Dine Out : ABC Cocina

ABC Cocina Review, Jean-Georges Vongerichten Restaurant

Ever since my impressive dining experience at ABC Kitchen last year, I've also wanted to try Jean-Georges Vongerichten's companion restaurant ABC Cocina. I believe that these two spaces are actually interconnected through ABC Carpet and Home. Nonetheless we made our entry through their 19th Street entrance that offers outdoor seating during the warmer months. The somewhat cavernous feeling dining room with a bustling open kitchen features exposed beam ceilings from which a number of eclectic chandeliers hang. The decor adopts an eco chic modern vibe with concrete walls, black steel tables with black and pink open back chairs that look cool but are quite uncomfortable. The Latin inspired tapas style menu follows the same farm to table market concept of ABC Kitchen with a varied selection of seasonal organic and local sustainable fare. All the dishes we tried were bursting with bright and fresh flavors. Our starters of mezcal cured salmon with cucumber yogurt relish and shaved beets, portobello mushrooms, queso blanco and herbs were impressively flavorful. The market vegetables over brown rice with salsa verde looked gorgeous and tasted equally as incredible. Every element was cooked to perfection and the flavor of each vegetable was as if it had just picked from the garden. I can't say the same for the roasted turkey cuban sandwich which had some crazy kick that burned so intensely that I couldn't spit out the bite I took of it quick enough. My husband didn't have any issues with it though. For dessert we tried their famous salted caramel impossible flan which had the loveliest smooth texture and delicious mingling of vanilla and caramel. The light and creamy tres leches cake didn't disappoint either. I've mentioned before I'm not really one for sweets but I could easily eat a few bites of both of these without getting sick of them. The service was knowledgeable and friendly. Overall I think we may have enjoyed the food here even more than ABC Kitchen and there are some menu items like their spring pea guacamole that I'd love to return to try. The reservation situation is similarly challenging to their sister restaurant but I will mention that it does seem to be easier to score a table during lunch than dinner. 

ABC Cocina
38 East 19th Street (Park & Broadway)
New York City
212.677.2233

ABC Cocina Review, Jean-Georges Vongerichten Restaurant
ABC Cocina Review, Jean-Georges Vongerichten Restaurant

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40 comments

Hoda Katebi said...

Ugh, that flan sounds (&looks) amazing! I feel like flan is only good when done right, and that looks like it was done right! While I do really enjoy your restaurant posts they end up leaving me craving delicious food, which is a problem given that it's almost midnight. Anyway, hope you enjoyed all the food (it certainly sounds like you did!) and can't wait to see where you're headed off to next!

<(') Hoda | JooJoo Azad, a fashion + social action blog

Anonymous said...

The food looks absolutely great and so does the décor. Would definitely eat there if I had the opportunity.

LUXESSED

Anonymous said...

Oooh I love the decor, it looks so warm and cozy! The food looks awesome too. That FLAN!

Paola Lauretano said...

Lovely place and delicious food!!!
xo Paola
Expressyourself
My Facebook

Lilli said...

Seems very nice and Id like to try it too, The food looks good and I like how it served, yummy for the desserts, both!:) Happy Monday Rowena! xo

Jackie Harrison said...

A place I need to make reservation for amazing dishes great atmosphere.

Diva In Me said...

Ooo...the dessert looked YUMMY!! In fact, everything looked yummy. Glad I'm reading this before dinner time =D

Ivana Split said...

What a fantastic place to dine...that salmon sounds great...sorry to hear about that sandwich, sometimes they (restorants in general) get to carried with spices, but glad to hear everything else was to your liking.

Have a wonderful day!

Shireen L. Platt said...

I am reading this post at 7am and holy cow, it's making me so hungry! Sounds like a great restaurant, Rowena and the decor is brilliant!

Shireen | Reflection of Sanity

Natalia | Look-A-Porter said...

Such a wonderful place! And I love the look of that salad - made me hungry. :)
x

The Dainty Dolls House said...

Just looks so good :)) xx

Emmylou said...

Your hood seriously have such awesome restaurants....sigh....I will go to NYC someday!!!!

A Very Sweet Blog said...

