I had a few great cocktails and light bites at this cool latin bistro. Low key ambience, good background music from what I remember (e.g., whitest boy alive; M83) with friendly & attentive staff. I wouldn't bother with the guacamole...an easy staple but I don't think they got it right. DO try their mushroom tacos, gambas tacos and their grilled shishito peppers w/ smoked paprika...I could eat countless bowls! Try the smoked ginger margarita and then for "dessert" the pina colada mojito. You'll feel like you were transported to an island and the need to slip on your sunglasses. So good. Dreaming about it now.
(4)
Jennifer F.
Decided to check out Mezcla on a Sunday morning around 11:30 AM while in need of brunch. Upon arrival we noticed that there were no customers. Unsure if we were just way too early for brunch in NYC or if the restaurant wasn't good, we decided to stay. The place was clean, the decor was cool and fit their theme, and the Latin music set a nice vibe despite the lack of people. We ordered the scrambled egg quesadilla and the huevos rancheros. Both dishes were around $12 which I felt was a fair brunch price and in addition you get a complementary brunch drink which made the deal awesome. Toward the end of taking our order the server repeated back our order and after saying one of them asked if we wanted guacamole with it. We said yes and then when she walked away we wondered if we had just ordered a separate order of guacamole or if it was going to come on our plates as part of our meal (which we had hoped for). We could have asked but we're feeling lazy and just went with it. A few minutes later a large bowl and guacamole arrived with some chips to dip in it. Unfortunately I was not what we had hoped for however being hungry and realizing it was something we could have asked for clarification on we willingly ate it. The avocados were good but overall the guacamole tasted pretty plain as though it was just smashed avocados. I prefer guacamole that has tomato, cilantro, chili, etc to add some flavor. Next our breakfast arrived. They were both really good I thought a good amount of food. As we were eating another couple came in for brunch. They were seated about 2 tables over from us when the entire restaurant was empty besides us. We thought it was kind of strange and that couple ended up politely asking if they could sit elsewhere to give us space (they obviously thought the same as us). For brunch drinks we got a Bloody Mary and and Bloody Maria. Both good and strong. Service was great in the beginning but toward the end we felt a little forgotten about because we were done eating and it took a while for us to have our plates cleared and receive the check. Kind of strange to us to have that delay when there were only two tables of two seated in the restaurant. I think this place has a lot of potential and would recommend it to someone else. I wonder if it's a popular place at other times of the day.
(3)
Rob A.
Most of the stars are for the cleanliness and service. This place has a very spacious and indulging decor, and the staff was genuinely friendly. Very nice place to bring a date to. I dropped two stars for the price, taste and quantity of food. I've been here twice and had the steak tacos, conejo al ajillo, skirt steak, Now these items are a bit more on the pricey side and to be honest had a very OKAY taste to it. I've had better for cheaper. Also the portions for the appetizers were very very skimpy, the conejo al ajillo [rabbit] was only three bite size pieces for $10, and the taste was pretty meh. I must give it to the drinks though, I had a specialty drink vodka mixed with grapefruit and it was actually pretty phenomenal! Although with my complaint about the food, I still do recommend this place to try out.
(3)
Rena Y.
3.5 Mezcla is a gem on a block that seems to have a paucity of dining options. The vibe is what you might get if you crossed a hipster living in Brooklyn with a LES bartender. The menu is enticing. The dishes on it you've probably seen before, but the particularly iteration of it, likely not. Everything has a Latin twist without it being overpoweringly ethnic. Mezcla has the best Bloody Mary in the city. Go with the version they refer to as "Bloody Maria". Don't be scared by what they call this drink. It's a smoky, well-balanced Bloody Mary with ample acid and spices. No one has been killed or maimed in the making of this drink. (At least I would hope so.) A lot of variety in types of seating. Benches, dining tables, high tops and bar seating. You have all the options here. I'll be back. Tips: Known for the delicious and funky egg Benedicts Desserts are a must. Your brunch comes with a free cocktail. The "Bloody Maria" and peach based drinks are great.
(3)
Shannon G.
Stumbled upon this place tonight with a girlfriend and had a great experience. We had drinks at the bar, so I can't speak to the food. The bartender was friendly and the drinks are well-priced for New York. We just missed happy hour but will definitely be back to try the food. A great option on a block with not many options!
(4)
Karina F.
Overall, cute interior but food is just okay for a high price and service a bit slow. RECOMMEND Gambas al ajillo - 5 large shrimps in delicious garlic sauce for $14 Skirt steak - served with delicious sides for $22, likely 10oz piece DO NOT RECOMMEND Pulpo a la plancha - only 3 tentacles for $10 but super tender Paella Carne - not made in paella pan so not crispy at all. huge portion for $20 and easily can feed 3 persons including the meat but nothing special. Hisbiscus Margarita $13, watered down, nothing special
(3)
Nelson W.
This is my first ever Yelp review. I can't resist not writing one because this place is TOO AWESOME! I had their Marinated Steak and Eggs, pasture raised churrasco steak, farm-fresh eggs served with garlic, scallion, cheese potato au gratin. This place has two farms in upstate NY where it gets most of its ingredients (beef, chicken, pork, eggs and even rabbits, etc). The steak and egg was really good, especially the scrambled eggs were very smooth! Ask for their homemade hot sauce because it was so good! The ambience was nice and cozy. The servers were all very friendly. I love going to eat during non-peak hours because it's quiet and I could enjoy and have nice conversations with the people there. This time I met their General Manager Fernando, who's really nice and friendly. He actually made an order of their quarter Pollo Asado with rice and beans for me to take home FOR FREE after I told him that I wanted to try their roast chicken but it wasn't on their lunch menu. Easily one of the best restaurants I have been to in NYC and one of the best dining experiences I have ever had. You really don't expect this type of great customer service in New York! I would have given it 6 stars if it's possible.
(5)
Harue J.
We had several tapas dishes that dominated the menu, which were all very good. The octopus was so tender, and so was the rabbit, the mushrooms had fabulous intense flavors, patatas bravas was ok, and the chorizo was three very thin slices on thin baguette - nothing special. Tapas dishes are smaller than most other restaurants in nyc - good for 2 ppl to share. Seafood paella was a huge disappointment for me. It just didn't taste like paella at all. It was so tomato-y and had no flavors of seafood broth in the rice (dish came out very fast). Sangria was not as good as other places'. It wasn't too sweet (good) but flavors were not so well-blended, and the pitcher was on the small size w/ a lot of ice. Decor is very nice. However, it is all hard surfaces that bounce the noise all around. Tin ceilings, hard floors, brick walls, hard furniture with nothing to absorb sound. You can be sitting by the front door and can still hear the hinges of the kitchen door squeaking that echoes all around, and bus boys tossing the flatware or stacking up the dishes, and ppl's conversations several tables away. Also there's a draft between the brick walls and the windows along the bench facing 2nd Avenue. I was freezing. We'd stick with certain tapas dishes and avoid some. Perhaps during the week when noise bouncing is less overwhelming.
(3)
Jason R.
Begin the night with five stars. Adorable place with great potential...until you walk in. Let's set some expectations: If you make a reservation, expect to wait at the bar for 30 minutes. Though it was a Friday night, there were several open tables when we arrived. The table selected for us was still occupied, so we waited for those patrons to finish and pay. -1 star A past life in food service showed that sometimes there is a method to the madness of seating. There is still hope for a successful birthday dinner tonight. Once seated, expect to ask for a menu. Then ask for a cocktail menu. (Side note: tell them you are deathly allergic to avocado and then less than two minutes later... receive guacamole on the house due to lack of service. Ominous.) -1 After presentation of the cocktail menu, expect to wait 20 minutes until asking for water. And a food menu (again). And a waiter. -1 The drinks were great. Highly recommend the sweet heat and habanero margaritas. The tequila shots could easily be confused for water glasses. +1 Once the food was ordered, it arrived fairly quickly. Queso fundido, shrimp croquettes, tacos al pastor and tuna tartare were all enjoyable and served at perfect temperature. Later in the meal, we asked for the queso to be reheated and were given a whole new skillet. +1. Expect one waiter check-in during your meal. And, if you're celebrating a special occasion, go elsewhere. The birthday cake slice provided (not complimentary, but ok) was very good, no doubt. But one gets the impression that the enthusiastic delivery is performed in hopes of saving the night. -1 Expect to be told that no manager is available and given a card with no helpful contact information. -1 I hope our experience was unique based on the otherwise positive reviews that lead us here. I would come back at a different time to sample the promising happy hour specials or to have a weekend brunch.
(2)
jeannette r.
My experience at Mezcla was a great one. We sat at the bar and had a few cocktails that were amazing. The bartender Tommy was nice and knowledgable of the menu and made great drinks. The food was delicious and the staff was very attentive. We had many different appetizers including the grilled octupus, gambas and grilled peppers. All which we ordered twice they were so good. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
J. Carlos R.
Amazing Place!! Service was welcoming and outstanding. From the manager to the bussers, they took great care of my date and me. Beautiful ambiance. Wine selection was nice, server walked us through and were very happy with what we chose. Incredible guacamole. One of the best I've had in the city. Very interesting taco selection, but we saved them for another night. I elected to go with a fantastic special prefix that was only available that evening. Very, very impressive. All courses were remarkably delicious. Seared octopus as the starter was splendid. Local farm beef was perfectly cooked and extraordinary. Phenomenal dessert. I most definitely will be back. I highly recommend!!
(5)
Lauren B.
Mezcla started showing signs of promise right away. The big wooden doors and gold lettering in the window made me eager to try it. Try it I did, since our neighborhood is desperately in need of some new blood. I went the first Saturday it was open, real jazzed up about trying all it had to offer. My friend JAK and I went in around 6PM. We sat at the bar, and I was surprised to see that most tables were already filling up. We ordered the Sangria, which looked super dark, but was really tasty, light and very refreshing. Excellent summery sangria. Winning! Plus, the space is well appointed, with wood, metal, exposed bulbs. Actually a fairly classic "modern-vintage" vibe so many places are using as their decor these days. We decided to try some appetizers (I believe it was listed as Tapas on the menu) to go with our delicious drink. We ordered the Rock Shrimp Croquettes (Serrano ham, watercress, red chile mustard on the side). This was such a weird dish. It was basically fried cheese. And some ham. There was almost zero shrimp in there. And while I love fried anything, especially cheese, this just wasn't what I thought I was getting, which was both disappointing and frustrating. I wanted to taste shrimp! It's summer! Shrimp is listed as a main ingredient! But we thought we might as well try some more things, since we all know not every dish can be a winner. We tried the...watercress dip? It's not on any online menu. It was the same as spinach artichoke dip. All warm and gooey and came with tortillas on the side. But only came with three tortillas, which makes sharing hard. We asked for more though and they were happy to accommodate us. I really liked this dish. It was light and fresh, interesting and a fun new take on a classic. I would order this again. We continued to try different drinks at the bar, the bartender was friendly and inviting, he made us different things off the menu and split them into two glasses so we could try everything. The margaritas were the home run of the night. Other drinks were too heavy, like the Manzahattan. It's an old fashioned, but a little too smokey for my liking and much too heavy for summer. It basically tasted like... rye. If I want rye on the rocks, I'll go ahead and order that. This had very little flavor other than the smokey aftertaste...le sigh. The bartender did make us a few drinks that were off the menu, which were really good. He should really think about creating his own cocktail menu and throwing the current one away. Once the others in our party arrived, we sat for dinner. Our table of four shared two orders of the pork belly taco tapas option. Don't bother ordering this. The taco was soft but so dense, thick and heavy it ruined the rest of the dish. There wasn't enough pork belly in the world to make that taco less offensive. Pass. We also shared the Guacamole, which was tasty, classic and fresh. My friend JAK and I split the Rabbit Paella (alborio rice, wild mushrooms, green asparagus, cotija cheese, truffle oil) as an entree and it was pretty good. It was more like a rabbit risotto, but it sure helped sop up all the beverages we consumed at the bar. I wasn't thrilled with this dish, but it really wasn't bad either. I do think the prices were a bit high, but the quality is there, even if the flavors are not. This new neighborhood joint is brought to you by the owners of Posto across the street, which boasts some of my favorite pizza. I was surprised this place wasn't better, but I will give it another chance, because they probably have a lot of kinks to work out, being that it only opened this past week.
