Cantina by Cascabel 1542 2nd Ave. 80th & 81st Sts.
Upper East Side
212.717.7800
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Cantina by Cascabel:
The owners of Cascabel Taqueria have packed up their ignored dumpling joint Mahjong to focus more on their too-hip-for-the-UES burgeoning Mexican restaurant empire. Cantina is a two-doors-down offshoot of the Taqueria, focusing on fishier plates (that’s a good thing) and colder drinks. If the Taqueria is already laid back, then Cantina is laaaaaaid back, the kind of spot where wearing socks feels woefully overdressed. Highlights of the food menu are the five different ceviches ($10 each), the “pinchos” (“kebabs” to you—3 pieces for $6) and several intriguing small sandwiches (notably, the Sloppy Jose, $10). Unlike the Taqueria’s strictly on-the-rocks cocktails, Cantina rolls out fresh-fruit margaritas in four different flavors (highlighted by a super-tart passionfruit) with plenty of solid wine and craft beer selections (Captain Lawrence Liquid Gold, $6) still available. Upper East Siders may have turned their noses to dressed-up dumplings, but you won’t hear anyone complaining about taking shots of fluke, scallop and razor clam ceviche followed by a shot of tequila—olé!
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