To the unmistakable rhythm of Mariachi, a gastronomic festival began that celebrates not only the rich cultural heritage of Mexico, but also 22 years of offering New Yorkers truly authentic dishes with ingredients brought from the country they represent.
The Palapa at Saint Mark’s Place has been a guardian of tradition for two decades.
“It is a kitchen that comes entirely from the nostalgia of my childhood in Mexico. It’s homemade food, traditional food: it’s the tacos in Mexico City—chilangos, as we say—and then the stews are moles and very homemade things,” said Barbara Sibley, chef and owner of La Palapa.
What children and adults appreciate.
“For me, it’s my favorite restaurant, 100%, and if you ask my little son if he likes the food here, he says ‘Woooow,’” said Carlos Carezzano, diner.
But the conquest of the diners’ palate is not limited to the dishes and desserts, but extends to the bar with unique options that the owner and author of a recipe book on the so-called “antojitos” conceives and prepares by hand.
“We have been making margaritas like this for 22 years, so we started a long time ago: the way it should be. And what I have always loved is putting infusions in the tequila, pot coffee flavor or ancho chili flavor and different things, which for us are other ways to incorporate those authentic flavors,” Sibley added.
During the month of celebration, the main regions of Mexico will be represented with family recipes passed from generation to generation and others rescued even from convents that at some point were culinary chroniclers in the country’s history.
Sibley.
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“This week we are doing a ceviche theme, with ceviches from Veracruz and other more tropical ones with mango and different things. And then we’re also going to have a skite festival, a mole festival and others,” Sibley said.
The gastronomic festival “Mexican Pride” concludes at “La Palapa” on August 31.
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