(3)
Jose H.
Great place, first time here and my server Armando was so friendly and professional I tried the Ceviche Ecuatoriano and I loved it definitely ill come back for more .. !!!
(5)
Josie J.
I got sick right after eating their food. They should shut down their delivery service or revamp it. Food took more than an hour to be delivered. When I called the restaurant to ask about the status of my order I was told by the general manager that they were waiting for their delivery boy to come back, that he would himself deliver my order, that it would be fast and it would not be cold, that it was going to be out of the kitchen in a minute. Food got here 10 min later, but cold, mushy, and seafood had bad texture and smell. $33 down in the drain... I only gave 1 star because I cannot give zero star. Our experience in the restaurant was completely different: food was fresh, hot, good and service was good. That one was a 5 star.
(1)
Bernie H.
I love this place. I went twice in one weekend. The food was perfect both times, and the service was good as well. My boyfriend and I even got free cocktails on Friday night :). Very reasonably priced as well.
(5)
Lucy C.
I thought I reviewed this place a while ago but I guess I forgot. The entire meal was pretty unmemorable. The guac wasn't fantastic, nor were the entrees. I definitely would not go as far as to say the food or drinks were bad but I wouldn't come back. I do like that they tried to diversify an area that literally no finer dining though--good look & feel and pretty plating.
(3)
Halley M.
Visited Mezcla this weekend while craving some tacos! We were on our way to the East Village for Mexican there but were tempted into Mezcla by their paella special on Sundays and Mondays. The board suggested a free paella when you order a bottle of wine, or two drinks, or a pitcher of sangria, or a pitcher of beer, all of which would make sense for 2 people when you consider paella is usually a dish for sharing.Turns out they expected each person to fulfill the drink requirement, i.e. 1 bottle of wine/person, in order to qualify. Seemed a little excessive for a Sunday night. The owner/manager put up a little fuss when we wanted to order paella and 1 drink for each of us (2 people) but luckily the waiter pulled through and we got a great deal. On to the food... we had the meat and seafood paella, tasty, plenty to share for 2 people. We also had the chips and guac (good, fresh), plus two sets of tacos (bbq- amazing, like a short rib, and surf and turf- also great, with a nice spicy aioli), plus said paella. Honestly the tacos were the highlight! Drinks: boyfriend had a spicy margarita that he liked, I had a pineapple mojito. Overall liked the decor and interior, felt like the neighborhood could be taking a step in the right direction, and wording of the special aside, a decent spot for dinner!
(4)
Laura L.
Went for dinner with my son, the service was great. Everyone was so friendly and courteous. Dinner was phenomenal. We started our meal with guacamole, it was fresh and the chips were crispy. I, then had the garlic shrimp and BBQ pork tacos! Everything was exceptional. We left happy and full. I'd definitely come back with friends or family.
(5)
Chicharito G.
Excellent plece. With excellent food is nice moments together with family and friends.. Very soon he will enjoy these paellas delights... Thanks. Mezcla
(5)
Chelsea P.
We had a great dinner last night - guacamole to start and salmon tacos and the pork chop. Yum!
(5)
Abraham C.
I have been here a few times, my girlfriend is in the neighborhood and it has become one of her favorite spots.. The atmosphere is super nice, the decor is just right, and the service has been excellent every single time.... Gambassss, you gotta try the gambas al ajillo which are the best I've tried, EVER. For entrees, I have gotten the rotisserie chicken which is pretty cheap for the amount you get, & you also have the option to get a full chicken.. Churrasco skirt steak- perfectly cooked for 3rd time in a row. I gotta give it to them. & last but not least, THE FLAN & CHURROS... perfect way to finish our dinner... I have tried A LOT of flans, and it definitely is one of my favorites in the city... & great drinks selection Overall a great place.
(5)
james m.
Armando makes a superior drink Very high quality and tasty The habernita should be a best of new York cocktail
(4)
Melanie A.
Unique and great atmosphere. The sesame crusted seared tuna Cobb was delicious. Spicy and light at the same time. Huevos Rancheros were great as well. Very authentic and delicious. They brought out their homemade hot sauce which hit the spot and pulled the dish together. 2 drinks included with brunch? Yes, please!
Vegetarian Review I want to give this place 4 stars but I just can't. Overall, it's a nice space with good ambiance, and kind servers. However, I review based largely on the quality of the food relative to price and it's slightly above average - 3.5 stars at best. If you eat here you won't leave disappointed because the food is good. It's just not great. The quality of the ingredients are reasonable but not the best. For example, they use cremeni mushrooms in their tacos and other dishes which are generally lower grade versus say portobello or shiitake. The favor is of the food is good but not exceptional. We tried the peppers in the tapas which were OK but didn't have any especially great taste. The paella was good but didn't leave me wowed. Similarly the cocktails for $13 are not special. Good but not great. I would be surprised if you ordered more than 1 of these. Contrary to what other reviewers have written the menu isn't 'inventive' at all, it's just varied. That is they have Spanish tapas, tacos, guacamole and paella. I find that strange because it's unfocused and likely contributes to mediocrity. Others may like the variety. This area needs a reasonably good restaurant which is why I think it will survive. If you want really great food though at similar price head down below 14th street.
(3)
Rochelle S.
Wonderful food! Was very pleased with the tacos, extremely fresh and delicious!! The service was great, extremely attentive. Lastly, dessert was amazing. Can't wait to come back. Glad to have a great place in the neighborhood!
(5)
Jose C.
Visited on a Sunday evening while looking to unwind. This place has an amazing ambiance, the background music, the decor and the friendly faces made for a very enjoyable evening. The tapas were excellent and the IPA beer was just the way God intended it to be ;) We were welcomed by the bartender, Abraham, who immediately made us feel at home. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Jon Q.
Went here twice. Once for drinks and Guac/chips, and was very underwhelmed. Really do themselves a disservice with the Guac because the rest of the menu looks fantastic. The second time we went for brunch, and I came away surprised how much better my experience was. Cava mimosa was unspectacular but good. But the banana brioche French toast and chorizo side were amazing. Singlehandedly changed my mind about this place.
(4)
Sharon B.
Made reservations for 7:30 on a Saturday evening. We arrived and were seated iimmediately. Everyone from the hostess to the waiter were all so friendly and attentive to everyone. A huge plus in my book! We started with a few cocktails - The red sangria reminded my cousin of the sangria he drinks at home in Madrid! that's a pretty big comparison! He loved it. I had several glasses of this sweet, smooth Cava and my husband tried a gin&tonic that was made with this wonderful gin from Holland! The drinks were definitely not small at this restaurant! Well served glasses! We enjoyed several Tapas - Shrimp in Garlic, Guacamole, Patatas Bravas ( fried potatoes.. a classic in Spain), Sauteed Mushrooms and an order of the Ropa Vieja tacos (the meat was so sweetly seasoned..we could have kept ordering tacos all night!) Everything was amazing and well priced for the serving portions. For dinner we decided to order 2 paellas and share amongst the 3 of us. The Vegetarian version, filled with the freshest veggies ( when they say "farm to table", they certainly are not exaggerating!) and the Valenciiana with mussels, shrimp, chorizo and chicken. The rice in the paellas was beautifully seaasoned..There was actually leftovers and I grabbed the bag to take home for lunch! For dessert we tried the churros with melted chocolate ( holy moly! delicious!) and the Tres Leches and Flan. I'm not a fan of Flan, but this version has changed my opinion! It went well with the coffee! ( of course, I had to have some Mexican Coffee Liqueur in my cup! The waiter came by the table with the bottle and I said "yes, please!") My only regret is that I couldn't try everything, but that means we will go back again soon for another wonderful evening. We were not rushed and the staff were definitely a great part of our night.
Came in on a quiet Wednesday evening and immediately the atmosphere felt relaxed and welcoming. Our server was very attentive throughout the meal, as was the rest of the staff. My husband ordered a cider and was brought a sample immediately. The food was really good. I tried to keep it light, ordering a salad, and sharing a couple apps (amazing patatas bravas), while my husband ordered the skirt steak and was brought a huge portion. He seemed very happy. A couple next to us ordered the paella and it smelled and looked so wonderful that I know next time to order a salad -and- paella. Delicious!
(5)
David J.
We live nearby, and have come back a couple of times. We like the inventive menu, and the service is always very nice and personable. If you like spicy, try some of the hot sauce that the cooks make for themselves in the kitchen. T here aren't many restaurants on this part of Second Avenue, so the good ones should be supported, right?
(4)
Mo J.
New spot opened up in the area. Looking in through the window it seemed like it would have a great vibe -- nice decor, cool setup, full bar. We went with a group of 8 on a Saturday and the place for fairly empty. Not a great sign. Specialty cocktails were just ok. Switched to traditional vodka drinks fairly quickly. The food took forever. We waited over an hour for apps and another hour for dinner. Again, the place was empty. Once we got food it fell pretty short. Not terrible but nothing special. We chalked this up the growing pains. The spot was fairly new and it could've been an off night. The staff was pretty nice too and constantly checked up on us.
(3)
Charlotte R.
The service was terrible. We had stale chips, over the hill guacamole, we asked for corn tortillas and got flour tortillas so they had to remake them. When they were remade they forgot the avocado on the tacos and then once asked they brought us 3 slices of avocado for two plates of tacos (6 tacos). It took them forever to get the check and they offered no compensation for their many mistakes.
(1)
G L.
Good brunch specials that come with a complimentary cocktail. $10-$18 (?) per entree. Bloody Maria has just enough spice and is yum. The Huevos rancheros and Spanish Benedict were pretty good, nothing amazing. We actually liked the desserts better than the entrees. The flan is thick and creamy:) and the tres leches is yummy as well. Service was very friendly. Will be coming back for brunches in the future!
(4)
David B.
Some friends had a celebration at MEZCLA last week.... They had a great dinner..!!! I must go back,,,!!,
(4)
Queen B.
I have been to mezcla a couple of times. The service is good and the food is great. Even recommended my family and friends to come check it out. While we was there we order the guacamole, the shrimp tacos, the roasted chicken with rice and bean and the gambas al ajillo. The food there is awesome and the drinks are great. I wouldn't mine stopping in for brunch and dinner day to day
(3)
Carlyn B.
This is my favorite neighborhood place. We have gotten to know some of the staff and they greet us each time we return. The drinks are delicious and the food is even better! Highly recommend!
(5)
Frank S.
