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“Pampano Gets a Botaneria”

Utter the words tapas, and you might automatically think of Spanish cuisine. On January 25th, however, Richard Sandoval is planning to open a Mexican tapas bar in Midtown East. But just don’t expect basket of tortilla chips with guacamole to land on your table. 

Sandoval’s latest project is to add the botaneria to Pampano, which opened in 2003, and it’s focused on contemporary Mexican botanas, aka small plates, in a modern and chic setting. It has a neo-Spanish colonial feel filled with blue and white tilework, wrought iron gates and a dark wood bar with zinc accents. With his usual artistic flair, Sandoval will out dishes like huaraches, lightly fried corn masa in shapes of small sandals topped with wild mushroom, filet mignon or shrimp and Mexican cheese. Or you can get tacos with smoked swordfish along with duck confit and slow simmered pork that gets fried.

You’ll want to check out the cocktails, too, because like his other bar, La Biblioteca de Tequila, there’s a vast collection of tequilas and mescals. There are also sangria and other Latin-themed cocktails to accompany some nice Latin wines. Enjoy! 

Pampano Botaneria is located at 209 East 49th Street, 212-751-4545, www.richardsandoval.com.
 
— Bao Ong
 

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