Can’t make it to Chile or the Easter Islands? Give this Chilean restaurant in NYC a whirl!.
The spiffing up of Avenue A takes a giant leap with Yerba Buena’s ambition. I’ll brave the street’s remnants of grunge for serious cocktails by a professional barman, grown-up impresarios determined to please, and fabulous Latino food, reasonably priced, by partner Julian Medina, whose cooking I loved at Toloache.
I’m a pisco-sour fan, and I recommend this outsize version in a soup-bowl-size goblet with its froth of organic egg white ($11). The guacamole ($9) is good enough, the house-made chips are fantastic (though too salty), and we love the picada—a collection the table can share of yucca croquetas, tostones, pork rinds, and chorizo chunks to dip in a spicy sauce.
Except for cornmeal-crusted calamari and sweet plantains overwhelmed by sticky, sweet tamarind, our fussy foursome would be thumbsup all night if we weren’t so busy eating. The ensalada of jícama, avocado, tomato, and orange in a tangy citrus vinaigrette with minty yerba buena. Baja-style grouper tacos with jícama-cabbage-and-chipotle slaw. The savory seafood fideua baked with small macaroni. Malbec beef short ribs with hand-cut shoestring fries.
And tonight’s special parrillada, sensational mixed grill with rib eye, chorizo, short ribs, and chimichurri. It’s all delicious. I’m not a churros hound, but the fanatics are devouring these. Our friend, a spirits writer, shares sips of a dessert wine, Alcyone, and insists it tastes like s’mores.
With an inventive, adventurous, and well executed menu influenced by various Latin American cuisines, it’s no surprise getting a table here is almost as difficult as getting a seat at the bar. That’s because the cocktails are just as inventive and adventurous. The entire concept is well thought out and delivered equally so. Expect to pay, but what you get is worth more than the figure on the check.
From the impeccable service, out of this world food, and amazing drinks, this place is the BEST. The manager, is so welcoming and attentive. If you’re looking for a perfect date spot or fun group dinner with amazing food and cocktails, this is THE place!
Favorite musthaves:
Drink: Pequito Picante
App: baja fish tacos, arrepas,
Main: black cod
Dessert: churros
Yerba Buena
23 Avenue A (at 2nd Street)
Lower East Side, NYC