My buddy and I tried this place today for the first time today and we were both extremely unimpressed. We live right around the corner and we were really looking forward to this place being a go to spot. Sadly, the only reason I gave this 3 stars was because the service was great as the staff was very nice and welcoming (granted it wasn't too busy) so they could be extra attentive. The atmosphere was pretty nice too. Other than that I felt the prices were way too high for everything but the entrees (though I usually don't mind small portions if the food is excellent) but none of the dishes were really that good. From our first dish (guacamole) the chips had that chewy staleness and the guac was heavy on the salt. I had the croquettes next which were ok for a couple bites but too rich and heavy and the sauce they came with was mediocre. My buddy had a salad and was also unimpressed. We finished with the octopus which in my opinion was so boring, a little chewy and fishy tasting that we left about 1/4 of it left on the plate when we left even though we we're both still hungry! Maybe these are just a growing pains as it just opened but def not a good start. I definitely won't back anytime soon especially with the wealth of great options out there and more opening all the time. P.s. It also took the place of one of Gramercy's oldest and best Italian joints, Cappucines.
(3)
Smoove B.
UPDATE: They seem to have gotten their act together. Below is a shortened version of my complaints from my second trip there: ///I went there with my girlfriend about two days after it opened, and it was great. Food, service, atmosphere, everything. Then we went again a week or two later. Clearly, whoever makes that place run smoothly had taken the night off. I'll divide this review into Week 1 vs. Week 2. Guacamole: Week 1: Chips were perfect, well presented, guac itself was excellent. Week 2: Guac was still just as good but the chips were thin, undercooked and greasy, and there weren't enough (edible?) chips to eat all the guac. Rabbit Paella: Week 1: My girlfriend raved about it. Week 2: monochromatic, bland, and way too much chorizo. Also, this was clearly risotto, not paella. Tres Leches: Week 1: Great. Top 3 tres leches(es?) ever, in my book. Week 2: Smaller. Also, it was dry for what it was supposed to be. There were a maximum of dos leches in there. Drinks: Week 1: Margaritas (regular and watermelon) were great. Tasted like what they were supposed to taste like, plenty of booze but not "oh, it's your 21st birthday?!?!? UH-OH!!" levels, and not loaded down with "margarita mix" or syrupy junk. Week 2: Wine. My malbec was good, but my girlfriend's rose was oxidized. Service: Week 1: We were both shocked at how smoothly everything went, considering they had only been open for 2 or 3 days. Week 2: The waitress was perfectly nice but stuff took forever to come. Also, once we got our entrees, she got progressively harder to track down. I could tell that they knew they weren't having a good night. The hostess, and someone who appeared to be a manager, were sort of apologetic on the way out. We live around here and are emotionally invested in this place because we want a latin restaurant in our neighborhood that isn't 10 blocks south and swarming with drunk NYU kids. Restaurants can be a hot mess right after they open, I get it, and I'm sympathetic. So we'll be back, and I'd be more than happy to update this review and bump it up to the 4 or 5 stars I'd have given it if I had based this review on week 1 alone. But it's obvious that someone on staff makes that place run smoothly, and that person is either not allowed to have a personal life for the next 6 months, or needs to find someone who they're confident can run the show in their absence and not let it completely fall apart./// THE UPDATE: I have been there a few times since. Things seem much better. The rabbit paella is gone and replaced with a veggie paella that's actually paella. Drinks were excellent. Chips tasted home made, as they should for a restaurant of this price. Dessert was top notch. I tried the skirt steak and it was perfectly cooked with a creative but still distinctly Latin flavor. The service was on the ball every time. Hopefully this is the new standard and not just a series of flukes. I think it's safe to say this place is ready for prime time and I'm looking forward to it becoming a neighborhood staple.
(4)
Phil C.
My wife and I came for dinner just 5 days after the restaurant opened. The staff was very friendly and eager to please. We ordered a pitcher of sangria and the first thought was that it was a small pitcher for the price. But it wasn't stuffed with ice and fruit so really it was more sangria than the 2 of us would have wanted We shared the Patatas Bravas Con Pulpo (crispy battered purple potato, charred octopus, saffron emulsion, jalapeño, peanut pesto) and were very impressed with the tenderness of the octopus and the interesting fusion flavors. My wife's entree was the Local Farm Raised Rotisserie Chicken w/black beans & rice, small house salad, mole sauces. She thought the flavor was amazing (some Moroccan influence there) but maybe it could have been cooked a little bit longer. I had the Seafood Fideu Paella (toasted fideo, mussels, grilled octopus, shrimp, roasted tomato sofrito) and I absolutely loved it! Not a huge portion as Paella often is but certainly enough. We closed out the meal with Tres Leches recommended by Eddie, the manager. He was right.... it was a winner! Eddie took the time to explain to me about their Farm-to-Table efforts growing many of the foods they serve at local farms on Long Island. They also deal with small local sources for other ingredients which I applaud. The noise level was a bit toward loud but not so loud that we couldn't talk. I think given the place opened on Monday and it was this full on Friday speaks well of this newcomer to the neighborhood.
(4)
Deborah P.
This place has everything it needs to be a success. A good menu, fresh ingredients and a great location. But what good is a $35 cut of prime beef is it arrives well done when you ordered it medium rare? The waiters mean well but they are poorly trained and the food takes a long time to come out of the kitchen so the waiters make themselves scarce. Worst of all the $18 glass of Manzanilla fino was off from probably sitting around for a long time. Anybody home in management?
(2)
Melissa U.
Mezcla is a nice addition to Gramercy with reasonable prices and a warm atmosphere. I was greeted by a friendly and excited staff which is always appreciated. I had the guacamole - fresh and extra spicy (as requested) followed by the pulpo (octopus) which was super tender and came with perfectly fried blue potatoes. My friend ordered the rabbit paella - very tender and nicely presented. I had the pork belly puffy tacos, although flavorful, were lacking some spice and acidity (a few tweaks would make it perfect. The wine and cocktail menu is extensive and includes some organic options. I will definitely return!
(4)
Ross C.
Pleasantly surprised. What a gem! Far exceeded expectations. We came for brunch and were delighted by everything. First, it's a good deal. It comes with both a non-alcoholic drink- my fresh OJ was good and my coffee fiend of a girlfriend devoured her coffee-- plus a choice of alcoholic beverage, which are far better than the standard fare. My coconut mojito was out of this world good and she quite enjoyed her berry mojito. I had the apple cinnamon pancakes and a side of scrambled eggs, both delicious. She had the Mezcla Omelette with chorizo and cheese and it did not disappoint. All of the above and the check was under $35, not too bad for all that in NY. I considered dropping a star because we had to wait a very long time to order--so long that we nearly walked out--but we're so glad we didn't. Extremely satisfying meal. We'll be back.
(5)
Sarah D.
What a great little place to eat. My group and I went for lunch and the staff were so nice and welcoming. The food was also very delicious. I would recommend this to anyone who wanted good Latin American cuisine. Over all amazing!
(5)
E B.
Mezcla is a really cute spot with a good menu and great drink options. It wasn't very crowded on a Saturday night, but the service still left a lot to be desired (hard to get their attention, a bunch of mistakes), though they did attempt to make up for it with some free items which is always appreciated. Guacamole is meh (can't really go wrong...), sauteed shrimp appetizer was great, and the tacos were all delicious and very well-priced. Drinks are a bit expensive ($13) but not surprising...they're ok, nothing to complain about or write home about. Would likely go back, but don't expect to be wowed.
(3)
Justine T.
Great food, good atmosphere, the service was awesome. The chef sent us comped taco's to try! The sangria was delicious. I would totally come back here, I loved it.
(5)
Christine Y.
Great food, friendly and prompt service. Highly recommend!
(5)
douglas h.
Ambiance ok. Staff ok. Vegetarian/pescatarian selection eh. Food had no heat in it. Guacamole bland. Only saving grace was the dessert. Hibiscus drink ok. No more cider being offered on the menu. I have nothing bad to say. Just unremarkable. Wouldn't go back.
(2)
David R.
Don't bother - we just order 2 orders of tacos and the beet salad. The beet salad was basically 4 spoonfuls of beets, fennel, etc. For $12. Are you kidding me? We thought it couldn't be right so we called and they sent another one. Same thing - ridiculous. And the tacos were dry, no sauce included. From the other reviews, I'm thinking maybe we had a bad night. But I will not be trying it again -
(1)
Melissa L.
I came here to celebrate my birthday with a group and we had a wonderful time. The staff was incredibly attentive, thoughtful, and accomodating. The food and drinks were delicious. They have the best Tres Leches cake I have ever had in my life. Will definitely be going back soon!
(5)
star y.
I have eaten here twice for lunch during the week and have had the same experience both times. The food is good but the portions are small. But the reason I gave them two stars is both times they never came around to refill our waters, and both times I had to get up and approach the counter to ask for the check, and walk the check back to the counter, because the server never came around and was oblivious behind the bar and we could not get his attention for the longest time. I think it's nice that they don't make you feel rushed but at the same time - it's lunchtime during the week in NYC, not a Saturday morning leisurely brunch. Everyone has to hustle back to work. If they refilled our waters and were attentive to our needs, i would probably have overlooked the small portions!!
(2)
Eric E.
We had a great experience. My girlfriend and I went for happy hour drinks and tapas. The mojitos were the best I've had in the city! Plus, having sugar cane to chew on makes everything better. The pan con tomate and cod fritters were delicious (if a little small, but at $5, it's still good.) the service was attentive but not overbearing.
(5)
Clara H.
Came in for lunch on a weekday. Good food and a good selection. $10 lunch special is also a plus. The staff was also extremely nice and a pleasure to deal with. Would definitely return.
(4)
mitchell k.
They will be out of business soon. Pass.
(2)
Marie A.
Was excited to try this place but it didn't meet or exceed my expectations. The guacamole tasted like it was made with lemons and the sangria wasn't fruity at all it had a bite that made my friend unable to drink her glass. The potatas bravas were simply fried potatoes (with no sauce). My chicken tacos were fine but too much of the meal wasn't.
(2)
Leigh D.
If I could give this place zero stars I would! Worst meal I have EVER eaten in New York City or maybe even anywhere! When we were seated the waitress look her sweet ass time to come over to our table and never greeted us. We ordered three tapas and they were all inedible. The plantain fritter was so over fried it was gummy and hard to chew. The pork belly taco had a homemade hard taco shell that looked good but was thick and stale. Also very hard to chew. The ceviche taste old and was sitting on a bland tostone. All in all the food had absolutely no seasoning and the drinks were watered down. I don't see this place lasting long!
(1)
Nick H.
Went here for a quick bite with my girlfriend. Mezcla happens to be right around the block from me and we were looking forward to checking it out. As others have noted, the place looks great and the staff is friendly. That's the good news. We ordered two drinks-- the hibiscus margarita and the old fashioned española, as well as some pastor tacos to share. The staff appeared mystified about the cocktails, and eventually (after the food had arrived!) brought over the drinks, one of which was completely wrong (a regular margarita instead of the old fashioned). Obviously mistakes happen, so it wasn't a big deal. We notified the waiter, who eventually (after we had finished eating) brought over a drink that was basically a bourbon and soda. My girlfriend's hibiscus margarita tasted like tequila and hibiscus-- not a lot of margarita flavor there. So as for the tacos, they were completely underwhelming. I have never been served tacos that were served on cold tortillas-- these tortillas tasted as if they were fresh from the fridge. The meat was okay, but lukewarm and not super flavorful. The sauce that came on the side tasted like nothing-- honestly we could not figure out what it was supposed to be. I should also mention that we were the only people there the entire time. We left with the feeling that this is a cute spot in a great location, but that we had just spent $40 on pretty much nothing. A big waste of money, and I will definitely not be going back.
