Janine P.
Yelp
Bar Cruzo anchors the corner of 3rd Avenue and 94th Street in Bay Ridge, serving up Ecuadorian cuisine that's roughly half seafood--think ceviches, shellfish and daily whole-fish specials--alongside chicken, beef and pork dishes. Stepping inside, you'll find a sleek, modern dining room bathed in warm light and furnished with clean lines. When we visited on a Monday at 1:30pm, the pace was unhurried--just a handful of tables occupied--while Merengue tunes poured through the speakers, keeping the energy lively even in a midday lull.
We slid in on a quiet Monday at 1:30pm--just enough Merengue to tap your foot without needing earplugs--and were promptly offered fizzy or flat water (fizzy, obviously). Enter Lindsey, our server and culinary tour guide, armed with a friendly smile and a QR code to unlock the menu.
To start, we couldn't resist "Mama María's" Shrimp Ceviche, served alongside crisp, house-made plantain chips. Imagine a citrus bomb--bright lime juice, fresh cilantro--dancing with the perfect pinch of salt, all balanced on those impossibly crunchy chips. If Bar Cruzo sold it by the gallon, we'd clear out their stock.
For mains, the Chuzo Combo is the ultimate choose-your-own-adventure: pick three skewers from chicken thigh, NY strip steak, marinated pork butt, spicy chorizo, or a veggie option. Each arrives drizzled with a tangy "magical" sauce and accompanied by golden yuca croquettes, buttery Andean corn, and a shot of house hot sauce guaranteed to wake your taste buds.
Our MVPs were the chicken and the strip steak--both meltingly tender, richly seasoned, and cooked medium-rare to perfection. The pork was solid, though next time I'd brine it for an extra punch; my dining partner swore the chorizo was a revelation of smoky spice.
Pro tip: those online photos downplay the portions. We happily packed up enough leftovers to fuel a small army. Lindsey tempted us with desserts--think velvet chocolate creme brulee and creamy bread pudding--but we were so blissfully sated that the most decadent thing we could manage was dreaming about next time.
At $85 for an appetizer and two hearty entrees (before tip), Bar Cruzo feels like a steal--$42.50 per person for a ticket to Ecuador's vibrant flavors, right in Bay Ridge. Whether you're a seafood aficionado or a meat-and-potatoes loyalist, this spot has earned a permanent place on our list of neighborhood champions.
Next visit, we're eyeing their whole fish special and swapping stories with the chef about that secret ceviche marinade--because once you've tasted Bar Cruzo, every other meal feels like just an appetizer.