Celebrating two wonderful reviews in one day

Photo by Michael Sofronski www.michaelsofronski.com

When you’ve been around for 22 years, it’s not always easy to stay in the public consciousness so it is wonderful when your work is appreciated and recognized.  Credit goes to my wonderful chef Hermene Fernandez and the rest of the staff.

Reading the review of Zarela in the Michelin Guide was thrilling:

“Is Zarela Martinez the unsung hero of the city’s blazing Mexican food scene?  Those who can remember Manhattan’s tortilla wasteland of ten years ago would argue yes, because the talented chef and food scholar–who can still be found holding court at her favorite corner table most nights of the week –has been dishing up authentic fare since the late eighties.

Happy hour finds the bar flooded with a young, spirited crowd chucking back the addictive house margaritas.  some of them oblivious to the brilliance passing under their noses .  Try a fragrant bowl of rich, smoky posole, a bright chile relleno stuffed with chicharrones in a tomatillo sauce, or tender baby back ribs and Mexican sausage, marinated in lime, garlic, and oregano.

Michelin Guide 2010. www.michelin.com

“Still going strong”, Zarela Martinez’s “fast-paced” East Midtown duplex remains a “consistent winner” for “bold” Mexican chow and a “hopping ” nightlife scene at the “deafening” street-level bar; just “beware” of the margaritas so “lethal” that “you might forget to eat.”

Zagat Guide www.zagat.com