Luz

Kara Zuaro

Citysearch

The Scene
The friendly bartender who churns out expertly poured mojitos and pisco sours sets a jovial mood at this dark and lively Pan-Latin bistro. The slim, brick-exposed space is a trek from the G train, but a local crew fills the room nightly. Regulars line up at the bar, or slide into sleek, black-topped tables for a creative mix of Mexican, Peruvian, Argentinean, Puerto Rican, Colombian and Caribbean fare.

The Food
Start with the spare ribs doused in mango-habanero barbecue sauce or a tasty empanada trio, packed with ropa vieja, black beans and queso blanco, and goat cheese and spinach. Passion fruit gellee enhances the otherwise flat snapper seviche, but roasted sweet potatoes fail to revive the bland lamb chops. Opt instead for the grilled filet mignon with crisp shredded collards or the delectable plantain and bacon-crusted snapper, artfully presented on a bed of mashed sweet plaintains. Save room for the dense and sugary tres leches cake.