Zarela Restaurant
(212) 644-6740
953 2nd Ave
New York,
NY
10022
40.7552
-73.9684
Neighborhoods: Midtown, Midtown East (Turtle Bay)
What People Are Saying About Zarela Restaurant
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
Zarela is definitely a good-time place, in no small part because of its eponymous and amicable owner. That the nightly fiesta revolves around some of the best Mexican food in the city makes a visit even more gratifying. The space includes a popular bar area, with a main dining room on the second floor that's less boisterous, but hardly dull.
The Food
The restaurant's culinary visionary is owner Zarela Martinez, and her main courses include some real rib-stickers, like rich, succulent pork braised in a mole poblano that may have you drinking from the faucet all night. From there, choose the pollo borracho (drunken chicken), a sliced-up chicken braised in tequila, white-wine vinegar, golden raisins and pineapple, or any of the tuna, shrimp or other fish preparations. The dessert roster is surprisingly large and satisfying.
User Reviews
elysemarie
May 13, 2009
Let's just say my girlfriends and I walked out of the restaurant, halfway through our meal due to a visitor in our booth AHHHHH!!!! My friend pointed out that I had a cacaroche (city search bans the true word from reviews... hmmm... conspiracy much?) crawling on me, we screamed to high heaven, and a bus boy came and put it in a napkin and ran to the kitchen. Next thing I knew I was asking for the manager, who was a broad with too much attitude.... she tried to debate with me whether it was a cacaroche or a water roche... like woman, an inch long brown roche was crawling on me... do I really need to debate semantics here?? Anyways who knows if the perp was actually a cacaroche or water roche... either way I'm never going back there! Just as a note, when we walked out, a woman at the front who had just finished eating said "Oh you guys had a cacaroche by your table too?" Sorry that place needs to be shut the truck down.
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RMehta
March 27, 2009
I went with my family a few days ago. Upon arriving we were asked to give our coats to coat check only to realize it costs $1 a piece!! C'mon!! We were seated, the waiter took our drinks and then informed us that the 2-1 special was for bar seating only- it was too late as by then the drinks had arrived. My mother is a vegetarian and there was literally NO entrees for vege's-only sides which was disappointing. I casually ordered Tabasco or any type of bottled hot sauce...the waiter brought habanero sauce whcih was awesome except he failed to tell me that it would cost $2. The food was mediocre at best. I've had better Mexican in Manhattan. All in all- we were disapponted with the service, food and nickle and diming. Our bill between 5 adults + 2 rounds of drinks was $115 + tip. needless to say- Zarella did a lousy job in convincing us to come back.
read full reviewnickf06
August 30, 2008
A wonderful experience...fresh, delicious, and unique flavors combined with friendly, knowledgeable service made ours an excellent evening out. Pan-fried plantains with mole sauce, pork shoulder slow roasted in avocado leaves with sour oranges and habanero pepper relish. The desserts were outstanding--almond crepes with dulce de leche and amaretto ice cream, pecan-kahlua-chocolate pie. The manager came to suggest a Mexican wine that paired quite nicely with our dishes. Definitely a Turtle Bay highlight.
read full reviewThe Details on Zarela Restaurant
The Extras:
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Payment Methods:
American Express, Visa, Diners Club, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Live Music, Food Delivery, Prix Fixe Menu