(1)
Karen v.
Have now been here several times and it is a great neighborhood find. The wine is great and they give a nice healthy pour. I have now had several dishes here...we split the skirt steak most recently and it was fabulous perfectly cooked to order and surrounded by lovely spices and vegetables. We have also had the pork chop and fish tacos all of which are out of this world. The service is on par with the food - really great.
(4)
Fm L.
So I came here a few weeks ago and we really liked this place. It seemed that no one had paid attention to it. We tried getting in a week ago and it was packed to the brim on a Friday night. We went somewhere else but decided to come back again. This time on a week day. We saw that they changed the menu a little and I hope this is not an every day thing because I usually like to come back for certain dishes. We had Veggie Tacos and Shrimp Tacos. Mine were as starters. I then moved on to a steak special they had and she had some tapas which are all night it seems on Sundays and Mondays. The service was still very good and the what we ate was just delicious!! There was a good crowd in there with various age groups and the crowd didn't seem as pretentious as when we first came. We shared a dessert and a double espresso to top everything off. I forgot to mention that we had a couple of cocktails that were totally something different that other places. We had a coconut mojito and a berry mojito. Both were delicious. I still like this place. It makes a statement without being over the top. We see that it has very spanish and latin influences but it doesnt have to have a pinata hanging or the servers wearing guayaberas. Its just good straight food with great flavors and service. The place is warm all around..even the music rocks. This is on my top 10 list. Hope they don't change.
(5)
K D.
A very nice new spot in a neighborhood with slim pickings when it comes to tasty food, cool attitudeless scenes, and sexy drinks... Mezcla has all of the right ingredients to be the chill, non-scene place to equally bring your family, date, or toy mate of the week... I've been here several times since it opened last year. Even though it has been through some false starts and brainstorming, it's a great relief that this place seems to be getting it together to be the non-scene cool spot where food, drinks/wine, service, and vibe work together to bring you back... One thing, Mezcla crew, keep the music beats sexy-soft-loungey!
(4)
S M.
Go here! This is sophisticated Mexican/Latin food. Had simple chicken tacos that were incredible, fresh, full of complex flavors-- delicious! I don't even know what all was in there but they were smokey, then the onion was citrusy, then the cilantro--- yum. Also quite cheap! The restaurant space is clean, simple, elegant and great music!
(5)
Nanda B.
We went here for dinner the other night. My quick points review: - Staff and service were good - I really enjoyed their Manzanilla (we had recently been in Spain so it brought back memories) - Patatas bravas (Spanish dish) was good - Steak was a little fatty (granted it's not Peter Luger's) I really enjoyed the vegetables served with the steak - Also tried the Kale salad (not bad) // the habanero cocktail was good too - they should heat up the chocolate that comes with the churros they're still new'ish so still working out some kinks but hopefully they figure it out; the place has potential if you're familiar with the gruppo/posto restaurants this is the same ownership and the quality there is always consistent
(3)
Mike S.
Mezcla is off to a good start, I visited for the first time the other week and found several dishes genuinely interesting. Some of the items were hit or miss and the service, while attentive, was certainly still finding its rhythm. The prices are reasonable, you get a big portion however it will probably prohibit some from repeat visits beyond here or there.
(4)
Sarah C.
I have now been to Mezcla twice and after the most recent dinner with my fiancee I was prompted to write my first review after having the an amazing date night. Mezcla has been excellent both times I have been here. The shrimp in garlic sauce is amazing, one of my favorite dishes ever, additionally I loved the mushrooms and the ropa vieja. Nothing makes me happier then delicious margs, good guac and tasty small plates, this restaurant delivers on all three with good service and a nice ambiance. This is a great restaurant for a date night or a dinner with friends. Mezcla is a refreshing new restaurant to the neighborhood!
(5)
Carlos D.
Came here the other night for happy hour and eventually dinner with 2 friends. we all agreed the margaritas and guac were on point. the gambas and pollo taquitos were also very good. for dinner i had the skirt steak and it was absolutely delicious! the service was fast and friendly. would definitely come here again!
(5)
Brittany D.
Excellent service, excellent food. The staff is so pleasant, the atmosphere is great and the amount of food to choose from is wonderful. Very high quality tapas and entrees. We didn't have one thing that we didn't like and we tried A LOT of stuff. Get the flan!! It's the absolute best!!!
(5)
Dawn P.
Went on a whim for a late Saturday lunch and we were blown away. This place is everything you could want in a restaurant. Everything was fresh and delicious, plated perfectly and delivered in a timely fashion by our helpful and friendly (yet not invasive) server. We split the guacamole, beet salad and roasted veg quesadilla and the only way i can describe this meal is that it was special. And these are pretty staple menu items I've had a hundred times, so for them to be so well crafted is very impressive. The ingredients listed from a local farm up on the board help to understand why everything tastes so fresh, and we had no intention of getting dessert (in fact I had bought us a piece of.pie at the farmer's market we chose to skip because we were certain the desserts would be worth trying)... but a scoop of rum raisin and decadent tres leche with an espresso later.... we are 2 satisfied customers to say the least. (Seriously don't miss the rum raisin... this underdog on the desert menu is award worthy here.) A comfortable, warm environment and an owner who clearly cares seal the deal. Thank you Francesco, we will be back for sure very soon!
(5)
Hanna D.
My husband and I tried this lovely new place in our neighborhood for dinner a few days ago - it's off to a great start! The manager came by our table and encouraged us to try something we wouldn't ordinarily order and promised that if we didn't like it, he'd take it off our bill. We were intrigued and ordered the nopales - oven baked cactus in red chile with cheese. It was delicious, and turned out to be our favorite dish of the night. I really appreciated their enthusiasm and am so glad we tried the nopales - we'll go back especially for that. Mezcla's space is very nicely laid out. It has a bar/high tables area that will be perfect for wine and snacks with friends and then it also has seats for a full meal. I think the prices are right for the area, and I found the portions appropriate. The service was very friendly, and while there were a few kinks with the seasoning on some dishes, I'm sure they'll iron it out soon. I'm excited for them to expand into brunch as well. Mezcla is a welcome addition to the neighborhood! I look forward to going back again soon.
(4)
Christina F.
This is going to be a regular spot for me. They have great sangria and tapas. A bunch of my girlfriends split pitchers of sangria and a few different tapas. The rock shrimp dish was delicious. I absolutely love the ambiance of the restaurant!
(4)
Hil N.
Surprised this place has such bad reviews. The drinks were excellent, the food great Latin/Mexican food without being heavy. Service was good and the atmosphere fun. Tons on the menu still to try and the happy hour specials are great. Will definitely go back.
(4)
Jamie S.
I was really hoping this place would be a home run because I live right across the street. I ordered a chicken quesadilla for lunch- it was done quickly, the tortilla was crispy but everything was WAY TOO SALTY including the pico de gallo. I could only eat half before I just couldn't stand it anymore. If they cut back on the salt it would have been great. Everything seemed pretty fresh.
(2)
Mary C.
Yum, Yum, Yum! Great food, wine, service, and energy. Perfect way to spend a Thursday evening. Also excellent music selections! Gracias!
(5)
T B.
The good was ok, nothing great. The puffy taco was a shame. A good puffy taco should be light, puffy and fall apart, however, these are dense and thick. Good news: they gave my wife tons of free drinks at the bar Bad news: wife had to go home at 9 and get in bed.
(2)
NY C.
Such an amazing place. One of the best lunch options in the area: fresh and delicious food & exceptional service. Love their tacos pescados and quesadillas.
(5)
Gregory G.
All the food was delicious. Portions are a little small. 2 for 1 beer specials happy hour.
(3)
Dina L.
The food and staff was excellent. Cocktails were unbelievably amazing and tasty. I'm very surprised to a few negative reviews and I'm glad I went. Can't wait to go back. Nice addition to the area.
(5)
Peter B.
We went here on the weekend, thrilled that there was a Latin cuisine restaurant in the neighborhood. We were a bit disappointed. Pros: the staff is very welcoming and attentive (although there seem to be many more than is warranted for the size of the restaurant). The space, which is completely renovated, is very bright, pleasant and airy. There is a full -- and active -- bar. Cons: The space is rather loud and the quality of the food does not warrant the prices being charged. We shared a shrimp croquette appetizer that had more filler than shrimp. It was a generic, somewhat anonymous, fried "thing". I had the rabbit paella, which was drenched in truffle oil, very greasy and heavy with very little flavor other than the oil. My wife had chicken mole. The chicken was dry; this was surprising because we have never been to a Latin-cuisine restaurant that didn't have delicious, moist chicken. This was a first. In addition, my wife had a glass of wine (big glass, skimpy on the wine) and I had beer. Total bill, with tip: $100. GIven the overall quality, we were not happy. General observation: Mezcla seems to be developing into a very lively neighborhood "hang" -- a place that has a wonderful bar (somewhat loud), friendly people, and mediocre, overpriced food.
(3)
Diane P.
My husband and I had been passing this place for several weeks. It looked very inviting with its large windows and cozy interior. We decided to try it this past Saturday night. And I'm very glad we did! What immediately appealed to me is that they get some of their ingredients from farms upstate New York, and they post on a board which products they get. Chicken was on the list, so I ordered the Pollo Asado. It was absolutely delicious, very flavorful. My husband ordered the duck which they had gotten in the day before. He mopped up the plate. We also ordered the sardines for the appetizer, which were also very good. The red wines by the glass were very smooth(I got the cabernet and my husband got the malbec). The waiter let us taste the wines before he poured our glasses. And the wine was served in large wide-mouthed red wine glasses, which I like. I'm so happy that a place of this caliber is now in my neighborhood. I'm looking forward to going back for the paella.
Soche R.
I had a few great cocktails and light bites at this cool latin bistro. Low key ambience, good background music from what I remember (e.g., whitest boy alive; M83) with friendly & attentive staff. I wouldn't bother with the guacamole...an easy staple but I don't think they got it right. DO try their mushroom tacos, gambas tacos and their grilled shishito peppers w/ smoked paprika...I could eat countless bowls! Try the smoked ginger margarita and then for "dessert" the pina colada mojito. You'll feel like you were transported to an island and the need to slip on your sunglasses. So good. Dreaming about it now.
(4)Jennifer F.
