Xilonen

"Justin Bazdarich is the chef-owner of three Brooklyn restaurants: Bib Gourmand Speedy Romeo in Clinton Hill, One Star Oxomoco in Greenpoint and, joining MICHELIN Guide New York this year, Bib Gourmand Xilonen in Williamsburg. Xilonen's carrot tostada is a highlight, featuring carrot three ways on a crispy tortilla with a navy bean purée spiced with carrot purée as well, serrano peppers, caramelized onions, and a carrot top salsa verde. The restaurant focuses on sustainability and plant-based Mexican cuisine, aiming to shift public interest towards dishes that are not only delicious but also environmentally friendly." - The MICHELIN Guide

"Updated December 6th, 2021 Xilonen is located in a huge corner space on the Greenpoint side of McCarren Park, and, like its sister restaurant in the same neighborhood (Oxomoco), this place serves Mexican food best enjoyed with a drink outside. There are, however, two main difference between the two spots—the first being that the menu here is entirely vegan and vegetarian. The second (related) difference is that, a few hours after eating here, stunning vegetables will appear in places you don’t expect. You’ll think, “Is that a traffic light turning yellow, or is it a tender root vegetable with an impeccable char?” Or possibly, “That rubber cone has an incandescent orange hue and looks delicious. Should I eat it?” This vegetarian food at Xilonen is thrilling to eat, partly because it’s prettier than the majority of things other places serve and partly because of Xilonen’s commitment to letting vegetables be the stars of every bite. photo credit: David A. Lee Xilonen has a dia menu (served from 10am to 4pm) and a noche menu (available 5pm to 10pm), but most items are on both, with few exceptions. One key exception? The masa pancakes with maple syrup and salted butter. After an encounter with this dish at brunch, we nearly gave up on classic flapjacks altogether. These light and fluffy hot cakes taste like plump corn tortillas, but with a slightly sweet taste from the masa. Xilonen isn’t the best place to bring a large group, since the portions are on the smaller side and, if you’re sharing between five or six people, everybody will probably only get one bite of each dish. But if you’re looking for somewhere where the vegetables star in a leading role, Xilonen is the spot. Food Rundown photo credit: David A. Lee Avocado Tostada The theme of this tostada (which you should order) is the color green. It has a stack of microgreens on top, as well as a thick layer of chunky avocado. The only downside of this dish is the fact that it’s hard to split—so order one for each person at your table. photo credit: David A. Lee Fajitas Quesadilla The fajitas quesadilla is one of the best ways to experience Xilonen’s exceptional masa. Factor in the sautéed vegetables and melty cheese, and this an unmissable option on the menu. photo credit: David A. Lee Leek Tostada One of the more filling things to order. The potato-leek combo is super hearty, and sometimes they switch this up and offer it in flauta form. photo credit: David A. Lee Masa Pancake A dish that almost makes us want to disown all other kind of pancakes. These light and fluffy hot cakes pack a lot of corn flavor, which makes them slightly sweet and slightly savory. photo credit: Xilonen Churros The only dish we don’t actively recommend at Xilonen? These churros. They can be stiff and lukewarm, without the doughy center that we value in quality churros." - Team Infatuation

"Masa Pancake After an encounter with Xilonen’s masa pancakes, we were tempted to disown classic flapjacks altogether. These light and fluffy hot cakes taste like plump corn tortillas but with a slightly sweet taste from the corn. Served in little triangles with maple syrup and salted butter, these are yet another example of how fresh masa can make a great dish even better. Plus, unlike most breakfast carbs, these remarkable corn cakes are available on weekdays from 12-4pm and weekends starting at 10am. Try them the next time you want to eat something that’ll make you dissociate from reality on a Wednesday afternoon." - Hannah Albertine, Nikko Duren, Carlo Mantuano

"This masa-fueled restaurant in Greenpoint, from the team behind Oxomoco, feels like a neighborhood hangout for retired art directors and people who were probably paid to model Calvin Klein denim in the ’90s. Whether we stop by during the day for masa pancakes or at night for potato flautas and mezcal, we like to join the stylish scene on the patio out front. People watching aside, we can always count on Xilonen to treat corn with the respect it deserves. They offer several varietals of the rainbow-colored superfood in the form of crispy tostadas, crunchy tacos, and giant quesadillas. But what really sets Xilonen apart from most of the other new Mexican spots in NYC is that vegetables are the star of every bite. From tender, sweet glazed carrots to creamy guacamole with crunchy winter greens, the vegetables at this Mexican spot will make you want to hug the nearest farmer." - Hannah Albertine, Nikko Duren, Carlo Mantuano

"​​Xilonen is one of the most exciting new restaurants not just in Greenpoint, but in NYC. This all-day cafe (from the same team behind Oxomoco), looks right out onto McCarren Park, and serves an entirely vegan and vegetarian menu of inventive Mexican dishes like a purple potato taco with griddled cheese, or a scrambled egg tostada with salsa macha. It’s a fantastic place for a midweek lunch, casual dinner, or brunch that feels special without being too expensive - nothing costs more than $14." - Hannah Albertine, Max Bonem, Nikko Duren, Carlo Mantuano