The newly opened restaurant Avenida is serving the most delicious Mexican cuisine in New York City. Located at the remodeled Penn 1 Plaza—adjacent to Madison Square Garden and Penn Station in Midtown West—Avenida is a high energy and no fuss dining experience. Whether you are in the area for a concert, a Knick’s basketball game or commuting through Penn Station, Avenida is one of the best neighborhood spots to replenish your energy with some hearty Mexican food and refreshing margaritas and cocktails.
Avenida is the latest eatery from Host Restaurants hospitality group—their other hit restaurants include Jackdaw, Odd Sister, Dear Maud, and Printer’s Alley—and they continue to deliver exceptional food and alcoholic beverages. Avenida’s extensive menu offers the finest Mexican fare that is authentic, full of rich flavors, generous in portion size and reasonable prices. From shrimp ceviche to taco salads to sandwiches and burritos, there is food for all palates.
A starter dish that is a standout at Avenida is the Elote Skillet, which is Mexican street corn served with lime crema, queso fresco, lime zest, poblano dust, shallots, garlic and Tajin seasoning. The portion size is perfect and easily shareable. Overall, the corn is tasty and delightful.
Another shared plate worth ordering are the pork belly tostadas, which are simply irresistible. Served with two pieces, the pork belly is fried and savory and made with house made tomatillo sauce, shaved iceberg lettuce, chipotle sauce, shaved radishes, coffee black bean puree, guacamole, queso fresco and crispy corn tortilla. We also tried the shrimp ceviche, which is sweet, tangy, and has a punch. Served with crispy tortilla chips, the appetizer has generous servings of small shrimp mixed with Leche De Tigre Citrus Cuvee, tri-color bell peppers, avocado, red onions, and cilantro to make it a flavorful starter dish.
For an entrée, the five-hour smoked braised short rib burrito that comes with Mexican rice, refried beans, pico de gallo, colby jack, cheddar, tomatillo sauce, and chipotle is highly recommended. In fact, this was our favorite item on the menu. The burrito is massive and stuffed with generous portions of short rib and cheese. Trust us, you will be full and satisfied. The burrito is worthy of an Instagram photo!
If you’re in the mood for something different, try the crispy chipotle chicken sandwich. The breaded and boneless chicken breast has the perfect crunch and the added chipotle sauce paired with shredded iceberg lettuce and pickles really compliment each other. Served with fries, the crispy chipotle chicken sandwich is gratifying.
A Mexican meal is only complete with some margaritas. At Avenida, a galore of refreshing, freshly squeezed traditional margaritas and cocktails are available. The margaritas (rocks or frozen) are well balanced and very tasty. Their passion fruit frozen margarita is fresh and heavenly. A must-have drink! And their Piña colada is rich and sweet. The green bell margarita ($16) made with tequila, pineapple, green bell pepper, and cilantro is original and worth ordering. Also, the margarita picante ($16) that is infused blanco tequila, agave, lime, green apple juice is delectable. Seasonal sangria and beer such as Pacifico and Dos Equis can be ordered as well.
In addition to their winning food and drinks, Avenida offers a spacious outside patio and rooftop that is perfect for the summer season and for any happy hour outing. The outdoor rooftop features a bar, television sets, and glorious views of Madison Square Garden. As for Avenida’s dining room, it is intimate, airy and decorated in a way that makes the place inviting.
Overall, Avenida is the best place for drinks and drinks, especially if you’re in the area for a Knicks basketball game. Due to the restaurant’s close location adjacent to Madison Square Garden, you can eat the best food and get a mighty pre-game buzz from all the delicious margaritas. A visit to Avenida is worth your time and money.