Upper Manhattan – Dining

Upper Manhattan has a well-deserved reputation for delicious Dominican, Cuban, and other Latin American restaurants. And when you’re not hungry for Latin American food, you’ll find plenty of top-quality restaurants in Inwood and Washington Heights specializing in other cuisines. From New American to old-school Italian, Upper Manhattan has you covered.

 

Chelas

An illustration of a fierce-looking chicken is the logo of Chelas, representing the pollo a la brasa, or rotisserie chicken, that is this Peruvian restaurant’s specialty. Other Peruvian favorites, such as saltado (a type of stir fry), jalea (a fish fry with yucca), and ceviche, are on the menu too. Chelas bills itself as a pisco bar as well, and it also offers sangria and nonalcoholic options including house-made chicha morada, a fragrant purple beverage made with dried corn.

 

 

Jalao

Like Chelas, Jalao offers ceviche, but here it has a Dominican flavor. So do the rest of the dishes. Starters—not counting the all but obligatory guacamole and chips—include cheddar-yuca croquets and braised-goat croquettes. Entrées are veritable feasts: vegan pastelón de berenjena (an eggplant casserole); pork ribs in passion fruit barbecue sauce with yuca frita and grilled corn; coconut fish fillet with roasted red pepper, moro de guandules (pigeon peas and rice), and tostones. Complete your meal with the namesake dessert, a honey-and-coconut confection.

 

 

The Pandering Pig

French cuisine by way of Northern California is the theme of this intimate restaurant, which offers three- and four-course prix fixe menus. Dishes will vary depending on the season and what looks best at market; recent options included roasted cauliflower salad with toasted walnuts and Gruyère, lamb shank with carrots and cranberries over creamy polenta, and chicken breast braised in white wine, capers, olives, blueberries, and peaches over rice.

 

 

Cami

No need to cross the Atlantic, or even take the A train downtown, to relish contemporary Mediterranean cuisine, thanks to Cami. Among the small plates are crispy calamari with fried jalapeño, pan-seared crab cake with mustard aioli, and roasted red-pepper hummus; decidedly not-small plates include ribeye steak, oven-roasted branzino, seafood linguine, and Valencia-style paella. Brunch here is certain to shoo away any Sunday scaries with the likes of eggs Benedict with avocado mousse and prosciutto, spinach-artichoke dip accompanied by pita, and brioche French toast with roasted banana glaze and a toasted-coconut and pineapple chutney.

 

 

Hilltop Park Alehouse

When you’re in the mood for comfort food done right accompanied by a perfectly poured Guinness or IPA, Hilltop Park Alehouse is certain to please. Choices range from roasted-tomato soup with grilled cheese on nine-grain bread to five types of flatbread, from fish and chips to a burger made with a blend of short rib and brisket meat. If that’s not enough to entice you, there’s also a live DJ during Sunday brunch, live jazz on Sunday evenings, and Tuesday night trivia.