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“Ola-- Closed”

Occasion:	Cuisine:	Area:	Cost:	Rating:
Night Out	Latin/Mexican	Tribeca	Moderate	Good

After leaving Chicama and Pipa, I wondered where chef Douglas Rodriguez would land. I was not thrilled that it was the far east 40s, a barely breathing culinary wasteland with vital signs sustained by Scott Conant’s L’Impero, and little else. But Rodriguez has turned this comatose, food-deprived neighborhood around, giving it a heartbeat with his savvy brand of Latin-centric fare. At OLA (Of Latin American), a lively new hot spot with a boisterous bar, the East 40s feels more like the East Village, as sexy young things sip frozen saffron-citrus margaritas ($9), the brain-freeze cocktail of choice, and minty-fresh, hangover-certified mojitos ($9). Take my word for it, these suckers are worth that aching, fuzzy head, get me a cheeseburger deluxe day after feeling.

 

After soaking in cocktails, order some tapas. Try a plate of Oysters Rodriguez (fat, crispy fried oysters on fufu—bacon laced mashed plantains, $12), the Killer Dates (bacon wrapped dates stuffed with almonds and cabrales, $8), and don’t miss the Mystery Meatballs ($12), Rodriguez’s haute take on high school lunch made from succulent Kobe beef instead of actual mystery meat. They were, excuse me please, balls from heaven. I also loved the Macha ceviche ($12) made from buttery Chilean red lip clams in a perky green sauce made from parsley, green tomatoes, and cilantro. If you crave Pure Protien (or Dr. Atkin’s approval) order the simply mahhhhvelous lamb combo— a pair of sweet, tender chops served over braised lamb shank with a feta and chile salsa ($29). Life in the far east 40s just got a lot better.

 

OLA, 304 East 48th Street (1st and 2nd), 212-759-0590

 

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Posted: March 1, 2003

Other restaurants in Tribeca :
+ Lunchbox Food Company--Closed   + 66: THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED   + Ola-- Closed   + Bouley   + Dominic   + Landmarc   + Pace-- Closed   + EN Japanese Brasserie   + Centrico   + Cercle Rouge   + The Harrison   + Turks & Frogs Tribeca   + Devin Tavern   + Dani-- Closed Now   + Bacaro/Smith & Mills   + The Harrison   + Matsugen, By Guest Reviewer Kathleen Squires   + Forge   + Macao Trading Company   + Harbour   + Review text tbd...   + Mehtaphor   + Brushstroke   + Jung Sik   

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