Since 1969, restaurant, hotel, travel & other witty reviews by a handpicked, worldwide team of discerning professionals—and your views, too.

Rayuela

165 Allen St. (Stanton St.) Send to Phone
New YorkNY 10002
212-253-8840 | Make Restaurant Reservations | Menu
rayuelanyc.com
Your Opinion
Add your own review
Don't be put off by the cutesy name at this serious Latin joint on the Lower East Side.

Cuisine

Open

Dinner nightly, Brunch Sat.-Sun.

Features

* Click here for rating key

Dining room at Rayuela, New York, NY

Rayuela Restaurant Review

: At first, diners can’t help but feel that the owners behind this spot are playing games. The name means “hopscotch” in Spanish, for starters. And the tri-level setting feels somewhat like a glorified tree house. An olive tree grows right through the middle of it, in fact, stretching from the clubby ground floor lounge up to the second floor dining room, where sheer drapes flow around moss-green couches and raw wood and stone accents complete a rustic hideaway tone. How seriously are we supposed to take a cuisine coyly coined “freestyle Latino” anyway? But despite all the fun and games, the kitchen isn't joking. Eleven distinct offerings of ceviche, for example, are as skillfully balanced as the lounge’s cocktails, from tiny bay scallops in kiwi juice perked up with radish and crispy Serrano ham to lobster with pineapple, jalapeño, coconut water, lemon grass and ginger. Mofongo balls---rounds of moist mashed plantain, dotted with bacon and served with shredded fried pork---and spongy, slightly sweet arepas (corn cakes) slathered with tart goat cheese aren’t flippantly conceived. And homespun entrées like lamb served two ways--in stew-like shreds stuffed in a red pepper and tender chops--offer enough high points to create a worthy playground for the palate.

User Ratings & Reviews for Rayuela
 
New York City Top 10 Restaurant Lists

Discover the top restaurants in the New York for various cuisines and categories like sushi, steakhouses, happy hours, romantic dining and even gourmet food trucks. Find the best restaurants in New York here!

Discover the best restaurants in New York for sushi, steak, a romantic night out and more



RESTAURANT AWARDS 2013
RESTAURANT AWARDS 2013

Check out the 2013 edition of GAYOT's Annual Restaurant Issue, which features the Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S., Rising Chefs and more.

DINING ON A BUDGET

Check out GAYOT's lists for the best cheap eats in your areaSplurging at top-rated restaurants is fun for special events, but where can you go for a good quality meal that won't break the bank? Gather the change out of your piggy bank and sofa cushions and take it to one of our selections for the best cheap eats in your area.