Mmmmm Mmmm Mmm Mercadito (East Village, NYC)

Mercadito is a neighborhood gem whose name means "little market" in Spanish. Since I discovered the original location in the East Village, they have opened up several more locations; one across the street from the original and one in the West Village. This Mexican restaurant is a great local joint for a quick bite for two, or for a group dinner. The entrance is a wicker door that opens into a small restaurant, which is decorated like a small Mexican hut in the middle of the East Village. It has a great intimate feel up front, but they have a room downstairs that is great for groups.

There is a small, cramped bar ajoining the open kitchen. Seats are always at a premium, but the calesthenics are well worth the effort. The freshly mixed margaritas are fantastic, and the adventurous beer drinkers can try a cerveza "michelada" style, with lime, worcestershire, tabasco and salt. Tasty drinks lead straight into the tasty menu.

There is a vast variety of food to order, and most is designed for easy sharing. There are several varieties of freshly made guacamole, all of which are delicious. Ceviche also comes in several varieties. The selection of fish, acid and vegetable complements is quite diverse, so pick one that fits the mood and palate of your group. I suggest sticking with the Mixto, which has a great garlic-jalepeno sauce. Some of the others may be overwhelmed by the citrus but underwhelming in terms of overall flavor.

For the main course, my favorite approach is to order a bunch of the tacos, which are simply scrumptious. The two-bite tacos are made in small soft corn tortillas. Each serving contains four tacos, which makes them perfect for mixing, matching and sharing on a double date. The can't miss version is the shrimp taco (Cameron), which are covered in a roasted garlic and chipotle mojo sauce that is then topped with a slice of avocado. They're a perfect combination of taste, spice and texture. Many other types are also available, with proteins ranging from pork to steak to several types of fish. If late night dining fits your style, Mercadito offers a fantastic all-you-can-eat taco deal after 10pm several days per week.

The menu also offers a wide variety of entrees, including steak, chicken, whole snapper and stuffed relleno peppers. Several are excellent, but devote your first Mercadito experience to the tacos and save the other entrees for your second visit. And trust me- you will be making return visit!