THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Mission Cantina Awards

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Mission Cantina Restaurant Review:

Chef Danny Bowien blew into New York with his San Francisco import Mission Chinese Food, and he managed to create mass anticipation again with his south-of-the-border spin-off. Just up the block from his first New York restaurant, this taco joint serves up classic and adventurous fare for the Lower East Side set. Skip the appetizers --- guacamole is overshadowed by the obtrusively huge chunks of chicharrones; chicken wings are overly slathered in sesame and cream --- and go straight for the tacos. The best are also the most daring: beef tongue paired with peanuts, and the chicken liver “tostada” uniting chunks of fried chicken liver, white beans and pickled chilies on a crispy tortilla. For something more substantial, order the roast chicken to share, a whole bird stuffed with chorizo, pecans and rice. There are no desserts, but expect a couple of thirst-quenching beers and soju-based cocktails.