Category Archives: Restaurant Review

Last week, I went to a Mexican restaurant called Toloache near Times Square on 50th between 8th Ave and Broadway.  Toloache’s menu is divided into the following small plate categories: Guacamole $13; Ceviche $14-$15; Soups and Salads $9-11; Quesadillas $12-$15; and Tacos $10-$17.  These plates are meant as appetizers but some like the Guacamole and Ceviche may be ordered as a sampler and this is best if with a group.   Toloache’s main plates range from $18 – $32.

I first ordered the red sangria (depicted above). Unfortunately, Toloache does not serve this by the pitcher so beware how quickly the tab will add up. We started with the Guacamole sampler depicted below, and of the three, all of us liked the “Rojo” best. This is the one depicted with the queso fresco on top.

Trio de Guacomoles $24

After the Trio de Guacamoles were cleared we ordered a tasting of three different Ceviches.  The chef included a special ceviche for us which was not on the menu and included fish from the special plate of the night. It is depicted below to the right.  This turned out to be my favorite because of the inclusion of mango, but all three were tempting.

Tres Ceviches "El Acapulco Tasting" $27

For my main dish, the waiter talked me into the “Tumbada” which is described as Veracruz-style paella.  The seasoning was perfect and the rice was delicious but the shrimp and fish in particular were over cooked and bit dry. If I were to go back again (based on the plates I saw being served) I would try the Camarones Tolache ($26) or Carnitas de Lechon ($26).

Tumbada - Veracruz style paella $27

The prices are in line with what one might expect from a NYC restaurant and the service was excellent, but in the US only NYC could pull off such prices for this sort of food.  If making dinner reservations, I’d recommend requesting a table on the second floor overlooking the restaurant below or on a warm evening street-side tables for some al fresco dining. You can see the full menu as well as other locations in Manhattan by visiting, toloachenyc.com.

Tu Y Yo (You and Me) is located just outside of Davis Square in Somerville.  The nondescript exterior is matched by a casual, rustic atmosphere when you walk in.  At first glance the place is nothing special, but that changes once you try the food.

On our first visit we met the owner. When we asked him why his restaurant did not serve chips and salsa he said this was not common in Mexico City and assured us we wouldn’t want to fill up on corn chips when there were so many other tempting appetizers.  Although I do love chips and salsa, I had to agree the starters we devoured were delicious.We started our meal with Empanadas de Plátano Macho con Queso $7.50 which are plantain turnovers filled with cheese.  The lightly fried starter depicted top left was creamy and almost dessert-like.  The Jalapeños Maria Luisa pictured just below (named after a member of the family no doubt) was also $7.50. These offered a nice contrast adding a bit of spice to the meal.  Although you can order beer, wine (and the sangria is quite good by the way), depicted above on the right is a traditional iced tea made with hisbiscus water.

For dinner I ordered the Chile Relleno en Nogada for $18.95.  This is a poblano pepper stuffed with ground beef, almonds, raisins, covered in a sweet creamy sauce and sprinkled with pomegranate and cilantro. The meal was also accompanied by sides of rice and beans.  The ground beef in the pepper was well seasoned, offering something savory to  offset the creamy sauce, sweet raisins, pomegranate and almonds. Once I started, I couldn’t help myself and devoured the meal entirely.

If you are dieting do not even bother coming to Tu Y Yo, but if you are hankering for authentic Mexican cuisine from a no nonsense, attitude free restaurant check out this fonda at 858 Broadway – Somerville, MA.