Rocking Horse Cafe

Rocking Horse Cafe

Owner

Rocking Horse Cafe is a uniquely elegant voice of New York with a warm Mexican accent and offers serious food in a casual environment.

Designed to evoke the spirit of Rocking Horse's contemporary menu, the restaurant's modern sleekness and bold blocks of color are warmed by Mexican-inspired works of art. Delightful innovative dishes as well as contemporary treatments of the classics are the basis for the pre-Columbian inspired menu.

The lively, seductively lit bar features signature margaritas made with the finest artisan-produced tequilas in Mexico. A retractable front wall allows for open-air dining and a prime view of the happenings on Eighth Avenue, Chelsea's energetic "Main Street".

Erin Behan

Citysearch

The Scene
The bright mix of colors painted on the cafe's walls matches the vivid margaritas that sit on nearly every table and litter the sceney bar. The strong, fruity concoctions come with punchy flavors like passion fruit, strawberry and blood orange and draw a casual but fashion-forward crowd.

The Food
This Chelsea favorite is known for its creative Mexican cuisine. The citrus-habanero marinated shrimp atop a mango and corn salsa could benefit from a bit more heat, but otherwise the starter pleases. From the "street food" menu, try the carnitas--the tender organic pork is complimented by tortillas and fresh guacamole--or the reliable burrito. The skillet of shrimp with papaya works as a kind of upscale fajita; its chipotle tomato puree nicely marries the caramelized papaya to the shrimp. The wild mushroom chile relleno gets overwhelmed, however, by its creamy sauce. End with tres leches, imaginatively topped with banana cream.