In the mood for a bumpin’ Latin-infused dinner? That’s the kind of vibe my visiting cousins and I wanted on a recent Saturday night. So we headed to the East Village restaurant Yuca Bar, which serves up an eclectic pan-Latin menu and prides themselves on their mojitos and sangria.
It’s a casual place, but the food doesn’t get lazy along with it; the flavors are fantastic and the presentation is impressive for such a low-key spot. You might have trouble selecting just one dish (like I did) so you can go for their tapas instead (like I did). I got the mushroom quesadilla and empanadas and it was just the right amount of food, as my waitress had told me.
Your fish-loving friends will love their many seafood options and your carnivores are covered, but there’s something for you, too!
What’s in it for you: Vegetarian arepa (stuffed corn cake), vegetarian tamale, mushroom quesadilla, veggie burger, spinach-walnut empanadas.
What’s in it for them: Salmon ceviche, lobster quesadilla, baby back ribs with Latin-inspired BBQ sauce, roasted chicken with Guatemalen green beans, roasted pork.
It’s a great group spot, but sometimes the place is so “festive” that’s it’s hard to carry on a conversation. But when food’s this good, who needs to talk?
"Guacasalsa" as Yuca Bar calls, served with tortilla and plantain chips, which I LOVE!
Empanadas. The trio comes in spinach-walnut goat cheese, pulled chicken and seafood stew. I got two spinach-walnut and one chicken (liked the chicken better), so they charged me $1 extra for the one change.
Mushroom quesadilla...tapas size
Pan-seared crab cakes with mango jalapeno salsa
Grilled chipotle glazed chicken breast with Peruvian mashed potatoes and mango-chipotle chimichurri
Passion fruit tres leches...incredible!
Cinnamon dusted churros with chocolate, guava and dulce de leche dipping sauces
Warm chocolate cake served with coffee ice cream and whipped cream
Yuca Bar
111 Avenue A
212.982.9533
F, V to Lower East Side-Second Ave.
6 to Astor Place
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I love this place! When I last ate there, Yuca Bar was running a special– half off all tapas on Tuesday until 8ish or so. They also run drink specials. A very yummy dinner, that was.