Rayuela
(917) 267-2253
165 Allen St
(at Between Stanton Street and Rivington Street)
New York,
NY
10002
40.7212
-73.9895
Neighborhoods: Downtown, Lower East Side
Hours:
Mon-Thu 5:30pm-11:30pm
Fri 5:30pm-12am
Sat 10am-12am
Sun 10am-11pm
Price:
$$$$
Last updated 7.05.09
What People Are Saying About Rayuela
The Owner
Rayuela
Owner
Your taste buds will be singing when you experience New York's Rayuela restaurant. This Spanish-influenced eatery introduces Estilo Libre Latino (Freestyle Latino) cuisine, which respects yet redefines traditional Latin American and Spanish dishes including ceviche and tapas.
Located on the Lower East Side, it's owned by Executive Chef Maximo Tejada, restaurateur Hector Sanz and Paul Fernandez. The Spanish cuisine, which respects yet redefines contemporary Latin American and Spanish cuisines, is just what NYC needs.
While the basic structure of the traditional Latin dishes will be maintained, the actual ingredients may be unconventional and may come from over a dozen Latin American countries. For a truly unique dining experience, Rayuel is the place to go. Rayuela is open seven days a week for dinner, with brunch served on weekends. For reservations, please call 212.253.8840.
The Editor
Kathleen Squires
Citysearch
The Scene
An elegantly earthy decor makes the space feel like a fancy South American eco-lodge, with natural design elements like a slate bar, a wood-beamed ceiling and smooth stones stacked in wire mesh niches. An olive tree stretching to the second story provides the focal point, gauzy white drapes allow intimacy without isolating diners and khaki couches supply comfy seating upstairs.
The Food
The menu lives up to the restaurant's name, which means hopscotch. The "freestyle Latino" cuisine jumps borders, picking up flavors along the way and rarely losing balance. A great example is the lobster seviche, a pineapple, jalapeno, coconut water, lemongrass, ginger and caviar combo that steadily teeters between heat and sweet. Moist plantain balls nimbly avoid the leaden trap they are apt to fall into, and collard greens, white beans and chorizo skillfully bolster a baked red snapper. Skip right over the oversalted green rice paella and the middling desserts.
Hits: The airy, easy-on-the eyes design, terrific cocktails, and a fun Latin music soundtrack.
Misses: Long tables against the walls make it awkward for service to wipe up and place plates.
User Reviews
AdamAdam
January 31, 2009
"We showed up on time for an 8:15 reservation on a Friday, and after 45 minutes wasted at the bar, we were still not sat at our table as plenty of people were sat before us. They then held our coat in coat check and avoided giving it to us with excuse after excuse when we told them we were going to leave and find another place to eat. They promised they would get their manager to remedy the situation but that didn't happen either by 9:15. Save your money and you time, and don't bother visiting Rayuela."
read full review
mabcbravo
January 09, 2009
We highly recommend this restaurant. We went on a Thursday night and the environment was perfect, it was not loud, and the music was great. Their menu is exquisite. The food is excellent! Their main menu feature, in my opinion, is the siete potencias ceviche and the razor clams. The entrees are big enough to share. We shared 3 appetizers and 2 entrees with 2 other friends and we were stuff by the end of our meal. If you like meat you must try the churasco and get it medium rare, their meat is imported from Uruguay and it just melts in your mouth. Their wine list is great and reasonable priced. Their staff was attentive and polite, they were knowledgeable of every ingredient and spice used for the preparation of the dish.
read full reviewThe Details on Rayuela
What to Drink:
Try signature cocktails like Coming Up Roses ($12), made with rose water, lime, raspberry rum and champagne with rose petal floaters.
Brunch:
Brunch includes two courses for $16.95, and live music sets a spirited soundtrack.
Where to Sit:
The downstairs lounge serves food until midnight on weeknights, and 2am on Friday and Saturday.
Outdoor Seating:
The outdoor terrace on the second floor makes a cool, cozy summertime spot.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Diners Club, Visa, Discover, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Late Night Dining, Brunch, Outdoor Dining, People Watching, Online Reservations, Date Spot, Group Dining, Live Music, Dine At The Bar, Bar Scene, Prix Fixe Menu
General Info:
Cuisine:
Message from Rayuela
- Modern Latin American Cuisine
- Modern Spanish Cuisine
- Tradition yet Unconventional
Your taste buds will be singing when you experience New York's Rayuela restaurant. This Spanish-influenced eatery introduces Estilo Libre Latino (Freestyle Latino) cuisine, which respects yet redefines traditional Latin American and Spanish dishes including ceviche and tapas.
Located on the Lower East Side, it's owned by Executive Chef Maximo Tejada, restaurateur Hector Sanz and Paul Fernandez. The Spanish cuisine, which respects yet redefines contemporary Latin American and Spanish cuisines, is just what NYC needs.
While the basic structure of the traditional Latin dishes will be maintained, the actual ingredients may be unconventional and may come from over a dozen Latin American countries. For a truly unique dining experience, Rayuel is the place to go. Rayuela is open seven days a week for dinner, with brunch served on weekends. For reservations, please call 212.253.8840.
