Brooklyn is Hot for Mexican Food at Gran Electrica
Mexican Restaurant Supports Its Sister Eatery After Sandy
Glenwood residents…there are several reasons why you should hop on the F, A, C, 2, or 3 trains, or grab the East River Ferry, and head over to Brooklyn top-notch Mexican restaurant, Gran Electrica. First, and most important, the Mexican food here is, in a word, outstanding! Gran Electrica is one of those places that puts a lot of love and soul into its cooking, and it shows in every dish we chose. But second, and also important, Hurricane Sandy hit "lower DUMBO" really hard, including Glenwood favorite (and New York Times two-starred) restaurant Governor, which is also owned by the Gran Electrica crew. Governor was pretty much destroyed and the owners are trying to raise at least $100,000 to rebuild and reopen–so any money spent at Gran Electrica will help get its sister restaurant back on its feet. And we say hooray to that!
Margaritas Compliment Gran Electrica's Menu
On our visit to DUMBO's Gran Electrica last weekend, the popular mexican restaurant was bustling despite all of the businesses by the river still closed from Sandy. We were there for brunch and can say that Brooklyn brunch goers seeking tequila will find the Gran Electrica margarita menu pefectly suited to the Mexican food. We watched our friendly barkeep mix a hundred drinks, of which probably almost all were margaritas, highlighted by the Margarita De Remolacha made bright red with beet juice. While the drinks certainly get you in the mood for a good meal, the food is equally capable of making you a bit giddy. There are several terrific taco options on the Gran Electrica menu and we chose the Pescado, lightly breaded fish smothered but not overwhelmed by crispy slaw, creamy mayo, and guacamole. Our baseline for fish tacos is the hall-of-famers at Rockaway Taco, and Gran Electrica's version is as close as we've ever eaten to matching that magic, especially if you spoon on any the four different hot sauces presented table side. A true summer-in-wintertime treat found in Brooklyn.
Pozole Verde and Other Rare Mexican Food Specialties
Continuing onward in our Gran Electrica mexican food feast, an appetizer-sized serving of Higado, the perfectly-seared chicken livers tossed with chewy croutons, roasted tomatillo salsa, and onions, a terrific combo of rich, earthy protein and bright, crunchy veggies. But the thing we're already craving, and will likely return to eat all winter long, was the Gran Electrica Pozole Verde, a relatively rare dish here in NYC. The spicy, soupy stew thick with hominy and pork has a broth redolent with tomatillo and pumpkin seeds. The dish can be further enlivened by a big piece of chicharron (which is fried pork rind), avocado slices, diced onion, lime wedges, dark Mexican oregano, and plenty of jalapeno…all added by you! This is fantastic. The space is pretty and fun–you enter into the bar area; the dining room is to the right–the crowd lively, the staff total pros. A winner all the way.
Gran Electrica details
Gran Electrica is locate on Front Street, just north of Fulton Street, in the Brooklyn neighborhood of DUMBO. Gran Electrica is open on Monday through Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., on Friday until 11:00 p.m., on Saturday from 5:00 until 11:30, and on Sunday from 5:00 until 10:30. Gran Electrica also serves a weekend brunch, from 12:00 until 3:00. For more information and a look at the complete Gran Electrica menu, please see the restaurant's website, here.
Posted in NYC Dining, Other Neighborhoods | Tagged dumbo brunch • mexican food restaurants • mexican restaurant brooklyn • mexican restaurant dumbo
