Mesa Grill
New York, NY 10011-6902
Phone: (212) 807-7400
Fax: (212) 989-0034
- Cross Street:
- Between 15th Street and 16th Street
- Directions:
- 4, 5, 6; L; N, Q, R, W at 14th St-Union Sq
- Hours:
- Mon-Thu 12pm-2:30pm, 5:30pm-10:30pm, Fri 12pm-2:30pm, 5:30pm-11pm, Sat 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-11pm, Sun 11:30am-3pm, 5:30pm-10:30pm
Editorial Review for Mesa Grill – by Karen Hudes
The Scene
The two-tiered restaurant's Fiestaware-inspired plates are lime, sea blue, yellow and rose; the upholstered seating boasts a rousing cowboy print in red; the ceiling fans spin inside blown-up, flea market cages. This is no ordinary upscale dining room; it's a celeb chef's winking paean to the Southwest--complete with killer cactus-pear margaritas.
The Food
Flay's dishes are fresh and vibrant, flavored with tangy fruits, chiles and herbs. Sweet corn explodes in the garlic-corn and shrimp tamale, as well as in the preview basket of warm muffins. Messy mango-basted short ribs make a delicious appetizer, and while the tuna steak is solid but not dazzling, the blue corn-coated snapper sings. Pucker-intensive passion fruit ice cream and a white chocolate ice cream sandwich topped with warm cherry sauce end the meal on a high.
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Insider Tips
What to DrinkThe hot-pink cactus-pear margarita with rock salt is a joy to drink; the house standard with your choice of tequila (try Corralejo Reposado) also wins.
User Reviews for Mesa Grill
10/07/2008 Posted by kentrosi
I have now dined at Mesa Grill twice. Both times were consistently excellent. I had the pork tenderlion which was cooked to perfection and had some kick to it. We tried the cerviche flight. All three were very good. The accompanying tamale was very good as well. I think the wine list is decent but could be improved. The service was attentive. The resturant was clean and cozy. I will definitely be back at Mesa again.
Pros: Best Southwestern food
Cons: Long wait on weekends
09/29/2008 Posted by gwenzel
We had the chili rellenous, duck, goat cheese dip, oyster appetizer and drinks. All were very good, but not worth the money. The bar drinks are expensive, so I expected them to knock my socks off. They didn't. If it were not owned by a famous chef and the prices not so outrageous, I guess my expectations would have been lower and I would be scoring it higher. I just expected to be blown away and I wasn't. It is extremely cramped in there - they have to move the table in order for you to sit down.
Pros: I can say I've been there.
Cons: expensive and everything is ala carte.
