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All Reader Reviews of...

Zarela

953 Second Ave., New York, NY, 10022
nr. 50th St.
212-644-6740

Avg. Rating

8
Food: 8
Service: 8
Décor: 8
"Recommended"

Average Reader Rating on a Scale of 10.

75% would go back.

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Authentic vs. Fusionized

By creechan on 5/5/2009

  • Overall Rating: 6
  • Food: 6
  • Service: 7
  • Décor: 7
  • No, I would not go back!

Zarela's cookbook led us to expect authentic Mexican dishes. A wonderful pico de gallo and salsa verde rich in cilantro taste and a magnificent margarita raised our hopes. Sadly, the specials during our our visit would not be found within Mexico. The Cochinita Pibil was sweet and included pineapple chunks a la Tacos al Pastor. Its achiote sauce lacked the bitter (agria) orange quality of a true pibil. No hint of platano leaf either, and served without tortillas but with a sweet rice pudding usually offered as desert. The fish tacos were a battered English style fish (a halibut) better served with chips and not tortillas. Nothing like the rico "shredded" style fish tacos found in Nayarit or Sinaloa. Desert was a pumpkin cheesecake with a rich "leche de cabrita" sauce, but more of a New York offering than a traditional Mexican treat. overall, we were sadly disappointed.

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62 out of 115 people found this review helpful.

I second that deadly drinks comment...

By michaeld5 on 7/18/2008

  • Overall Rating: 8
  • Food: 8
  • Service: 8
  • Décor: 8
  • Yes, I would go back!

I was warned about the margaritas...they called them "crack" margaritas because they were so potent. The food is serviceable, certainly for the price. No complaints here. Great place for meeting people after work and getting blasted.

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59 out of 117 people found this review helpful.

If you love authentic Mexican...

By bellysurfer on 7/1/2005

  • Overall Rating: 9
  • Food: 9
  • Service: 9
  • Décor: 8
  • Yes, I would go back!

If you love authentic Mexican, then you have no further to look. Good prices, great food and a fun atmosphere makes this a great place to bring your friends and co-workers. They have many different types of dishes made with authentic spices from Central America. I know because I'm from Guatemala, and I love this place. You will too.

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317 out of 644 people found this review helpful.

deadly drinks

By foodaholic on 1/7/2005

  • Overall Rating: 8
  • Food: 9
  • Service: 7
  • Décor: 7
  • Yes, I would go back!

Fantastic food, deadly drinks: the noise is deafening and drunken groups are allowed to ruin your evening without the slightest restraint. Perfect if you're the birthday boy but annoying as hell if you're not.

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331 out of 636 people found this review helpful.

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