Decided to check out Mezcla on a Sunday morning around 11:30 AM while in need of brunch. Upon arrival we noticed that there were no customers. Unsure if we were just way too early for brunch in NYC or if the restaurant wasn't good, we decided to stay. The place was clean, the decor was cool and fit their theme, and the Latin music set a nice vibe despite the lack of people. We ordered the scrambled egg quesadilla and the huevos rancheros. Both dishes were around $12 which I felt was a fair brunch price and in addition you get a complementary brunch drink which made the deal awesome. Toward the end of taking our order the server repeated back our order and after saying one of them asked if we wanted guacamole with it. We said yes and then when she walked away we wondered if we had just ordered a separate order of guacamole or if it was going to come on our plates as part of our meal (which we had hoped for). We could have asked but we're feeling lazy and just went with it. A few minutes later a large bowl and guacamole arrived with some chips to dip in it. Unfortunately I was not what we had hoped for however being hungry and realizing it was something we could have asked for clarification on we willingly ate it. The avocados were good but overall the guacamole tasted pretty plain as though it was just smashed avocados. I prefer guacamole that has tomato, cilantro, chili, etc to add some flavor. Next our breakfast arrived. They were both really good I thought a good amount of food. As we were eating another couple came in for brunch. They were seated about 2 tables over from us when the entire restaurant was empty besides us. We thought it was kind of strange and that couple ended up politely asking if they could sit elsewhere to give us space (they obviously thought the same as us). For brunch drinks we got a Bloody Mary and and Bloody Maria. Both good and strong. Service was great in the beginning but toward the end we felt a little forgotten about because we were done eating and it took a while for us to have our plates cleared and receive the check. Kind of strange to us to have that delay when there were only two tables of two seated in the restaurant. I think this place has a lot of potential and would recommend it to someone else. I wonder if it's a popular place at other times of the day.
(3)Rob A.
Most of the stars are for the cleanliness and service. This place has a very spacious and indulging decor, and the staff was genuinely friendly. Very nice place to bring a date to. I dropped two stars for the price, taste and quantity of food. I've been here twice and had the steak tacos, conejo al ajillo, skirt steak, Now these items are a bit more on the pricey side and to be honest had a very OKAY taste to it. I've had better for cheaper. Also the portions for the appetizers were very very skimpy, the conejo al ajillo [rabbit] was only three bite size pieces for $10, and the taste was pretty meh. I must give it to the drinks though, I had a specialty drink vodka mixed with grapefruit and it was actually pretty phenomenal! Although with my complaint about the food, I still do recommend this place to try out.
(3)Rena Y.
3.5 Mezcla is a gem on a block that seems to have a paucity of dining options. The vibe is what you might get if you crossed a hipster living in Brooklyn with a LES bartender. The menu is enticing. The dishes on it you've probably seen before, but the particularly iteration of it, likely not. Everything has a Latin twist without it being overpoweringly ethnic. Mezcla has the best Bloody Mary in the city. Go with the version they refer to as "Bloody Maria". Don't be scared by what they call this drink. It's a smoky, well-balanced Bloody Mary with ample acid and spices. No one has been killed or maimed in the making of this drink. (At least I would hope so.) A lot of variety in types of seating. Benches, dining tables, high tops and bar seating. You have all the options here. I'll be back. Tips: Known for the delicious and funky egg Benedicts Desserts are a must. Your brunch comes with a free cocktail. The "Bloody Maria" and peach based drinks are great.
(3)Shannon G.
Stumbled upon this place tonight with a girlfriend and had a great experience. We had drinks at the bar, so I can't speak to the food. The bartender was friendly and the drinks are well-priced for New York. We just missed happy hour but will definitely be back to try the food. A great option on a block with not many options!
(4)Karina F.
Overall, cute interior but food is just okay for a high price and service a bit slow. RECOMMEND Gambas al ajillo - 5 large shrimps in delicious garlic sauce for $14 Skirt steak - served with delicious sides for $22, likely 10oz piece DO NOT RECOMMEND Pulpo a la plancha - only 3 tentacles for $10 but super tender Paella Carne - not made in paella pan so not crispy at all. huge portion for $20 and easily can feed 3 persons including the meat but nothing special. Hisbiscus Margarita $13, watered down, nothing special
(3)Nelson W.
This is my first ever Yelp review. I can't resist not writing one because this place is TOO AWESOME! I had their Marinated Steak and Eggs, pasture raised churrasco steak, farm-fresh eggs served with garlic, scallion, cheese potato au gratin. This place has two farms in upstate NY where it gets most of its ingredients (beef, chicken, pork, eggs and even rabbits, etc). The steak and egg was really good, especially the scrambled eggs were very smooth! Ask for their homemade hot sauce because it was so good! The ambience was nice and cozy. The servers were all very friendly. I love going to eat during non-peak hours because it's quiet and I could enjoy and have nice conversations with the people there. This time I met their General Manager Fernando, who's really nice and friendly. He actually made an order of their quarter Pollo Asado with rice and beans for me to take home FOR FREE after I told him that I wanted to try their roast chicken but it wasn't on their lunch menu. Easily one of the best restaurants I have been to in NYC and one of the best dining experiences I have ever had. You really don't expect this type of great customer service in New York! I would have given it 6 stars if it's possible.
(5)Harue J.
We had several tapas dishes that dominated the menu, which were all very good. The octopus was so tender, and so was the rabbit, the mushrooms had fabulous intense flavors, patatas bravas was ok, and the chorizo was three very thin slices on thin baguette - nothing special. Tapas dishes are smaller than most other restaurants in nyc - good for 2 ppl to share. Seafood paella was a huge disappointment for me. It just didn't taste like paella at all. It was so tomato-y and had no flavors of seafood broth in the rice (dish came out very fast). Sangria was not as good as other places'. It wasn't too sweet (good) but flavors were not so well-blended, and the pitcher was on the small size w/ a lot of ice. Decor is very nice. However, it is all hard surfaces that bounce the noise all around. Tin ceilings, hard floors, brick walls, hard furniture with nothing to absorb sound. You can be sitting by the front door and can still hear the hinges of the kitchen door squeaking that echoes all around, and bus boys tossing the flatware or stacking up the dishes, and ppl's conversations several tables away. Also there's a draft between the brick walls and the windows along the bench facing 2nd Avenue. I was freezing. We'd stick with certain tapas dishes and avoid some. Perhaps during the week when noise bouncing is less overwhelming.
(3)Jason R.
Begin the night with five stars. Adorable place with great potential...until you walk in. Let's set some expectations: If you make a reservation, expect to wait at the bar for 30 minutes. Though it was a Friday night, there were several open tables when we arrived. The table selected for us was still occupied, so we waited for those patrons to finish and pay. -1 star A past life in food service showed that sometimes there is a method to the madness of seating. There is still hope for a successful birthday dinner tonight. Once seated, expect to ask for a menu. Then ask for a cocktail menu. (Side note: tell them you are deathly allergic to avocado and then less than two minutes later... receive guacamole on the house due to lack of service. Ominous.) -1 After presentation of the cocktail menu, expect to wait 20 minutes until asking for water. And a food menu (again). And a waiter. -1 The drinks were great. Highly recommend the sweet heat and habanero margaritas. The tequila shots could easily be confused for water glasses. +1 Once the food was ordered, it arrived fairly quickly. Queso fundido, shrimp croquettes, tacos al pastor and tuna tartare were all enjoyable and served at perfect temperature. Later in the meal, we asked for the queso to be reheated and were given a whole new skillet. +1. Expect one waiter check-in during your meal. And, if you're celebrating a special occasion, go elsewhere. The birthday cake slice provided (not complimentary, but ok) was very good, no doubt. But one gets the impression that the enthusiastic delivery is performed in hopes of saving the night. -1 Expect to be told that no manager is available and given a card with no helpful contact information. -1 I hope our experience was unique based on the otherwise positive reviews that lead us here. I would come back at a different time to sample the promising happy hour specials or to have a weekend brunch.
(2)jeannette r.
My experience at Mezcla was a great one. We sat at the bar and had a few cocktails that were amazing. The bartender Tommy was nice and knowledgable of the menu and made great drinks. The food was delicious and the staff was very attentive. We had many different appetizers including the grilled octupus, gambas and grilled peppers. All which we ordered twice they were so good. I can't wait to go back.
(5)J. Carlos R.
Amazing Place!! Service was welcoming and outstanding. From the manager to the bussers, they took great care of my date and me. Beautiful ambiance. Wine selection was nice, server walked us through and were very happy with what we chose. Incredible guacamole. One of the best I've had in the city. Very interesting taco selection, but we saved them for another night. I elected to go with a fantastic special prefix that was only available that evening. Very, very impressive. All courses were remarkably delicious. Seared octopus as the starter was splendid. Local farm beef was perfectly cooked and extraordinary. Phenomenal dessert. I most definitely will be back. I highly recommend!!
(5)Lauren B.
Mezcla started showing signs of promise right away. The big wooden doors and gold lettering in the window made me eager to try it. Try it I did, since our neighborhood is desperately in need of some new blood. I went the first Saturday it was open, real jazzed up about trying all it had to offer. My friend JAK and I went in around 6PM. We sat at the bar, and I was surprised to see that most tables were already filling up. We ordered the Sangria, which looked super dark, but was really tasty, light and very refreshing. Excellent summery sangria. Winning! Plus, the space is well appointed, with wood, metal, exposed bulbs. Actually a fairly classic "modern-vintage" vibe so many places are using as their decor these days. We decided to try some appetizers (I believe it was listed as Tapas on the menu) to go with our delicious drink. We ordered the Rock Shrimp Croquettes (Serrano ham, watercress, red chile mustard on the side). This was such a weird dish. It was basically fried cheese. And some ham. There was almost zero shrimp in there. And while I love fried anything, especially cheese, this just wasn't what I thought I was getting, which was both disappointing and frustrating. I wanted to taste shrimp! It's summer! Shrimp is listed as a main ingredient! But we thought we might as well try some more things, since we all know not every dish can be a winner. We tried the...watercress dip? It's not on any online menu. It was the same as spinach artichoke dip. All warm and gooey and came with tortillas on the side. But only came with three tortillas, which makes sharing hard. We asked for more though and they were happy to accommodate us. I really liked this dish. It was light and fresh, interesting and a fun new take on a classic. I would order this again. We continued to try different drinks at the bar, the bartender was friendly and inviting, he made us different things off the menu and split them into two glasses so we could try everything. The margaritas were the home run of the night. Other drinks were too heavy, like the Manzahattan. It's an old fashioned, but a little too smokey for my liking and much too heavy for summer. It basically tasted like... rye. If I want rye on the rocks, I'll go ahead and order that. This had very little flavor other than the smokey aftertaste...le sigh. The bartender did make us a few drinks that were off the menu, which were really good. He should really think about creating his own cocktail menu and throwing the current one away. Once the others in our party arrived, we sat for dinner. Our table of four shared two orders of the pork belly taco tapas option. Don't bother ordering this. The taco was soft but so dense, thick and heavy it ruined the rest of the dish. There wasn't enough pork belly in the world to make that taco less offensive. Pass. We also shared the Guacamole, which was tasty, classic and fresh. My friend JAK and I split the Rabbit Paella (alborio rice, wild mushrooms, green asparagus, cotija cheese, truffle oil) as an entree and it was pretty good. It was more like a rabbit risotto, but it sure helped sop up all the beverages we consumed at the bar. I wasn't thrilled with this dish, but it really wasn't bad either. I do think the prices were a bit high, but the quality is there, even if the flavors are not. This new neighborhood joint is brought to you by the owners of Posto across the street, which boasts some of my favorite pizza. I was surprised this place wasn't better, but I will give it another chance, because they probably have a lot of kinks to work out, being that it only opened this past week.
(3)Jose H.
Great place, first time here and my server Armando was so friendly and professional I tried the Ceviche Ecuatoriano and I loved it definitely ill come back for more .. !!!
(5)Josie J.
