FEATURED LISTINGS Angelo's Pizza· You haven't tasted pizza until you've tried their coal-oven ... Bangkok House· Thai food to die for at reasonable prices in a casual, attra... Lucille's Bar & Grill at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill· One of New York's newest and most exciting nightclubs with l... Bice Ristorante· A sumptuous combination of traditional and new trends in Ita... Bill's Gay Nineties· Affordable food at a former speakeasy with turn-of-the-centu... No one (especially out-of-towners) expects to find a restaurant like Cancun in Manhattan. This 20-year old Mexican eating place on 8th Avenue, in the upper 50s is, well, homey. It’s a casual, friendly, down-to-earth spot run by Becky and Ricardo Diaz, a warm, appealing young couple who go back and forth between their nearby home where they take care of three young children and the restaurant. At Cancun they enthusiastically greet diners, watch over their sharp, knowledgeable wait staff, keep the rollicking though well behaved bar crowd happy and see to it that the kitchen is up to speed. At times that kitchen crew has to move and move fast to fill orders from a menu that lists 13 appetizers, about 46 entrees, 4 sandwiches and 6 desserts: everything from burgers to mega enchiladas. Cancun has survived the test of time. It was opened over two decades ago by Ms. Diaz’ father. Then and now it is a place of archways, clay pots, urns, South of the Border lanterns, wall masks, mustard colored walls, statues, candles and laughter. Newcomers walk through a lively working class bar crowd wearing baseball caps and cowboy hats to a more serene rear dining room. Noteworthy drinks served in glasses with cactus-shaped stems are the order of the day in both areas: mojitos and especially margaritas (try the terrific fresh mango) are among the City’s best. The robust and refined dishes at Cancun are preceded by a never ending parade of good, warm corn chips and zingy salsa. Among the tastiest starters are the cheese-rich quesadillas crowned with slices of nearly incendiary jalapenos and a guacamole salad of shredded greens topped with a generous dollop of contrasting avocado mash. Rather neutral plantains are given a welcome boost by their garlic butter sauce that sports a touch of corn flour, shrimp Cancun is a savory stew of crustations, tomatoes, onions and garlic that will greatly appeal to lovers of Italian food. Although the rice and refried beans here are standard, the chicken with mole sauce strikes a balance of chocolate and meat that is neither too sweet nor too bitter. Other entrees that more than passed muster were flautas, flour and corn tortillas stuffed with runny cheese and chimichangas or lightly fried flour tortilla torpedoes served with cooling sour cream and good guacamole. Desserts, fried ice cream, flan, sopapilla, etc. are predictable, but the peppy little Cancun is much better than that. 937 Eighth Ave. (btw. 55th & 56th Sts.), 212-307-7307. FEATURED LISTINGS Angelo's Pizza· You haven't tasted pizza until you've tried their coal-oven ... Bangkok House· Thai food to die for at reasonable prices in a casual, attra... Lucille's Bar & Grill at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill· One of New York's newest and most exciting nightclubs with l... Bice Ristorante· A sumptuous combination of traditional and new trends in Ita... Bill's Gay Nineties· Affordable food at a former speakeasy with turn-of-the-centu... Archives: New York City Dining - Authentic Greek, Italian & Japanese Favorites Downtown Dining - Great Restaurants Below 14th Street Victor’s Cafe: Traditional & Creative Cuban Cuisine New York City Dining - Simply Sensational Dishes at Simply Pasta New York City Dining - Mars 2112 New York City Dining - The Capital Grille New York City Dining - Darbar Indian Restaurant David Burke's New York City Restaurants Celebrate National Lemonade Day on Friday, August 20th New York City Dining - Transcendental Indian, Great Steaks, Late-Night Noshes & More Benjamin Steakhouse in New York City Is Seeing Stars! Lychee House: Fresh Spins on Oriental Favorites Summer Specials at Bangkok House in New York City's Times Square Patsy's Italian Restaurant Presents 'Swingin' Italiano' Tuesday, July 13th, 2010 Cuisine Corner - Cuban Cooking, Dining on the Water & More Salute! - Sophisticated Italian on the East Side
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