BWW Previews: CANTINA ROOFTOP in NYC is Now Open

Salsa under the stars? Sí. Mezcal margaritas after work? Por supuesto! Modern Mexican cuisine, expertly crafted drinks and a year-round rooftop nightlife scene? Muy bueno! Cantina Rooftop, 605 West 48th Street combines all these elements together like a perfectly made cocktail.

Located in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan, Cantina Rooftop is the latest dining/social experience from Pedro Zamora. The nightlife industry veteran has brought aboard Richard Cardona as Cantina Rooftop's general manager. Cantina Rooftop is distinguished by an innovative modern Mexican menu from Executive Chef Gonzalo Colin (Frankie & Johnnies, City Bistro, Sequoia, Robert), a Mexico City native who spent a year traveling to dozens of cities across Mexico to bring the best flavors and dishes home to New York City.

Just steps away from the Hudson River, and with stunning skyline views of Midtown Manhattan, Cantina Rooftop will be open year-round, rain or shine, made possible by a retractable rooftop and abundant space heaters during cooler months. Intimate yet accommodating, the open-air venue features a 20-seat bar and lounge and an 80-person outdoor dining area with a secondary bar, surrounded by lush greenery, banquettes, and communal and individual tables.

In addition to signature guacamole, salsas, and stone-ground Nixtamal tortillas freshly made in-house by La Señora del Comal (the lady of the griddle), the restaurant will offer such house specials as barbacoa de carnero (maguey-braised lamb shank, consommé with guajillo sauce and comal corn tortillas), pollo campestre (chicken in Grandma's Mole Negro served with green rice), and grilled Black Angus (arrachera steak with roasted potatoes, poblano peppers and charred asparagus).

Along with a variety of tacos, tostaditas and ceviches, the menu also spotlights antojitos ("little cravings"), creative small plates such as enchiladitas poblanos (pulled chicken, Grandma's Mole Negro and queso fresco), camarones locos (tequila fire Gulf shrimp, Mexican chile and spicy salt), and frijoles borrachos (braised Berkshire pork belly, hoja santa, mezcal and Negra Modelo lager). Side dishes, such as Mexican street corn and fresh tortillas made on the rooftop in view of guests, are also must-tries.

With bottle service available, the rooftop lounge also features regular Happy Hour specials including $5 beer, $6 margaritas and $7 tacos. Under the direction of noted mixologist Jason Silverman (Agave, Mojave), Cantina Rooftop's offers a drink menu of imaginative and refreshing cocktails, with a focus on margaritas, and a unique tequila and mezcal list, including the hard-to-find Clase Azul Tequila. Signature cocktails include the Cantina Margarita, made with Fidencio Mezcal, fresh lemon juice, agave nectar and Tajin spice rum; and the Tequila Sunset, with Tromba Blanco tequila, mango puree, lime juice, cava and Aperol.

Cantina Rooftop is located at 605 W. 48th Street (between 11th and 12th Avenues), NYC 10036. Dinner reservations recommended: (212) 957-1700. Open Tuesday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday & Saturday, 5 p.m. to midnight. The lounge is open Thursday through Saturday until 4 a.m. Sunday brunch is coming soon. All major credit cards accepted. For more information, please visit www.cantinarooftop.com.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Cantina Rooftop

To post a comment, you must register and login.