A Brooklyn Cantina That’s Perfect for a Pregame | Eater NY

"Inspired by Mexico City cantinas, this Bed-Stuy spot leans into its role as a place primarily for drinking, pouring crowd-pleasing cocktails like Carajillos, Palomas, and a classic michelada, while the frozen Clamato paleta in the michelada de reversa melts somewhat unevenly into the drink. The menu focuses more on botanas, or snacks, than on mains, with small portions that work best as tasty, shareable bites to soak up the booze rather than a full dinner, though you can certainly eat a meal here. Much of the menu is vegetarian or can be made vegetarian, and about half of it is gluten-free. The chile-topped queso fundido is a fun, interactive snack — almost like an activity in seeing who can get the biggest cheese pull — and benefits from an extra side of tortillas, black beans, or avocado to bulk it up. Among the more substantial options, the fideo seco, short noodles topped with chorizo and black-garlic adobo sauce, shouldn’t be skipped; crema and cotija cheese help break up the savory intensity and add a cooling effect that comes in handy after eating a hot chile in the queso, and you can order the dish with avocado instead of chorizo. This is a great spot for pregaming before another function or filling up after, or for catching up over light snacks and drinks, especially on short notice, with the best cocktail deals during happy hour, which runs the first hour every day Olmo is open and the last. The rough-hewn stools, some with carved, wavy legs, look like art pieces and contribute to a chill, relaxed vibe in the dining room, though they’re skinny and low and better for perching than settling in — which fits the fact that you’re here for happy hour, not to stay all night." - Bettina Makalintal