Mesa Grill, Gramercy/ Flatiron, NYC


Food: ☆☆☆

Service: ☆☆☆

Ambiance: ☆☆

Cost: $$$

I recommend: Cremini Mushroom Quesadilla, the Grilled Mahi Mahi and the Warm Banana Cake.

 

Mesa Grill on Urbanspoon



Mesa Grill definitely has Bobby Flays signature stamp on it. There is a distinct flair in the dishes that showcase his bold use of  Southwestern accented spices and sauces.

 

Each dish is multidimensional in flavor and texture with spices that keep you guessing but constantly interested in what you are tasting. This formula works great in some dishes and falls flat in others.

Some things that worked for me were the Cremini Mushroom Quesadilla, the Grilled Mahi Mahi and the Warm Banana Cake. The breadbasket has some delicious blue and yellow corn muffins that are definitely worth trying.

Dishes that fell flat were the Salmon Griddle Cake and the overly spiced Mexican Chocolate Pudding ( how can they do that to Mexican chocolate?)

As for the ambience at Mesa Grill….well there really is no distinctive soul to the place. It’s rather garish and dowdy. The service is friendly here but it just seems like the whole place needs to pull up its socks.

All in all at Mesa Grill, you will experience a meal will pique your interest and is definitely a huge step up from Bar Americain. But I can’t help but wonder if it not for Bobby Flay’s star power…….how popular this restaurant really would be.


Here is some of what we ate:


BREAD BASKET


CREMINI MUSHROOM QUESADILLA with Fontina, Ricotta Fried Egg + Salsa Verde


SHRIMP + ROASTED GARLIC CORN TAMALE with Fresh Corn + Cilantro Sauce


SOPHIE’S CHOPPED SALAD with Her Own Special Dressing + Crispy Tortillas


SALMON GRIDDLE CAKE with Cilantro Vinaigrette + Tomatillo Salsa


GRILLED MAHI MAHI with New Mexico Red Curry Sauce + Creamy Green Chile Rice


CORNMEAL CRUSTED CHILE RELLENO filled with Roasted Eggplant, Manchego Cheese with Sweet Red Pepper Sauce + Balsamic Vinegar


SIXTEEN SPICE CHICKEN with Blackberries, Cascabels + Green Onion Smashed Potatoes


MEXICAN CHOCOLATE PUDDING with Gingersnap Crumble


WARM BANANA CAKE with Caramel and Crushed Peanuts



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