Please note that the meal was complimentary. However, the opinions expressed in my blog are 100% my own!
Esperanto in Alphabet City, NYC
I love NY for the diversity of its food and was not disappointed after eating at Esperanto, a Latin restaurant located in Alphabet City that is celebrating its 17th Anniversary. This place has a neighborhood latin café feel that I always like to find, far from the famous places where there is no soul. It is not a big place, but it benefits from having space outside for a few tables, so patrons can enjoy the last bit of good weather before winter comes. Esperanto is not a big place; it is colorful and warm, with a rustic feel.
Doing room at Esperanto in Alphabet City, NYC
We went yesterday and arrived earlier than planned, after seeing a horror movie close by for Halloween. At that point, live music was still playing in the bar area, filling the room with Brazilian rhythms (there is live music everyday from 4 to 6pm).
Live music at Esperanto in Alphabet City, NYC
We started off with ordering some drinks. Caipirinha for me:
Caipirinha at Esperanto in Alphabet City, NYC
Caipirinha at Esperanto in Alphabet City, NYC
Sunshine RX for Jodi, a cold-pressed juice made with pineapple, apple and orange. In fact, Esperante has a juice bar (Jugo juice bar as they call it), that prepares cold-pressed juice at prices very similar if not lower compared to the the Jamba Juice and like. Definitely a good deal.
Sunshine RX cold-pressed juice at Esperanto in Alphabet City, NYC
We decided to order few appetizers, perfect for sharing. Here is what we had:
Guacamole, pico de gallo and chips:
Guacamole, pico de gallo and chips at Esperanto in Alphabet City, NYC
Plantain crusted goat cheese. This was served with sautéed leeks and pico de gallo. Fantastic dish, especially if you like goat cheese. I loved the texture, from the crunchiness of the crust to the softness of the cheese and the flavors paired perfectly together.
Plantain crusted goat cheese at Esperanto in Alphabet City, NYC
Plantain crusted goat cheese at Esperanto in Alphabet City, NYC
Beef empanadas: nice shell, delicious filling that was moist and tasty.
Beef empanadas at Esperanto in Alphabet City, NYC
Mussels, roasted in garlic, paprika, butter and parmesan cheese. A succulent dish that I recommend.
Mussels at Esperanto in Alphabet City, NYC
Last was dessert. The first one was churros, served with a chocolate sauce. These were big churros and I admit that I did not need at all the chocolate sauce as they were delicious by themselves, although missing a tiny bit of sugar.
Churros at Esperanto in Alphabet City, NYC
The second dessert was the banana flambées, that are ripened bananas sautéed in dark rum (lots of it) and sugar, creating a delicious coating.
Banana flambées at Esperanto in Alphabet City, NYC
We had a nice time at Esperanto, a cute little spot in Alphabet City that is worth knowing. They have interesting small plates that are perfect for sharing in a casual and relax setting.
Enjoy (I did)!
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