Casa Carmen Tribeca

"This sleeper is the project of two grandsons of one of Mexico City’s most distinguished chefs, Carmen Ramírez Degollado, who grew up in Veracruz and the menu reflects that in a big way. You’ve never had a better or sharper version of the classic fish Veracruz, which shines with tomatoey goodness — and no chiles to speak of. The menu is filled with surprises, like garnachas topped with brisket and ‘taters, and huauzontles made into pillowy fritters. The serene interior is decorated with Oaxacan pottery." - Robert Sietsema

"Casa Carmen is named after Carmen Ramírez Degollado — known as Titita — an 84-year-old Mexico City restaurateur who runs one of the most recognized restaurants in Mexico City, what started as El Bajio and has become a chain. She was born in Xalapa, the inland capital of Veracruz state and is celebrated for her labor-intensive homestyle regional cooking. Brunch items include ceviche verde, a menu section of tacos, chilaquiles, corn pancakes, and enmoladas xico." - Eater Staff

"Casa Carmen is a fancy restaurant in Tribeca where you can go for a nice night out, and they also have some of the more fancy tacos on this list. At $16-$19 for two, they’re pricey, but quite large, and all of them come piled with so much filling that it’s challenging to close them. The ones with huge slabs of tender and juicy beef tongue are the best lengua tacos we’ve ever had, and we're also fans of the tacos with lamb barbacoa." - neha talreja, kenny yang, carina finn koeppicus, willa moore, will hartman

"With the opening of Casa Carmen in Tribeca and, more recently, in Flatiron, Manhattan is home to destination worthy spots that highlight dishes from Veracruz. Casa Carmen is named after Carmen Ramírez Degollado and represents the port city of Veracruz's cuisine. The decor in both locations is nearly identical, both are comfortable and cavernous premises with a faint bronze glow, lined with barro negro clay pots from Oaxaca. The menus are nearly identical, offering unique dishes such as a crisp-skinned branzino filet in a sauce of sliced tomatoes, green olives, and caperberries; pollo con mole Xico; fideo seco; garnachas orizabeñas; huauzontles; and a flat huarache corn cake. Desserts like churros are also a highlight." - Robert Sietsema

"Casa Carmen is the only place outside of Mexico where you can try some signature dishes from chef Carmen Ramirez Degollado’s El Bajío restaurant empire. (It’s run by two of her grandsons.) This upscale spot in Tribeca focuses on traditional Mexican food that can be found all over Veracruz, Puebla, and Oaxaca, all of which is served in a room with earthy decor that makes you think you're at a hacienda-like resort where you'd book a horseback riding lesson. Order the refreshing ceviche with just the right amount of acid, the tostadas topped with shredded duck, and the chicken drenched in pleasantly bitter and sweet mole de Xico that's made with only 37 ingredients. On your way out, you'll see a big communal table that looks like it could host a council of supervillains (or, you know, a birthday party), so think of this place the next time you organize a big group dinner. photo credit: Max Flatow" - Kenny Yang