I got sick right after eating their food. They should shut down their delivery service or revamp it. Food took more than an hour to be delivered. When I called the restaurant to ask about the status of my order I was told by the general manager that they were waiting for their delivery boy to come back, that he would himself deliver my order, that it would be fast and it would not be cold, that it was going to be out of the kitchen in a minute. Food got here 10 min later, but cold, mushy, and seafood had bad texture and smell. $33 down in the drain... I only gave 1 star because I cannot give zero star. Our experience in the restaurant was completely different: food was fresh, hot, good and service was good. That one was a 5 star.
(1)Bernie H.
I love this place. I went twice in one weekend. The food was perfect both times, and the service was good as well. My boyfriend and I even got free cocktails on Friday night :). Very reasonably priced as well.
(5)Lucy C.
I thought I reviewed this place a while ago but I guess I forgot. The entire meal was pretty unmemorable. The guac wasn't fantastic, nor were the entrees. I definitely would not go as far as to say the food or drinks were bad but I wouldn't come back. I do like that they tried to diversify an area that literally no finer dining though--good look & feel and pretty plating.
(3)Halley M.
Visited Mezcla this weekend while craving some tacos! We were on our way to the East Village for Mexican there but were tempted into Mezcla by their paella special on Sundays and Mondays. The board suggested a free paella when you order a bottle of wine, or two drinks, or a pitcher of sangria, or a pitcher of beer, all of which would make sense for 2 people when you consider paella is usually a dish for sharing.Turns out they expected each person to fulfill the drink requirement, i.e. 1 bottle of wine/person, in order to qualify. Seemed a little excessive for a Sunday night. The owner/manager put up a little fuss when we wanted to order paella and 1 drink for each of us (2 people) but luckily the waiter pulled through and we got a great deal. On to the food... we had the meat and seafood paella, tasty, plenty to share for 2 people. We also had the chips and guac (good, fresh), plus two sets of tacos (bbq- amazing, like a short rib, and surf and turf- also great, with a nice spicy aioli), plus said paella. Honestly the tacos were the highlight! Drinks: boyfriend had a spicy margarita that he liked, I had a pineapple mojito. Overall liked the decor and interior, felt like the neighborhood could be taking a step in the right direction, and wording of the special aside, a decent spot for dinner!
(4)Laura L.
Went for dinner with my son, the service was great. Everyone was so friendly and courteous. Dinner was phenomenal. We started our meal with guacamole, it was fresh and the chips were crispy. I, then had the garlic shrimp and BBQ pork tacos! Everything was exceptional. We left happy and full. I'd definitely come back with friends or family.
(5)Chicharito G.
Excellent plece. With excellent food is nice moments together with family and friends.. Very soon he will enjoy these paellas delights... Thanks. Mezcla
(5)Chelsea P.
We had a great dinner last night - guacamole to start and salmon tacos and the pork chop. Yum!
(5)Abraham C.
I have been here a few times, my girlfriend is in the neighborhood and it has become one of her favorite spots.. The atmosphere is super nice, the decor is just right, and the service has been excellent every single time.... Gambassss, you gotta try the gambas al ajillo which are the best I've tried, EVER. For entrees, I have gotten the rotisserie chicken which is pretty cheap for the amount you get, & you also have the option to get a full chicken.. Churrasco skirt steak- perfectly cooked for 3rd time in a row. I gotta give it to them. & last but not least, THE FLAN & CHURROS... perfect way to finish our dinner... I have tried A LOT of flans, and it definitely is one of my favorites in the city... & great drinks selection Overall a great place.
(5)james m.
Armando makes a superior drink Very high quality and tasty The habernita should be a best of new York cocktail
(4)Melanie A.
Unique and great atmosphere. The sesame crusted seared tuna Cobb was delicious. Spicy and light at the same time. Huevos Rancheros were great as well. Very authentic and delicious. They brought out their homemade hot sauce which hit the spot and pulled the dish together. 2 drinks included with brunch? Yes, please!
(5)Cecil C.
So I came here to eat last night and I just had to write a review for it. As soon as we came in the door I had a good feeling about it the place. I had read recent review first and had some doubts but then I remembered that this is yelp!! We walked in and the hostess was very nice and friendly. Great start as she sat us and even accommodated when we asked for a different table. The music and the vibe was great. You can't go wrong with the Beatles mixed with some Latin and modern stuff. Then we were tended too by a young man that gave us a clear explanation of any dish we asked about. He recommended a spicy mojito and a pineapple margarita. Delicious!! We ordered some gambas Al ajillo, veggie tacos, and sautéed mushrooms. All were very good. We then ordered a seafood paella and by recommendation of the waiter I had a parillada, which is a platter of grilled meats from their farm. It wasn't on the menu but the Chef was gracious enough to make it for us.It had smoked brisket, sirloin, sausage link, onions, chicken liver pate, potatoes and some sauces. Wow. Ridiculously delicious and perfectly cooked meats. I had some to take home because I really didn't think it would be that much food. Great value! Great flavors and quality of food and drinks! Great service! They know what they're doing but as usual the really great places go unnoticed for a while. We will be coming back and I will be recommending to friends. Good friendly staff and great food with great value. A true Gem.
(5)Nitin R.
Vegetarian Review I want to give this place 4 stars but I just can't. Overall, it's a nice space with good ambiance, and kind servers. However, I review based largely on the quality of the food relative to price and it's slightly above average - 3.5 stars at best. If you eat here you won't leave disappointed because the food is good. It's just not great. The quality of the ingredients are reasonable but not the best. For example, they use cremeni mushrooms in their tacos and other dishes which are generally lower grade versus say portobello or shiitake. The favor is of the food is good but not exceptional. We tried the peppers in the tapas which were OK but didn't have any especially great taste. The paella was good but didn't leave me wowed. Similarly the cocktails for $13 are not special. Good but not great. I would be surprised if you ordered more than 1 of these. Contrary to what other reviewers have written the menu isn't 'inventive' at all, it's just varied. That is they have Spanish tapas, tacos, guacamole and paella. I find that strange because it's unfocused and likely contributes to mediocrity. Others may like the variety. This area needs a reasonably good restaurant which is why I think it will survive. If you want really great food though at similar price head down below 14th street.
(3)Rochelle S.
Wonderful food! Was very pleased with the tacos, extremely fresh and delicious!! The service was great, extremely attentive. Lastly, dessert was amazing. Can't wait to come back. Glad to have a great place in the neighborhood!
(5)Jose C.
Visited on a Sunday evening while looking to unwind. This place has an amazing ambiance, the background music, the decor and the friendly faces made for a very enjoyable evening. The tapas were excellent and the IPA beer was just the way God intended it to be ;) We were welcomed by the bartender, Abraham, who immediately made us feel at home. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Jon Q.
Went here twice. Once for drinks and Guac/chips, and was very underwhelmed. Really do themselves a disservice with the Guac because the rest of the menu looks fantastic. The second time we went for brunch, and I came away surprised how much better my experience was. Cava mimosa was unspectacular but good. But the banana brioche French toast and chorizo side were amazing. Singlehandedly changed my mind about this place.
(4)Sharon B.
Made reservations for 7:30 on a Saturday evening. We arrived and were seated iimmediately. Everyone from the hostess to the waiter were all so friendly and attentive to everyone. A huge plus in my book! We started with a few cocktails - The red sangria reminded my cousin of the sangria he drinks at home in Madrid! that's a pretty big comparison! He loved it. I had several glasses of this sweet, smooth Cava and my husband tried a gin&tonic that was made with this wonderful gin from Holland! The drinks were definitely not small at this restaurant! Well served glasses! We enjoyed several Tapas - Shrimp in Garlic, Guacamole, Patatas Bravas ( fried potatoes.. a classic in Spain), Sauteed Mushrooms and an order of the Ropa Vieja tacos (the meat was so sweetly seasoned..we could have kept ordering tacos all night!) Everything was amazing and well priced for the serving portions. For dinner we decided to order 2 paellas and share amongst the 3 of us. The Vegetarian version, filled with the freshest veggies ( when they say "farm to table", they certainly are not exaggerating!) and the Valenciiana with mussels, shrimp, chorizo and chicken. The rice in the paellas was beautifully seaasoned..There was actually leftovers and I grabbed the bag to take home for lunch! For dessert we tried the churros with melted chocolate ( holy moly! delicious!) and the Tres Leches and Flan. I'm not a fan of Flan, but this version has changed my opinion! It went well with the coffee! ( of course, I had to have some Mexican Coffee Liqueur in my cup! The waiter came by the table with the bottle and I said "yes, please!") My only regret is that I couldn't try everything, but that means we will go back again soon for another wonderful evening. We were not rushed and the staff were definitely a great part of our night.
(5)Cat P.
This is a great delicious brunch spot!! Took my fiancée out here and we really enjoyed ourselves. Great food great service. Ambiance is relaxed and chilled out they way we like it. The hot sauce is so good we had to buy it!!! Tres Fuegos is my favorite!! Will definitely come back for more brunches!!
(5)Gale A.
MEZCLA Gramercy rocks!!! I had lunch there today for a birthday celebration with friends. OMG!!! Run, do not walk... Chef Fernando Marulanda and his team create magic in the kitchen - all the way from their farm in Millbrook, NY. From the moment I walked through the front door, the team (front/back of house) was in full swing and the vibe/space was unparalleled. The staff was so lovely and the atmosphere and décor are terrific! Creative, wonderful food and exceptional wines and sherry. Check out the Smoked Brisket Torta Sandwich with Sweet Potato Chips... Amazing! I had the Salmon Tacos with red cabbage and habanero caramel - great flavor! The food and presentation is an entire conversation and way too much to write about here - you just want to order everything on the menu! Just wait until you try the guacamole and chips and the farm-raised chicken with mole sauce/rice and beans... head on over and see for yourself. It certainly will be hard for me and my neighbors to stay away from MEZCLA. Oh, one more thing, they have Happy Hours every day during the week from 4-7pm and a special tapas menu. Enjoy!!!! We welcome MEZCLA to the Gramercy neighborhood and look forward to many, many more visits. PS. I am a classically trained culinary school grad and have a deep appreciation for food and what it takes to source it, prep and prepare food and create an extraordinary experience for the guest. Picky, yes...
(5)Rachel H.
Came in on a quiet Wednesday evening and immediately the atmosphere felt relaxed and welcoming. Our server was very attentive throughout the meal, as was the rest of the staff. My husband ordered a cider and was brought a sample immediately. The food was really good. I tried to keep it light, ordering a salad, and sharing a couple apps (amazing patatas bravas), while my husband ordered the skirt steak and was brought a huge portion. He seemed very happy. A couple next to us ordered the paella and it smelled and looked so wonderful that I know next time to order a salad -and- paella. Delicious!
(5)David J.
We live nearby, and have come back a couple of times. We like the inventive menu, and the service is always very nice and personable. If you like spicy, try some of the hot sauce that the cooks make for themselves in the kitchen. T here aren't many restaurants on this part of Second Avenue, so the good ones should be supported, right?
(4)Mo J.
New spot opened up in the area. Looking in through the window it seemed like it would have a great vibe -- nice decor, cool setup, full bar. We went with a group of 8 on a Saturday and the place for fairly empty. Not a great sign. Specialty cocktails were just ok. Switched to traditional vodka drinks fairly quickly. The food took forever. We waited over an hour for apps and another hour for dinner. Again, the place was empty. Once we got food it fell pretty short. Not terrible but nothing special. We chalked this up the growing pains. The spot was fairly new and it could've been an off night. The staff was pretty nice too and constantly checked up on us.
