Alison C.
Yelp
4.5 stars
When I discovered that Uno Mas was owned by some of my favorite Hoboken restauranteurs (owners of Grand Vin, Saku, and Green Rock), I was eager to give it a shot. The small dining room was cozy and welcoming, just like their gracious staff. The restaurant was also kid-friendly, which was great, as my dining companions had children. In fact, the kitchen even served the kids' menu items in silicone bowls!
While the restaurant did not have a liquor license, they did have a variety of "Mock-aritas", which were made from scratch using fresh fruit and produce. Apparently, we could have brought our own liquor to infuse the beverages with, but we stuck to the alcohol-free versions. I did not want something super sweet or fruity, so I opted for the Jalapeno Mint flavor and fell completely in love with its blend of tart lime, refreshing mint, and spicy pepper. Plus, it was served in a margarita glass with a tajin-salted rim, giving the illusion of consuming the full boozy variety. We sipped on our glamourous mocktails while munching on some blue corn tortilla chips and guacamole. The chips were crunchy and well-salted, but were sadly served as a small portion in a tiny bowl. The Guacamole was chunky, fresh, and topped with diced cilantro, jalapenos, and red onions.
The entrée menu included a bunch of interesting dishes and even a taco platter, which included your choice of any 3 taco varieties with a side of rice and beans for $26. Given that the tacos cost $8-$9 individually, it was a decent deal, so that was what most of us decided to order. The Pork Al Pastor version included achiote-marinated, shredded pork that was topped with roasted pineapple chunks, cilantro leaves, and diced onions. The sweetness of the fruit was a great complement to the smoke of the pork marinade. The Mushroom Carnitas taco was packed with slow-roasted, royal trumpet mushrooms, poblano peppers, and guacamole. It might have been messy, but it sure was delicious! Lastly, the Scallop one included a singular scallop that had been sliced in half, as well as fried brussels sprout leaves, and a cream corn puree. It was a blend of 3 of my favorite food items. All of the tacos were delicious, and I loved that their soft, corn shells appeared to have been homemade.
We were all very impressed with the food and service at Uno Mas. However, we did feel that the portions were on the smaller side, as we left rather hungry.