Food: ☆☆☆ 1/2

Service: ☆☆☆ ½

Ambiance: ☆☆ ½

Cost: $$$

Fit for: Lunch Spot, Brunch, Dine At The Bar, Outdoor Dining

Dishes not to miss: Salsas de la casa, Quesos Flameados, Burrito de Atún

Chef Julieta Ballesteros, of Mexicana Mama fame, has traded up to Crema in Chelsea, where she serves upscale, refined Mexican cuisine.

This eatery is a place to try delightful combinations of carefully composed plates. Ballesteros has put a lot of thought into the creation of each dish. At Crema, one experiences combinations of Mexican flavors that are rare and very pleasing to the palate.

Don’t go expecting common fare like burritos, enchiladas and quesadillas. Instead, experience imaginative meats and vegetables painted with sauces like sesame-pasilla, chili aioli or pomegranate honey.

You must try their Salsas de Casa. One is flavored with a fiery habenero and is served warm whilst the other served cold has a milder chipotle accent. I loved the play of temperature and spice in these salsas.

Ballesteros has done a terrific job of elevating Mexican food into fine cuisine. She sure has put Crema on my list for favorite Mexican spots in the city.

Here is some of what we ate:

Guacamole Combo

Quesos Flameados

Ensalada de Pancita

Pastel Azteca

Burrito de Atún