La Pulperia

From the outside, it looks like a dingy restaurant I wouldn't have picked out.  But once inside, it's an unique 5-star that deserves every star it gets!

The setting inside is a bit cramp given the tight space but it's comfortable and quite romantic.  The waiter is friendly, extremely knowledgeable, and low-key.  We ended up ordering the braised-rib, fish rib, and grilled paiche fish.  Each was uniquely flavored and cooked perfectly.  My dish, "fish rib" is actually a giant Brazilian fish called Pacu, with bones large enough that the white fish came out looking like a slab of ribs when basted with a slightly spicy BBQ sauce.  It was a LOT of protein, and it was also VERY flavorful.  I am usually skeptical of cocktail drinks in photo, but mine was fantastic blend of coconut, passion fruit, and rum.  

Cool dishes, fanciful drinks aplenty, what makes La Pulperia 5-star is the details: timing, quality, and preparation of the food; the wait staff; the menu; and most of all, the unique concept of somewhat rare items of Latin American cuisine.

Noisy, crowded but OMG good! Give me a killer passion fruit cocktail, some of the best polenta I've ever had, a very funky, delicious Pacu fish and some Queso Fondito and call me done!
Add super friendly service, reasonably quick service and call me delightfully done!

Thank you Yelpers.  So many choices in Hell's Kitchen but thanks to Yelp I was able to zero in on something interesting and good.  

I was on my own this night so I had a seat at the bar for dinner.  Lucky night for me. So many interesting choices on the menu but Louis (the bartender) was extremely helpful and friendly and his recommendations (based on the questions he asked about my likes & dislikes) were fantastic.  

The rest of the staff was very friendly too.

I ate tapas style, trying several appetizers.  The Salmon Brûlée and Taquitos de Langosta (mini lobster tacos) were amazing.  And Louis' cocktails were great too (usually I'm a beer or wine drinker, but he convinced me to try a couple of the house specialties).  

I'll def be back next visit to NYC!