La Palapa - Dinner Date With the Monkey
/
(East Village)
77 St. Mark's Place, New York, NY 10003
Tel. 212-777-2537
High Chair
After a crazy Friday at work I forged home in the snow desperately wanting: 1. Spring to (finally f-ing) get here and 2. A massive margarita to take the edge off a long day. Husb was working late and I hadn't planned dinner so I grabbed the monkey and hopped over to La Palapa (77 St. Mark's Place).
La Palaps (as I call her) was a favorite for happy hour in my mid-twenties...the margaritas are delicious and potent and the food (in my Arizona born and bred opinion) is one of the best upscale Mexican options in the city. When we moved back to NYC with the babe I was pleasantly surprised that my old haunt was very child friendly as well!
Monks and I arrived at 6:00 p.m. in the middle of happy hour (which is at the bar only), the hostess initially showed us to a two top but the owner came over and moved us to a small corner booth table and brought over a high chair which was perfect and much appreciated!
We got a (stat) frozen margarita for me as well as platanos con crema and house made queso fresco (the monkey's favorite), quesadilla con rajas poblanos (peppers so mild the babe could eat them) and a portion of the freshly made guacamole that they made especially for us without spice along with a complimentary trio of 3 fresh salsas.
Food tips:
- Margaritas: I'm a purist and usually go rocks for my margaritas, but the frozen are very tasty and the fruit add ins you can get are freshly chopped (mango, blood orange and a very spicy ginger are favorites).
- Brunch: I'm unclear why the place isn't rammed for brunch as it's absolutely delicious. I always get the Eggs Choriqueso (eggs with chorizo and cheese with rice, beans and fresh corn tortillas). The Pan Frances Estilo Torrejas (Mexican Style French Toast) is fantastic as well with a thick brioche toast, vanilla in the batter and bananas sliced over the top.
- Top food picks: Chalupas con chorizo, elote del mercado, pato al mole negro, tacos pescado
Baby tips:
- Brunch (which is baby central) and early dinner (like pre 7:00 p.m.) are best for kids
- Kid friendly staff and owner
- Have highchairs
- No changing tables in the restrooms but both are spacious enough and never gross
- Kid's menu available as well as kid size cartoon-ed up plastic cups with lids and straw that I may have snuck the remnants of a margarita out in once (shh)
- I've seen plenty of strollers at brunch but it gets pretty packed in the evening and I probably would go the carrier route if you're going for dinner