El Parador Café
325 East 34th Street
New York, NY 10016
212.679.6812
www.elparadorcafe.com/


Facade


Interior


Menu


Complimentary warm chips with warm salsa


Guacamole with Chips - Handmade to order in our 43-Year-Old Molcajete - $7


Quesadillas with Three Mushrooms (3/4 was eaten by us)- $8


Fajitas de Carne Char-Roasted Sirloin. Served with Saffron Rice, Refried Beans, Roasted Peppers, Guacamole, Sour Cream, and Tortillas of your choice(not included)- $13


Paella - $27


My coworkers and I enjoying desserts


Flan De La Casa - Traditional egg and milk custard. Caramel-Coffee Jus. - $7


Me with Tres Leche

El Parador Café was established in 1959 and is the oldest Mexican restaurant in New York City. Respected as having the best Margaritas in the city by New York Press and the best Ceviche by The New York Times. Carlos Jacott founded El Parador in the fifties and nurtured the original establishment on 2nd Avenue and 31st Street. Needing more room for growth, the location was moved to our present address at 325 East 34th Street.

My coworkers decided to treat me to a birthday lunch at El Parador, a beautiful decorated restaurant. It feels homey as if I'm having a food at a family kitchen. Light spanish music in the atmosphere. It was quiet when I got in and then it was getting crowded when we left. The service was very sweet. We were chomping on the complimentary baked chips and warm salsa. I love the three mushroom quesadillas - melt in my mouth. I ordered Paella without chorizo - it was so yummy. My Paella was too big for a little me so I packed it for leftover, which is great advantage.

I definitely couldn't wait for the desserts. I guessed one of them overheard that we were celebrating for my birthday so they came over with tres leche with a candle lit. I was shocked about it. It was very sweet of them. We also ordered flan to share among the four of us. The Flan de la Casa has a licorice or liquor taste. It was a very exquisite lunch from my coworkers.