(3)Charlotte R.
The service was terrible. We had stale chips, over the hill guacamole, we asked for corn tortillas and got flour tortillas so they had to remake them. When they were remade they forgot the avocado on the tacos and then once asked they brought us 3 slices of avocado for two plates of tacos (6 tacos). It took them forever to get the check and they offered no compensation for their many mistakes.
(1)G L.
Good brunch specials that come with a complimentary cocktail. $10-$18 (?) per entree. Bloody Maria has just enough spice and is yum. The Huevos rancheros and Spanish Benedict were pretty good, nothing amazing. We actually liked the desserts better than the entrees. The flan is thick and creamy:) and the tres leches is yummy as well. Service was very friendly. Will be coming back for brunches in the future!
(4)David B.
Some friends had a celebration at MEZCLA last week.... They had a great dinner..!!! I must go back,,,!!,
(4)Queen B.
I have been to mezcla a couple of times. The service is good and the food is great. Even recommended my family and friends to come check it out. While we was there we order the guacamole, the shrimp tacos, the roasted chicken with rice and bean and the gambas al ajillo. The food there is awesome and the drinks are great. I wouldn't mine stopping in for brunch and dinner day to day
(3)Carlyn B.
This is my favorite neighborhood place. We have gotten to know some of the staff and they greet us each time we return. The drinks are delicious and the food is even better! Highly recommend!
(5)Frank S.
My buddy and I tried this place today for the first time today and we were both extremely unimpressed. We live right around the corner and we were really looking forward to this place being a go to spot. Sadly, the only reason I gave this 3 stars was because the service was great as the staff was very nice and welcoming (granted it wasn't too busy) so they could be extra attentive. The atmosphere was pretty nice too. Other than that I felt the prices were way too high for everything but the entrees (though I usually don't mind small portions if the food is excellent) but none of the dishes were really that good. From our first dish (guacamole) the chips had that chewy staleness and the guac was heavy on the salt. I had the croquettes next which were ok for a couple bites but too rich and heavy and the sauce they came with was mediocre. My buddy had a salad and was also unimpressed. We finished with the octopus which in my opinion was so boring, a little chewy and fishy tasting that we left about 1/4 of it left on the plate when we left even though we we're both still hungry! Maybe these are just a growing pains as it just opened but def not a good start. I definitely won't back anytime soon especially with the wealth of great options out there and more opening all the time. P.s. It also took the place of one of Gramercy's oldest and best Italian joints, Cappucines.
(3)Smoove B.
UPDATE: They seem to have gotten their act together. Below is a shortened version of my complaints from my second trip there: ///I went there with my girlfriend about two days after it opened, and it was great. Food, service, atmosphere, everything. Then we went again a week or two later. Clearly, whoever makes that place run smoothly had taken the night off. I'll divide this review into Week 1 vs. Week 2. Guacamole: Week 1: Chips were perfect, well presented, guac itself was excellent. Week 2: Guac was still just as good but the chips were thin, undercooked and greasy, and there weren't enough (edible?) chips to eat all the guac. Rabbit Paella: Week 1: My girlfriend raved about it. Week 2: monochromatic, bland, and way too much chorizo. Also, this was clearly risotto, not paella. Tres Leches: Week 1: Great. Top 3 tres leches(es?) ever, in my book. Week 2: Smaller. Also, it was dry for what it was supposed to be. There were a maximum of dos leches in there. Drinks: Week 1: Margaritas (regular and watermelon) were great. Tasted like what they were supposed to taste like, plenty of booze but not "oh, it's your 21st birthday?!?!? UH-OH!!" levels, and not loaded down with "margarita mix" or syrupy junk. Week 2: Wine. My malbec was good, but my girlfriend's rose was oxidized. Service: Week 1: We were both shocked at how smoothly everything went, considering they had only been open for 2 or 3 days. Week 2: The waitress was perfectly nice but stuff took forever to come. Also, once we got our entrees, she got progressively harder to track down. I could tell that they knew they weren't having a good night. The hostess, and someone who appeared to be a manager, were sort of apologetic on the way out. We live around here and are emotionally invested in this place because we want a latin restaurant in our neighborhood that isn't 10 blocks south and swarming with drunk NYU kids. Restaurants can be a hot mess right after they open, I get it, and I'm sympathetic. So we'll be back, and I'd be more than happy to update this review and bump it up to the 4 or 5 stars I'd have given it if I had based this review on week 1 alone. But it's obvious that someone on staff makes that place run smoothly, and that person is either not allowed to have a personal life for the next 6 months, or needs to find someone who they're confident can run the show in their absence and not let it completely fall apart./// THE UPDATE: I have been there a few times since. Things seem much better. The rabbit paella is gone and replaced with a veggie paella that's actually paella. Drinks were excellent. Chips tasted home made, as they should for a restaurant of this price. Dessert was top notch. I tried the skirt steak and it was perfectly cooked with a creative but still distinctly Latin flavor. The service was on the ball every time. Hopefully this is the new standard and not just a series of flukes. I think it's safe to say this place is ready for prime time and I'm looking forward to it becoming a neighborhood staple.
(4)Phil C.
My wife and I came for dinner just 5 days after the restaurant opened. The staff was very friendly and eager to please. We ordered a pitcher of sangria and the first thought was that it was a small pitcher for the price. But it wasn't stuffed with ice and fruit so really it was more sangria than the 2 of us would have wanted We shared the Patatas Bravas Con Pulpo (crispy battered purple potato, charred octopus, saffron emulsion, jalapeño, peanut pesto) and were very impressed with the tenderness of the octopus and the interesting fusion flavors. My wife's entree was the Local Farm Raised Rotisserie Chicken w/black beans & rice, small house salad, mole sauces. She thought the flavor was amazing (some Moroccan influence there) but maybe it could have been cooked a little bit longer. I had the Seafood Fideu Paella (toasted fideo, mussels, grilled octopus, shrimp, roasted tomato sofrito) and I absolutely loved it! Not a huge portion as Paella often is but certainly enough. We closed out the meal with Tres Leches recommended by Eddie, the manager. He was right.... it was a winner! Eddie took the time to explain to me about their Farm-to-Table efforts growing many of the foods they serve at local farms on Long Island. They also deal with small local sources for other ingredients which I applaud. The noise level was a bit toward loud but not so loud that we couldn't talk. I think given the place opened on Monday and it was this full on Friday speaks well of this newcomer to the neighborhood.
(4)Deborah P.
This place has everything it needs to be a success. A good menu, fresh ingredients and a great location. But what good is a $35 cut of prime beef is it arrives well done when you ordered it medium rare? The waiters mean well but they are poorly trained and the food takes a long time to come out of the kitchen so the waiters make themselves scarce. Worst of all the $18 glass of Manzanilla fino was off from probably sitting around for a long time. Anybody home in management?
(2)Melissa U.
Mezcla is a nice addition to Gramercy with reasonable prices and a warm atmosphere. I was greeted by a friendly and excited staff which is always appreciated. I had the guacamole - fresh and extra spicy (as requested) followed by the pulpo (octopus) which was super tender and came with perfectly fried blue potatoes. My friend ordered the rabbit paella - very tender and nicely presented. I had the pork belly puffy tacos, although flavorful, were lacking some spice and acidity (a few tweaks would make it perfect. The wine and cocktail menu is extensive and includes some organic options. I will definitely return!
(4)Ross C.
Pleasantly surprised. What a gem! Far exceeded expectations. We came for brunch and were delighted by everything. First, it's a good deal. It comes with both a non-alcoholic drink- my fresh OJ was good and my coffee fiend of a girlfriend devoured her coffee-- plus a choice of alcoholic beverage, which are far better than the standard fare. My coconut mojito was out of this world good and she quite enjoyed her berry mojito. I had the apple cinnamon pancakes and a side of scrambled eggs, both delicious. She had the Mezcla Omelette with chorizo and cheese and it did not disappoint. All of the above and the check was under $35, not too bad for all that in NY. I considered dropping a star because we had to wait a very long time to order--so long that we nearly walked out--but we're so glad we didn't. Extremely satisfying meal. We'll be back.
(5)Sarah D.
What a great little place to eat. My group and I went for lunch and the staff were so nice and welcoming. The food was also very delicious. I would recommend this to anyone who wanted good Latin American cuisine. Over all amazing!
(5)E B.
Mezcla is a really cute spot with a good menu and great drink options. It wasn't very crowded on a Saturday night, but the service still left a lot to be desired (hard to get their attention, a bunch of mistakes), though they did attempt to make up for it with some free items which is always appreciated. Guacamole is meh (can't really go wrong...), sauteed shrimp appetizer was great, and the tacos were all delicious and very well-priced. Drinks are a bit expensive ($13) but not surprising...they're ok, nothing to complain about or write home about. Would likely go back, but don't expect to be wowed.
(3)Justine T.
Great food, good atmosphere, the service was awesome. The chef sent us comped taco's to try! The sangria was delicious. I would totally come back here, I loved it.
(5)Christine Y.
Great food, friendly and prompt service. Highly recommend!
(5)douglas h.
Ambiance ok. Staff ok. Vegetarian/pescatarian selection eh. Food had no heat in it. Guacamole bland. Only saving grace was the dessert. Hibiscus drink ok. No more cider being offered on the menu. I have nothing bad to say. Just unremarkable. Wouldn't go back.
(2)David R.
Don't bother - we just order 2 orders of tacos and the beet salad. The beet salad was basically 4 spoonfuls of beets, fennel, etc. For $12. Are you kidding me? We thought it couldn't be right so we called and they sent another one. Same thing - ridiculous. And the tacos were dry, no sauce included. From the other reviews, I'm thinking maybe we had a bad night. But I will not be trying it again -
(1)Melissa L.
I came here to celebrate my birthday with a group and we had a wonderful time. The staff was incredibly attentive, thoughtful, and accomodating. The food and drinks were delicious. They have the best Tres Leches cake I have ever had in my life. Will definitely be going back soon!
(5)star y.
I have eaten here twice for lunch during the week and have had the same experience both times. The food is good but the portions are small. But the reason I gave them two stars is both times they never came around to refill our waters, and both times I had to get up and approach the counter to ask for the check, and walk the check back to the counter, because the server never came around and was oblivious behind the bar and we could not get his attention for the longest time. I think it's nice that they don't make you feel rushed but at the same time - it's lunchtime during the week in NYC, not a Saturday morning leisurely brunch. Everyone has to hustle back to work. If they refilled our waters and were attentive to our needs, i would probably have overlooked the small portions!!
(2)Eric E.
We had a great experience. My girlfriend and I went for happy hour drinks and tapas. The mojitos were the best I've had in the city! Plus, having sugar cane to chew on makes everything better. The pan con tomate and cod fritters were delicious (if a little small, but at $5, it's still good.) the service was attentive but not overbearing.
(5)Clara H.
Came in for lunch on a weekday. Good food and a good selection. $10 lunch special is also a plus. The staff was also extremely nice and a pleasure to deal with. Would definitely return.
(4)mitchell k.
They will be out of business soon. Pass.
(2)Marie A.
Was excited to try this place but it didn't meet or exceed my expectations. The guacamole tasted like it was made with lemons and the sangria wasn't fruity at all it had a bite that made my friend unable to drink her glass. The potatas bravas were simply fried potatoes (with no sauce). My chicken tacos were fine but too much of the meal wasn't.
