The weather has been incredible and day one in the Big Apple was no different. When we landed it was a teeny tiny bit overcast and cool, but that’s great walking weather (and like Kelly’s family last week, we walked and walked and walked), so we were thrilled! Our amazing hotel, Eventi is located in Chelsea so JT selected a restaurant only about 12 blocks away. We always choose Mexican for our first lunch and NYC has a handful of exceptional restaurants and Crema will probably be our new flavourite! It has more contemporary décor with a touch of Mexican! It’s nice and cool inside even though the door is is wide open, it’s hot and humid outside and there is an open kitchen. We’re very glad because during our walk the sun came out blazing and I was really sweating (like the Eastern European that I am!).
We are seated and served immediately without reservations. The server described our food with detail and passion when he served us.
I had the Ceviche de ($14) which was
African Octopus marinated in orange citrus vinaigrette, avocado, cilantro and garnished with four flour tostadas with avocado mousse in a Mille Feuille presentation. It had black sea salt speckled on it (gotta get me some). Incredible! Beautifully presented and so incredibly tasty!
JT had Flautas en Trilogia de Salsas ($12) it was crispy corn tortillas with shredded chicken, corn, caramelized onions and served with a trio of salsas: tomatillo-avocado, chili aioli paste, and a velvety pinto bean. Very tasty, and beautifully presented.
We may even break our cardinal rule and come here again on this trip!
Overall rating of Crema (in my opinion): Decor 3/5, service 3.5:5, food 4.5/5, Value 4/5, Noise: 4/5 (1 being very noisy, and 5 being very quiet). We paid for our meal in full.
[…] couple of Saturdays ago and came up with this refreshing and flavourful recipe that was inspired by our recent trip to NYC. Norma (Garden to Wok), that lettuce you see in the photo is home […]
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One of the best things about city trips is that since you walk so much, you can A TON! 🙂 I’m amazed at how much I can eat when I am on a trip where I have to walk to get to places!!
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That’s true Yudith, I didn’t gain an ounce even though eating out is very calorie intensive! I do love a walking city!
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You’re making me yearn for a trip to NYC…what a foodie paradise 🙂
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I’m already thinking about coming back this year!
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Sounds like a great find! I can’t wait to get back to NYC one day. Just love it there! Enjoy!
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Hi Kristy, it sure is an amazing place, a real flavourite along with Chicago!
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Good to know you are having a wonderful time in NYC. The food looks so good!
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Thanks Asmita, it was a great trip.
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Glad to know that you are having such a great time Eva. Here you are talking about breaking rules already — who knows what’s next?!?! Say hi to JT for us.
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Thanks Barb, New York makes me feel rebellious! JT said Hi back.
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See you are having a blast in NYC, food looks really sumptous. Going to be in the city Tuesday and Wednesday, wouldn’t it be funny if I bump into you?
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Omg, Norma!!! That would have been so cool, but sadly we leave tomorrow afternoon.
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Glad you are having such a fabulous time in NYC – really mouthwatering review 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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Thanks CCU, it’s an amazing city.
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I’m curious how the the ceviche was consumed with the tostada avocado mousse millefeuille. Did you break off pieces of the tostada and use it to spoon up the ceviche?
I would probably have ordered the safer chicken flauta dish. I tried making flautas at home a couple of times but getting them to hold together was a challenge even with the toothpicks holding the roll together as well as shallow frying rather than deep frying the rolls. Did you imbibe anything alcoholic with your lunch? I would have been tempted to have a cold cerveza in that heat. 🙂
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Hi Maria, I did use the tostada as a scoop but I mainly used a spoon, so tasty. The octopus was so tender and the sauce was delightful.
The tostada was full of flavour each bite was a little different with the three sauces. And although deep fried it wasn’t heavy or fried tasting.
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Sounds like you’re having a terrific time in NYC. I love Mexican food but we don’t have too many Mexican restaurants in Sydney (or Mexicans!) I haven’t heard of black sea salt so that’s going to be something I’ll be looking out for xx
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Hi Charlie we have a few Mexican places in Toronto but not nearly the caliber of some of the US ones; we have few Mecicans too.
Ahhh New York, what a great trip we had,
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