Amaranto Mexican Restaurant
“Sangria is also the perfect glass of happiness, esp during happy hour.”
“Good for vegetarians and meat eaters alike.”
“Fernando makes a mean margarita and the brunch, lunch, and dinner are all awesome.”
Amaranto Mexican Restaurant
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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For starter, we went with the spice guacamole, which was a let down. It's incredible they charge $9 for a small bowl portion of what I believe is store bought guacamole, instead of the fresh stuff. It lacked the fatty texture and bright flavor of fresh avocados, and instead was quite bland. However the queso fresco and pumpkins seeds were a fine addition, so a lesson for those who make homemade guac.
The burrito on the other hand was quite good. Big chunks of steak, a good amount of cheese, and well wrapped for consumption without a huge mess. I highly recommend their flavorful hot sauce, though when asked for hot sauce, they offered about a tablespoon for both my friend and I. I recommend asking for more than that.
Three of us came here on a Friday night, and much to our surprise, it wasn't crowded at all. The spice guacamole was great because I loved the little kick the hot sauce gave me, but I didn't care much for the pumpkin seeds. My fish with green rice was flavorful and light (can't believe I am using "light" for Mexican food). I also had a bit of my friend's salad, and the vegetables tasted really fresh. Service was a little "meh", because our waitress kept on forgetting things, but we also kept on forgetting to remind her because we were preoccupied with the food…
Amazing sangria and margarita to start out, followed by a stuffed avocado appetizer (warm shrimp and red sauce contrasted with cool avocado and white sauce). Then the green rice and seafood dish, which was sort of like a twist on paella, a steak taco (mmmm, those caramelized onions), and a chicken taco. Another round of sangria and margarita. Ended with a tres leches cake dessert with light, raspberry cream. My husband and I enjoyed the food, the ambiance, and each other's company. We dined after 9 p.m. last night (Saturday) and were seated right away. Highly recommended to foodies and really to anyone. Our whole experience with tip was around $80-$90, which is very reasonable! If we lived here, we'd definitely go back!
If you love Mexican food, and you are you in New York, this place is a must visit. At the time of this reviews drafting I can with confidence state that this is the best Mexican I have had in or anywhere around NYC (or anywhere else on this coast for that matter), period! While the influx of immigration from Interior parts of Mexico over the last decade or a half or so has undoubtedly improved the overall quality of the cuisine in the metropolis by many many times since my formative years, claims by some starry-eyed food-critic types that the city is approaching or matching the overall quality of Mexicuisine to be found in California and other Western Cities is wildly overblown to the point of being just silly and embarrassing. This place however, should give those homers some hope that we are at least on our way there.
Probably nothing else really need more be said about this places greatness than this simple fact: It is entirely run by a family from the Puebla region with none other the the matriarch abuela behind the stove turning literal home-cooked goodness. And oh how good it is. Do yourself a favor and skip the workaday offerings of tacos and burritos that probably account for a good deal of the places business, and go with some of the authentic regional specialties, chances are they will elevate your ideas of Mexican food. Two of the seafood based starters are surely among the best things I've eaten during the past year. First would be aa delicate and complexly flavored crab tostadas, which instantly transported us to a perfect secluded cove on the Gulf with its delicious flavors, the most striking and enigmatic turning out to be dehydrated and pulverized black olives, which simply blew my mind!
Joining that starter on the short list of hands down the best things I ate in 2015 were the melt in your mouth super slowly cooked short rib doused in a brilliantly complex mole verde created from a vast multitude of chiles as well as cinnamon and the licorice like herb called hoja santa. Add to this another starter that also brilliantly resonated the flavors of the sea, but in an altogether darker and more murky yet equally delicious way. That would be the huitlacoche (a delicious corn fungus) tamale laced with the fragrant he Mexican tea leaf epazote, swimming in a broth made with a combination of crab broth and beautifully accompanied by mussels and chorizo.
While much acclaim has been given to the similar cuisine doled out at Long Island City's Casa Enrique and considerable higher prices, I think that establishment in fact is overrated, particularly considering the cramped unattractive environs and harried service. If you looking for the Mexican place in our fair city that would best serve to easy the well founded doubts of any West Coast transplant to the possibility that good Mexican could be found I would suggest taking them here instead, of there or anywhere else for that matter.