(2)Leigh D.
If I could give this place zero stars I would! Worst meal I have EVER eaten in New York City or maybe even anywhere! When we were seated the waitress look her sweet ass time to come over to our table and never greeted us. We ordered three tapas and they were all inedible. The plantain fritter was so over fried it was gummy and hard to chew. The pork belly taco had a homemade hard taco shell that looked good but was thick and stale. Also very hard to chew. The ceviche taste old and was sitting on a bland tostone. All in all the food had absolutely no seasoning and the drinks were watered down. I don't see this place lasting long!
(1)Nick H.
Went here for a quick bite with my girlfriend. Mezcla happens to be right around the block from me and we were looking forward to checking it out. As others have noted, the place looks great and the staff is friendly. That's the good news. We ordered two drinks-- the hibiscus margarita and the old fashioned española, as well as some pastor tacos to share. The staff appeared mystified about the cocktails, and eventually (after the food had arrived!) brought over the drinks, one of which was completely wrong (a regular margarita instead of the old fashioned). Obviously mistakes happen, so it wasn't a big deal. We notified the waiter, who eventually (after we had finished eating) brought over a drink that was basically a bourbon and soda. My girlfriend's hibiscus margarita tasted like tequila and hibiscus-- not a lot of margarita flavor there. So as for the tacos, they were completely underwhelming. I have never been served tacos that were served on cold tortillas-- these tortillas tasted as if they were fresh from the fridge. The meat was okay, but lukewarm and not super flavorful. The sauce that came on the side tasted like nothing-- honestly we could not figure out what it was supposed to be. I should also mention that we were the only people there the entire time. We left with the feeling that this is a cute spot in a great location, but that we had just spent $40 on pretty much nothing. A big waste of money, and I will definitely not be going back.
(1)Karen v.
Have now been here several times and it is a great neighborhood find. The wine is great and they give a nice healthy pour. I have now had several dishes here...we split the skirt steak most recently and it was fabulous perfectly cooked to order and surrounded by lovely spices and vegetables. We have also had the pork chop and fish tacos all of which are out of this world. The service is on par with the food - really great.
(4)Fm L.
So I came here a few weeks ago and we really liked this place. It seemed that no one had paid attention to it. We tried getting in a week ago and it was packed to the brim on a Friday night. We went somewhere else but decided to come back again. This time on a week day. We saw that they changed the menu a little and I hope this is not an every day thing because I usually like to come back for certain dishes. We had Veggie Tacos and Shrimp Tacos. Mine were as starters. I then moved on to a steak special they had and she had some tapas which are all night it seems on Sundays and Mondays. The service was still very good and the what we ate was just delicious!! There was a good crowd in there with various age groups and the crowd didn't seem as pretentious as when we first came. We shared a dessert and a double espresso to top everything off. I forgot to mention that we had a couple of cocktails that were totally something different that other places. We had a coconut mojito and a berry mojito. Both were delicious. I still like this place. It makes a statement without being over the top. We see that it has very spanish and latin influences but it doesnt have to have a pinata hanging or the servers wearing guayaberas. Its just good straight food with great flavors and service. The place is warm all around..even the music rocks. This is on my top 10 list. Hope they don't change.
(5)K D.
A very nice new spot in a neighborhood with slim pickings when it comes to tasty food, cool attitudeless scenes, and sexy drinks... Mezcla has all of the right ingredients to be the chill, non-scene place to equally bring your family, date, or toy mate of the week... I've been here several times since it opened last year. Even though it has been through some false starts and brainstorming, it's a great relief that this place seems to be getting it together to be the non-scene cool spot where food, drinks/wine, service, and vibe work together to bring you back... One thing, Mezcla crew, keep the music beats sexy-soft-loungey!
(4)S M.
Go here! This is sophisticated Mexican/Latin food. Had simple chicken tacos that were incredible, fresh, full of complex flavors-- delicious! I don't even know what all was in there but they were smokey, then the onion was citrusy, then the cilantro--- yum. Also quite cheap! The restaurant space is clean, simple, elegant and great music!
(5)Nanda B.
We went here for dinner the other night. My quick points review: - Staff and service were good - I really enjoyed their Manzanilla (we had recently been in Spain so it brought back memories) - Patatas bravas (Spanish dish) was good - Steak was a little fatty (granted it's not Peter Luger's) I really enjoyed the vegetables served with the steak - Also tried the Kale salad (not bad) // the habanero cocktail was good too - they should heat up the chocolate that comes with the churros they're still new'ish so still working out some kinks but hopefully they figure it out; the place has potential if you're familiar with the gruppo/posto restaurants this is the same ownership and the quality there is always consistent
(3)Mike S.
Mezcla is off to a good start, I visited for the first time the other week and found several dishes genuinely interesting. Some of the items were hit or miss and the service, while attentive, was certainly still finding its rhythm. The prices are reasonable, you get a big portion however it will probably prohibit some from repeat visits beyond here or there.
(4)Sarah C.
I have now been to Mezcla twice and after the most recent dinner with my fiancee I was prompted to write my first review after having the an amazing date night. Mezcla has been excellent both times I have been here. The shrimp in garlic sauce is amazing, one of my favorite dishes ever, additionally I loved the mushrooms and the ropa vieja. Nothing makes me happier then delicious margs, good guac and tasty small plates, this restaurant delivers on all three with good service and a nice ambiance. This is a great restaurant for a date night or a dinner with friends. Mezcla is a refreshing new restaurant to the neighborhood!
(5)Carlos D.
Came here the other night for happy hour and eventually dinner with 2 friends. we all agreed the margaritas and guac were on point. the gambas and pollo taquitos were also very good. for dinner i had the skirt steak and it was absolutely delicious! the service was fast and friendly. would definitely come here again!
(5)Brittany D.
Excellent service, excellent food. The staff is so pleasant, the atmosphere is great and the amount of food to choose from is wonderful. Very high quality tapas and entrees. We didn't have one thing that we didn't like and we tried A LOT of stuff. Get the flan!! It's the absolute best!!!
(5)Dawn P.
Went on a whim for a late Saturday lunch and we were blown away. This place is everything you could want in a restaurant. Everything was fresh and delicious, plated perfectly and delivered in a timely fashion by our helpful and friendly (yet not invasive) server. We split the guacamole, beet salad and roasted veg quesadilla and the only way i can describe this meal is that it was special. And these are pretty staple menu items I've had a hundred times, so for them to be so well crafted is very impressive. The ingredients listed from a local farm up on the board help to understand why everything tastes so fresh, and we had no intention of getting dessert (in fact I had bought us a piece of.pie at the farmer's market we chose to skip because we were certain the desserts would be worth trying)... but a scoop of rum raisin and decadent tres leche with an espresso later.... we are 2 satisfied customers to say the least. (Seriously don't miss the rum raisin... this underdog on the desert menu is award worthy here.) A comfortable, warm environment and an owner who clearly cares seal the deal. Thank you Francesco, we will be back for sure very soon!
(5)Hanna D.
My husband and I tried this lovely new place in our neighborhood for dinner a few days ago - it's off to a great start! The manager came by our table and encouraged us to try something we wouldn't ordinarily order and promised that if we didn't like it, he'd take it off our bill. We were intrigued and ordered the nopales - oven baked cactus in red chile with cheese. It was delicious, and turned out to be our favorite dish of the night. I really appreciated their enthusiasm and am so glad we tried the nopales - we'll go back especially for that. Mezcla's space is very nicely laid out. It has a bar/high tables area that will be perfect for wine and snacks with friends and then it also has seats for a full meal. I think the prices are right for the area, and I found the portions appropriate. The service was very friendly, and while there were a few kinks with the seasoning on some dishes, I'm sure they'll iron it out soon. I'm excited for them to expand into brunch as well. Mezcla is a welcome addition to the neighborhood! I look forward to going back again soon.
(4)Christina F.
This is going to be a regular spot for me. They have great sangria and tapas. A bunch of my girlfriends split pitchers of sangria and a few different tapas. The rock shrimp dish was delicious. I absolutely love the ambiance of the restaurant!
(4)Hil N.
Surprised this place has such bad reviews. The drinks were excellent, the food great Latin/Mexican food without being heavy. Service was good and the atmosphere fun. Tons on the menu still to try and the happy hour specials are great. Will definitely go back.
(4)Jamie S.
I was really hoping this place would be a home run because I live right across the street. I ordered a chicken quesadilla for lunch- it was done quickly, the tortilla was crispy but everything was WAY TOO SALTY including the pico de gallo. I could only eat half before I just couldn't stand it anymore. If they cut back on the salt it would have been great. Everything seemed pretty fresh.
(2)Mary C.
Yum, Yum, Yum! Great food, wine, service, and energy. Perfect way to spend a Thursday evening. Also excellent music selections! Gracias!
(5)T B.
The good was ok, nothing great. The puffy taco was a shame. A good puffy taco should be light, puffy and fall apart, however, these are dense and thick. Good news: they gave my wife tons of free drinks at the bar Bad news: wife had to go home at 9 and get in bed.
(2)NY C.
Such an amazing place. One of the best lunch options in the area: fresh and delicious food & exceptional service. Love their tacos pescados and quesadillas.
(5)Gregory G.
All the food was delicious. Portions are a little small. 2 for 1 beer specials happy hour.
(3)Dina L.
The food and staff was excellent. Cocktails were unbelievably amazing and tasty. I'm very surprised to a few negative reviews and I'm glad I went. Can't wait to go back. Nice addition to the area.
(5)Peter B.
We went here on the weekend, thrilled that there was a Latin cuisine restaurant in the neighborhood. We were a bit disappointed. Pros: the staff is very welcoming and attentive (although there seem to be many more than is warranted for the size of the restaurant). The space, which is completely renovated, is very bright, pleasant and airy. There is a full -- and active -- bar. Cons: The space is rather loud and the quality of the food does not warrant the prices being charged. We shared a shrimp croquette appetizer that had more filler than shrimp. It was a generic, somewhat anonymous, fried "thing". I had the rabbit paella, which was drenched in truffle oil, very greasy and heavy with very little flavor other than the oil. My wife had chicken mole. The chicken was dry; this was surprising because we have never been to a Latin-cuisine restaurant that didn't have delicious, moist chicken. This was a first. In addition, my wife had a glass of wine (big glass, skimpy on the wine) and I had beer. Total bill, with tip: $100. GIven the overall quality, we were not happy. General observation: Mezcla seems to be developing into a very lively neighborhood "hang" -- a place that has a wonderful bar (somewhat loud), friendly people, and mediocre, overpriced food.
(3)Diane P.
My husband and I had been passing this place for several weeks. It looked very inviting with its large windows and cozy interior. We decided to try it this past Saturday night. And I'm very glad we did! What immediately appealed to me is that they get some of their ingredients from farms upstate New York, and they post on a board which products they get. Chicken was on the list, so I ordered the Pollo Asado. It was absolutely delicious, very flavorful. My husband ordered the duck which they had gotten in the day before. He mopped up the plate. We also ordered the sardines for the appetizer, which were also very good. The red wines by the glass were very smooth(I got the cabernet and my husband got the malbec). The waiter let us taste the wines before he poured our glasses. And the wine was served in large wide-mouthed red wine glasses, which I like. I'm so happy that a place of this caliber is now in my neighborhood. I'm looking forward to going back for the paella.
(4)