How do we love New York City's El Rey Café and Luncheonette? We couldn't even begin to count the ways.…But we're gonna try! Here are just a few.
This is a seriously small restaurant—it only seats 15!—and kitchen. But that doesn't limit the quality of the food that chef Gerardo Gonzalez cooks up for breakfast, lunch, and everything snacky. Gonzalez explains that the restaurant doesn't have enough space to serve up meat-heavy dishes, so they rely on hearty whole grains and plenty of good seasoning to build big flavor. And boy, does it pay off. The Grains and Crudité salad is a textural wonder, with crunchy pecans, crisp shaved veggies, and chewy farro.
Gonzalez says that not only do diners chat him up about the menu, they ask him for decorating tips (Hey, a small kitchen is something most city dwellers can understand). Hanging racks make efficient use of the space, and it never feels cluttered. Bright big windows, hand-written menus, and plenty of plants give the entire space a cheery, not cramped, vibe. Plus, there's just the right amount of neon signage (see the image above!).
The food at El Rey is so well-balanced and so perfectly seasoned that eating it feels like a treat. As Alison Roman, BA senior food editor, says, "When you have these things for lunch…you feel really good about your day. You don't feel like you need to go take a nap." And that's exactly what The New Healthy is all about.
To learn more about why we're digging on El Rey, check out the video below.