Probably one of if not the best lunch I have had in Brooklyn. I strolled in around 2 yesterday sarvingggg and freezzzing. I saw this joint on my yelp app and it looked pretty yummy. I love Mexican food but what I loved was the fact that everything was fresh and not heavy. Its Jan 7 so of course im still on my new years resolution kick to loose 10lbs. I went with the Salmon. Great choice. I was hesitant since it was lunch time not dinner but the portion was perfect and cost me it only 14 bucks. Dropping 20 on a nice lunch in Brooklyn is not out of the norm.
So back to the salmon. My mother always told me as a kid "slow down no one is going to take your food away" due to the fact that I get so overly excited and sove my food in like its a contest. As an adult I make an effort to restrain myself….. Welllll most of the time. The salmon had so much going on and it all worked so well together. I couldn't decide what bite to take first I found myself scrambling to make a perfect balanced bite each time. I had to have it all in my mouth immediately.
Check this place out.
I absolutely love this place. Owned and operated by a husband and wife, the cute factor is through the roof. The decor is simple but inviting with a gorgeous mural of the Aztec deity Quetzalcoatl on the walls that I can't stop staring at every time I'm there. Noticeably clean dining area and bathroom, this place gets 4 stars for the atmosphere. But if you know me or read my reviews, you know atmosphere is not what brings me to a place.
I too often find that menu's at Mexican restaurants look the same but Amaranto is a wonderful diversion from the típico. Maybe I'm eating at the wrong places and I'll admit to being the whitest of the gringo's but I am so happy to find Mexican food that surprises my taste buds. I've been here a few times and I always like to try new things whenever I return to restaurants but for the appetizers you have to get the Crab Tostadas and the Tamale with mussels. The crab tostadas, served cold and beautifully plated, come with two big crispy tortillas that are loaded with crab meat and bursting with fresh flavors. Despite the fried tortilla, you will feel healthy while eating this because of the fresh crab and cool crunchy veggies that top it. If you come with 4 people, I'd recommend ordering two so you each get your own tostada. You'll thank me later.
The tamale is equally as appetizing and is also plated with the utmost care. One tamale is served in a bowl with 5 or 6 mussels in a rich seafood broth that you'll want to finish with a spoon. This dish has flavor profiles that you don't normally get with Mexican food but somehow still tastes like it belongs here.
For entree's I have ordered something different every time, just so that I can get a full profile of what Amaranto has to offer. I've had the tacos (fish being the favorite), Chicken Enchiladas with Mole Poblano, the pork chop and the Short Ribs with mole verde. I wish I could pick a favorite, but it's tough. Definitely get the fish tacos if you're in the mood for that but if you want to venture out a bit, try the Mole Poblano or the Short Ribs. Extremely different dishes but equally as satisfying. The Mole Poblano is rich and chocolaty while the short ribs are melt in your mouth tender with a welcome tang from the tomatillo. My cookie cutter Mexican trained mind wanted gooey cheese in the enchiladas but they didn't need that thanks to the velvety mole poblano. The simple queso fresco crumbled on top is all you need.
Every dish here is plated beautifully, and is extremely appetizing. I don't know the history of the chef here but it's as if he is working for a Michelin starred restaurant. Kudos to him. Screw Cosme, I'll take Amaranto any day for the service, value AND food!
Top 3 best Mexican food restaurant in the area. Just wish there was more to choose from. The lady and gentleman that work here seem very cool. Food is a lot flavorful and filling than other spots, but it comes at a price of course. Well worth checking out.
Decent Mexican restaurant situated in bushwick. Weekends were also not so crowded.
The pumpkin seed guacamole was good! Ask for more slice of that's your taste, cuz gal I tell you their spicy sauce is SPICY! Like Mexican style spicy lets get a yayyyyyha!
Chicken taco was all fancied and dressed up for that tender worth of three tacos. All the dishes looked decent, borderline try hard ~fusion~ Tex mex food.. Though not in a bad way. The from the garden dish was delicious with nice green verde sauce. Again, ASK FOR HOT SAUCE.
Overall it's a 'not so bad' Mexican restaurant that gives you a full bar for those of you alcoholicistasssss. Food came fairly quick, they take card (hi5!), and is one of the more sit down and chillable spots from around the hood.