Immaculate Infatuation

In the music biz, we believe that good music will eventually prevail. If you keep putting out great records, your time in the spotlight will come. Take long time Infatuation favorite Phoenix for example. They spent the better part of the last decade flying under the mainstream radar, releasing perfect indie-pop albums that anyone who actually paid attention to, fell in love with. They finally got what’s been coming to them this past year in the form of a breakout single, “1901” and the Grammy for “Best Alternative Album.” The same philosophy can be applied in the kitchen. When you’re consistently cookin’ up the chronic, you can’t hide for long. Hell, even if you’re illegally preparing the perfect lobster roll and selling them through your mail slot in Brooklyn, someone in this town will get wind of it.

We’ve long considered Yerba Buena home to one of the more criminally underrated menus around. It was one of the first rave reviews we ever posted on this site, and for good reason. The food is tremendous. Famous for their cocktails, YB doesn’t receive the kind of culinary critical love it damn well deserves. Possibly because the original East Village location is slightly out of place – a more upscale, expensive restaurant in an area that caters to the exact opposite. While Yerba Buena EV will remain their less well known flagship, it’s their new West Village spot, Yerba Buena Perry, that’s set to catch fire like Bluth’s Frozen Banana Stand and blow their cover. … read more

Café Habana is the coolest eatery in NYC. What’s the secret behind their permanent 30 to 45 minute wait and constant mob of people hanging out in front? It’s the crack they put on top of their Mexican style grilled corn of course. Once you’ve dabbled in it, it’s nearly impossible to not come back for more. Situated on an ideal corner in the heart of Soho, Café Habana is the big ticket. People come from far and wide to witness greatness at work. They cram themselves into the tiniest spaces, literally sitting on top of strangers next to them. Comfort is not something Habana achieves in the traditional sense; it’s something they achieve through their food. Their menu is straight up dirty (in a good way). Everything is cheap. Everything hits the spot.

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From the outside looking in, this place looks like a mafia hang-out. I would have never expected this establishment to house some of the best food and drink in the East Village. They’ve gotten a lot of hype for their cocktails (and deservedly so, one of the best Dark & Stormys I’ve ever had) yet the food is just as good. Each dish was presented with a nice mix of Latin flavors from all across South America. At first glance, I thought the menu was a bit expensive, but the quality of the food totally justified it. For a compact restaurant, they do well with that space so you don’t feel cramped – plus the bar area is great for drinks while you wait for your table. The staff was extremely friendly and very attentive. The owner was around the entire time, making sure everyone was taken care of and everyone from the waiters on down to the bus boys/girls were on top of their game. Good drinks. Good food. Good service. Good vibe. What more can you ask for?

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Oh Cafe Cortadito, how I love thee. You hit me right in my sweet spot with your Cuban flavored goodness. Honestly, if you like Cuban or Latin flavored food it’s pretty much impossible not to love this joint. Granted, when I went there for the first time, it was before they got their liquor license, so we went with a big group and took down like 6 bottles of wine while stuffing ourselves to the max on yuca frita, beef turnovers, skirt steak, and plantains. If we went now, we’d have to pay more for the wine obviously but that first time around left such a great taste in my mouth that I really don’t care. Plus, the wine is well priced. Make sure you get a table in the relatively small back room if you can. If you ever have a big party (like real big … twenty or so), you can rent the whole back room out and it’s a great place to have an intimate, fun dinner party. This is a great little restaurant that does Cuban food right. The price is right, the service is great and the food is very solid. I can’t wait to go back.

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Do you want to know my favorite thing about Caracas Arepas Bar besides the food? I’ll assume the answer is yes since you’re reading this review. It’s not the tall, funky looking waiter who’s got crazy hair and wears sunglasses inside … though, that guy is indeed the man. It’s the fact that once you get inside this tiny eatery, the table you’ve been awarded is yours until you want to leave. Unlike most small restaurants where people vie for seats, Caracas doesn’t rush you. They actually encourage you to order little by little and keep eating until you’re happily bloated and full. Caracas is literally a zoo – people crowd outside the glass and watch as the hungry animals inside inhale food to their heart’s content. There is a 30 to 45 minute wait all day, everyday. Even when you try going at off hours, it’s packed. Luckily Caracas “To Go” is next door, so you can get your fix for the road if you don’t have the patience to wait. Caracas takes pride in being one of the most authentic Venezuelan restaurants in the city. Who am I to disagree? This is by far and away the best Venezuelan food I’ve eaten here. So what if it’s also the only Venezuelan place I’ve ever been to.

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