The atmosphere is absolutely lovely. I'm swooning over that chandelier. Yeah, cuban sandwiches can be spicy. Other than that it sounded superb Rowena! Thanks for this introduction!
http://www.averysweetblog.com/

Lenya said...

What an amazing place, love the decor, the food looks delicious, would love to eat there. Happy Monday, Rowena.
kisses
Lenya
FashionDreams&Lifestyle

Margaret Dallospedale said...

Hi Rowena, this place looks wonderful.
Kisses
Maggie Dallospedale Fashion diary - Fashion blog

Oh to Be a Muse said...

It sounds really good and it looks even better, yum!

www.ohtobeamuse.com

Anonymous said...

Everything looks way too amazing. Saving this for if we have a chance to go!

xx 365Hangers

get carried away said...

That sounds and looks like such a great place sweety!
Happy monday! <3

Stella said...

The dishes look delicious. Nice interior as well.
x
Stella from a A Shiny Place

Unknown said...

Lovely and yummy
Ciao

Mywishstyle

Unknown said...

Love this restaurant! So good.

xx
Ariel
http://www.arielpeche.com

Nequéren Reis said...

Que maximo amei a postagem, tenha uma semana abençoada
Canal:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNNlFtDc1-o
Blog:http://arrasandonobatomvermelho.blogspot.com.br

ALLIE NYC said...

Oh that Flan sounds amazing, have you ever had the creme brulee at Frankis...to die for!

Allie of ALLIENYC
allienyc.com

Shyscout said...

The food sounds and looks delish. I would be interested to try the mescal cured salmon. My boyfriend and I are on a bit of a food show kick - we need to get out and try to place and stop watching about them, haha :]

Rebeca Muñoz López said...

The decor of the place is quite attractive and appetizing dishes are must have been a pleasant experience eating there.

www.urbanikamoda.blogspot.com

trishie said...

Looks like a real trendy spot. I love how fresh the food looks!

oomph. said...

love the shot of the chandelier against that cool window pane!

Stanislava E. said...

The place looks nice, so does the food. Sorry to hear this about the sandwiches, haha, it was a funny story. I know you aren't keen on sweets, so these must have been really good. Have a nice day, Rowena! xo

Effortlesslady said...

Fab place to dine out. Yummy food.
www.effortlesslady.com

miasmode said...

Omg you had to spit out the sandwich ;-) I always say the hotter the better :D I would love to try it. Glad you had a great time Rowena. The place looks so cool and the food delicious. Hopefully I can try it one day. Have a happy Tuesday!

xx

FASHION TALES said...

Well, everything here looks pretty good! Very funny about the sandwich too, haha. I would probably go there to check out the decor alone, I'm a fan of open kitchens and obsessed with chandeliers. <3
Lavender Biscuits

little luxury list said...

My husband would love the salmon and your Cuban! I think this may need to go on the list for our next visit. Do you have any recommendations for a quiet place with solid food?

xoxo,
little luxury list formerly Chic 'n Cheap Living

Leslie said...

I like the vibe here and the food looks so fresh and delicious! An open kitchen is so appealing to me and I like the openness of this restaurant. Looks like fun! You need to create a NY dining guide Rowena!

BEAUTYEDITER.COM – Beauty Blog said...

Awesome post! I like the interior and ambiance. Have a wonderful Wednesday dear! :)

xoxo;
STYLEFORMANKIND.COM / Facebook / Bloglovin

Alice said...

such a good place :)

xoxo,
Alice's Pink Diary

nancy @ adore to adorn said...

looks delicious. Hope to visit and try this place one day soon! =)
xo,
nancy

http://www.adoretoadorn.com

Annabel said...

This is just a stunning restaurant, I don't think I'd even care about the food!

Annabel ♥
Mascara & Maltesers

Midnight Cowgirl said...

Sounds like a lovely place, and the food looks amazing!

MaysaAndSunshine said...

I shouldn't read this in the morning as i am so hungry right now. Food looks AMAZING.

JOURNAL OF STYLE said...

Hmm... the food! So yummy everything, Rowena! And the place looks very cozy too! Perfect for romantic date with the hubby! <3 Happy you enjoyed it, guys!

xxx Ira
JOURNAL OF STYLE / BLOGLOVIN