Mexican food and stiff drinks that sneak up on you. Which is why this neighborhood spot is truly a godsend.

Lucy Latin Kitchen

Lucy Latin Kitchen

Lucy Latin Kitchen
35 East 18th St (between Broadway & Park Avenue South)
212-475-5829

I first went to Lucy when it was called Chicama, and before that Pipa. But what attracted me to this high-end Latin restaurant was it’s signature flight of mojitos. And for all of $16, it’s one of the best deals in town. Each flight includes a Nuevo mojito (fresh mint, sugarcane juice, Bacardi Limon, and calamansi juice), a Watermelon mojito, which adds fresh watermelon juice and lemongrass to the traditional mix, and a Kafir Mango mojito, a delightful concoction that infuses Bacardi O, mango rum, kafir lime leaves, and fresh mango puree. Of the three, the Watermelon was hands down my favorite: it’s perfect for a warm night, and while the watermelon juice adds a touch of sweetness, the absence of any syrup or refined sugars insures that it doesn’t get too sweet. But the best mojito is a well-kept secret and isn’t even on the menu. A mixture of coconut juice and fresh pineapple, the Coconut-Pineapple mojito brings a true taste of the tropics – think a really good pina colada, but lighter. Absolutely delicious. Unlike Arriba Arriba, Lucy is decidedly more sedate - perfect for those folks looking to spend some quality time with their significant other. While the space is a tad bright for my taste, the design is award-worthy. The space utilizes bright colors and lots of white. Dynamic wooden beams line the ceiling, while more dark wood tactfully placed throughout the room softens the interior a bit. Traditional Latin music plays overhead, and while it probably won’t have you jumping out of your seat, we did see a few couples showing off their best salsa moves by the bar (they must’ve ordered the mojito flight). To soak up the alcohol, chef Maximo Tejada serves an innovative and tasty menu inspired by the culinary traditions of Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean.

Esperanto

Esperanto

Esperanto
145 Avenue C (@ 9th St.)
212-505-6559

Surprisingly enough, it’s harder than you might think to find a good outdoor venue in New York. But Esperanto, in Alphabet City, more than fits the bill for breezy alfresco drinking and dining. Should you decide to start things off before the sun goes down, this little gem is more than perfect - at Esperanto, the party always spills over onto the sidewalk. Even if one is resigned to a table inside the restaurant, the enormous, oversized windows (it somehow seems as though the walls can be removed), rustic and worn wooden floor, and ceiling fans will have you forgetting about the long winter months faster than you can say “summer share”. A Cuban restaurant by design, the bar serves up solid mojitos and caprinhas, and the kitchen’s take on Cuban-Latin classics is startling tasty. With it’s rustic, casual atmosphere, Esperanto wouldn’t be out of place in Key West – and were he to visit New York today, I’ve no doubt Hemingway would’ve made himself a fixture.

Mercadito
179 Avenue B (between 11th & 12th St.)
212-529-6490

I covered Mercadito several months back, and strongly feel a review of Cinco de Mayo wouldn’t be complete without giving this spectacular little restaurant a nod. More than any other place in New York, Mercadito has the power to truly take you away. The margaritas are slamming, and after a few it’s easy to believe you’re sitting in a small neighborhood restaurant in Mexico or Costa Rica. With it’s thatched roof and potted plants, the front room is a modern take on beach-side shack. The back room is a bit less cramped, and provides a décor that seems to take you away even further from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. Chef Patricio Sandoval serves up some of the best authentic Mexican food in the city – and if you do go, be sure and sample the guacamole.

El Bocadito

El Bocadito
79 Orchard St. (@ Broome St.)
212-343-3331

This small newcomer is giving the Lower East Side a lesson in authentic Mexican cuisine. Just six tables fill the diminutive space, and the kitchen serves out delectable and inexpensive (dare I say cheap?) bites like chicken tacos and tortas –scrumptious little sandwiches – almost like miniature casseroles – overflowing with beans, cheese, and ham. But make sure you try the corn on the cob – a sprinkling of queso fresco, mayonnaise, and chili powder elevates this ordinary side dish to something that could easily start a national culinary craze. The margaritas are about as fresh as they come, and incorporate unusual flavors like ginger and acai berry – an antioxidant-rich fruit from the amazon – perfect for helping ward off tomorrow’s hangover.

So there you have it. Just a few suggestions for your Cinco de Mayo adventures. And if for any reason you can’t make the fiesta this year, make a point of swinging by these places some other time – the good news is they’re open year round.