I am not the biggest fan of the East Village, in particular Alphabet City as it is such a long trek from where I live in Harlem. However, there are exceptions if what I am going to is worth the trip and then some. Esperanto, located on Avenue C between East 9th and East 10th Street, is one of those rare exceptions as it brings a ton of color and flavor to this particular area that is definitely a place to go to now and when the warmer weather hits! Here’s why.
Esperanto has some fantastic menus that truthfully highlight Latin cuisine at its best, including a Late Night menu from 12AM to 2AM on Friday & Saturday and a Happy Times menu from 4PM to 6PM every day! Featured on these menus are scrumptious items including Snapper Ceviche, Empanadas, Calamari Frito and so much more!
They also have great deals on their Happy Times menu, drink wise, including $9 cocktails, $5 beers and $7 wells, wines and sangria. Drink up!
They also throw some pretty spectacular events on top of the delicious food and drink that provide so much more than your typical restaurant. Included in that lineup are free salsa lessons on Mondays from 7:30-9:30, free open mic night Tuesdays from 7:30-9:30, late night jams on Friday and Saturday from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. with DJ Mirlet and DJ Leticia, who spin a range of hip hop/R&B/funk jams.
So affordable and tasty food and drink, live music, colorful setting and a good time? What’s to miss! I highly recommend trying out Esperanto the next time you are in the East Village and are looking to have fun with your friends, family and more!
For more information on Esperanto, check out their official site.