Profile

On historic Stone Street, Mad Dog & Beans Mexican Cantina recreates a South of the Border saloon. Attracting locals and South Street Seaport tourists by day, by night it’s a rowdy watering hole for young financiers looking to let loose. While the ground floor focuses on libations, especially margaritas and 100 tequilas, the upstairs is dedicated to dining. Recycled barn wood covers the walls and complements the antique-style wooden chairs and tables imported from Mexico. Black and white photos of Pancho Villa and his bandolero-clad compadres and an enormous chandelier with Edison light bulbs evoke a distant time. As for the eats, the guacamole is a highlight. Presented in a stone molcajete, it admirably balances creamy avocados, zingy lime juice, and aromatic cilantro. Requests for spiciness are duly accommodated with devilishly piquant fresh jalapeño peppers. Beef fajitas are less successful: The tasty, cumin-infused meat is submerged beneath a damp slurry of sautéed peppers and onions, turning what should be a sizzling, grilled dish into a silent, stewy one. Despite some miscues, Mad Dog & Beans Mexican Cantina is a step up from average. — Michael Anstendig

Guacamole, $12