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The number of concepts that combine elements of cuisine from different countries are on the rise, as evidenced by these spots we just discovered that put a fusion spin on Mexican fare.
The newest is Moondog HiFi Bar, a Med-Mex concept from Israeli-American Chef Einat Admony (founder of the acclaimed Greenwich Village restaurant Balaboosta and the Taim falafel chain) and her brother lon Admony, that opened November 7 in In Brooklyn, New York. The menu features dishes that combine Mediterranean and Mexican flavors including Chicken Shawarma Tacos, Argentinian Beef Empanadas with Olives, Currants, Jalapeños, S’chugichurri, and Esquites with cotija cheese and harissa mayo, plus cocktails including the Jaffa Old Fashioned, blending añejo tequila with date syrup, and the Figroni, a fig-infused take on the Negroni. Art from local artists and a vinyl record listening bar also are part of the creative space.
Across the country in Spokane, Washington, Indicana joined the restaurant scene in the city’s South Perry district in October with a menu that celebrates the flavors of India and Mexico. Options on the Happy Hour menu include the Three Amigos, a snakc of seasoned tortilla chips served with three dips (tamarind pico, Indicana guacamole and queso blanco with spicy ground beef kheema masala) and tacos such as Kheema Masala (Indian spiced ground beef, melted cheese, tamarind pico, jalapeño and cilantro served on corn tortillas); the dinner menu adds more upscale entrees including the Malai Chicken Kebab (chicken skewers marinated in spiced yogurt served over mole verde and a creamy korma masala and werved with a cheesy esquite stuffed poblano pepper and tandoori slaw).
On the other side of the state in Seattle, Lupe’s Situ Tacos is embracing the fusion vibe with a menu that incorporates
elements of Mexican and Lebanese fare. Once served from a pop-up location inside the city’s Jupiter Bar, Situ Tacos is now a brick-and-mortar storefront in the city’s Ballard neighborhood, where owner Lupe Flores serves tacos held together with toothpicks and then deep-fried — the way she learned from her grandmother. Options include Hushwe Tacos with Lebanese style browned butter beef; Papas with creamy garlic potato mash; and Spicy Cauliflower with broiled harissa cauliflower with cilantro chickpea mash.
Are you offering fusion dishes at your restaurant? Let us know and we’ll share your story! Email Editor Kathleen Furore, kfurore@restmex.com
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