NEW YORK—Truly authentic Mexican food doesn’t include tacos with braised meat fillings.
Chef and partner of Hecho en Dumbo, Danny Mena, is bringing Mexican tradition to the East Village with Sembrado’s Tacos al Pastor.
Sembrado’s, opening July 25, will be one of the first in New York to use the classical Mexican technique of slowly cooking marinated pork on a vertical rotisserie—called the trompo.
Grilled meat tacos, made with hand pressed corn tortillas, will be a staple on the menu.
“Al carbon is my favorite style of tacos, but you don’t see them here,” Mena said in a press release. “Their flavor profile has such a vibrant simplicity and purity that reflects the fundamentals of Mexican cuisine.”
He said they’re the missing link in New York’s Mexican food scene.
Sembrado’s menu offers a variety of grilled meats (including rib eye steaks, pork chops, salt cured beef, chorizo and chicken) from $3.50 to $7 per taco.
All meat is natural and antibiotic-free.
Sembrado’s is transparent about the origin of their meat: the pork is from Pennsylvania-raised Berkshire pigs; they serve Meyers beef from Colorado; and they buy free range chicken from the Hudson Valley.
The pastry chef is Fany Gerson, who used to work for Eleven Madison and Rosa Mexicano.
Sembrado offers a “Make-Your-Own Mexican Sundae” dessert menu.
Sundae options will include rotating ice cream flavors such as Mexican Vanilla, Strawberries and Sour Cream, and Horchata.
Each is coated with a choice of sweet tomatillo sauce, Mexican hot fudge, and goat’s milk caramel.
Toppings include candied pecans, puffed amaranth, and spicy candied oranges.
Sembrado will also carry a small rotating selection of Mexican popsicles, with flavors such as Pineapple Jalapeno, Hibiscus, Cucumber Lime, as well as the signature Sembrado flavor Mango and Camoy.
Gerson sources her ingredients from local, organic produce and dairy.
“Sembrado,” which means “sown,” not only refers to the integrity of their ingredients, but also to the celebration of their Mexican heritage.
Their cocktail menu is based on Mexican made liquor.
The restaurant is decorated with exposed brick walls and wooden beams, along with colorful Mexican handmade tiles and vintage Spanish-American movie posters.
Sembrado’s Tacos al Pastor
432 E. 13th St.
212-729-4206
www.sembradonyc.com
Hours
Mon through Wednesday from 11 a.m. to midnight. Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
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