Top-rated chef/owner Julieta Ballesteros (#1 and #2 Mexican chef in Zagats for 6 years running) invites you to enjoy her restaurant. Traditional Mexican cuisine with a formal French presentation – fusing Julieta’s Monterrey roots with her mastery of the French culinary techniques. Interior designed by internationally renowned Mexican designer Antonio Sandoal - playing with traditional Mexican colors and textures in a modern New York way. Original paintings on display by the celebrated artist and mother of the chef, del Bosque.
Come and discover a higher concept in Mexican food.
"The Crema prix-fixe lunch is an amazing bargain. The food is so wonderfully prepared and so beautifully presented. In the many years I've been coming here, I've NEVER had a bad meal, and that is quite a feat! It's equally lovely for dinner."
Dined on 6/10/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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"After a recent fantastic brunch at Crema it was time to return for dinner. Our meal was composed largely of the day's specials and a few additions to the menu since my last visit, and was amazing. Sophisitcated and inventive, a party for your palate. Add the friendly, helpful and efficient service and you've got a night to remember."
Dined on 6/07/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"This is a regular for us. We've been shut out a couple of times 12- 1ish Sunday without a reservation so it's smart to make one. The food is delicious. The service is attentive and the unlimited mimosas are delicious."
Dined on 6/02/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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"My first brunch at my go-to for haute Mexican food. Though dinners here have set the bar very high, brunch did not disappoint. Mexican style exggs benedict (w/salmon, zucchini corn cake) was an explosion of flavors and textures. My hard-to-please vegetarian guest had the vegetarian version of the brunch burrito, and could not have been happier. Mexican cuisine for brunch is a great idea when the food is this original and delicious."
Dined on 6/02/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"We always have a great time at Crema. The dishes are inventive, full of flavor and presented playfully. The staff in engaging and attentive. There are very few Mexican restaurants in NYC with food as creative and refined as at Crema."
Dined on 5/06/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, vibrant bar scene, late-night find, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"The food here is always inspired. One appetizer or entree better than the next. This was our fifth visit .We found that the two special cocktails we tried were really disappointing and not worth drinking--a sad twist."
Dined on 5/24/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"While everything was OK, and service was earnest enough, the NY Times review from 2006 remains true. To paraphrase: "...the story of Crema, which entrances and then disappoints you, its come-on stronger than its follow-through...Ms. Ballesteros's carefully considered recipes aren't being matched by sufficiently careful execution." Even the waitress announced that the food was "heavy," albeit with a smile. We won't be going again...and will be looking for more authentic Mexican cuisine next time anyway."
Dined on 5/17/2013
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"We had a good brunch. It was the perfect way to enjoy Mother's Day with our 88-year-old mom. She's a very picky eater, but she ate everything on her plate. The serving portions were huge. I would definitely return to the restaurant."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: great for brunch, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"I was expecting much more from Crema based on the articles and reviews I have read and a chef from the FCI. First, I'm not sure there was any tequila in our margaritas. We had the grilled vegetable salad appetizer which was good and I'd order it again. For entrees, we shared the duck mole and portobello rellano. The duck itself was tasty but I was surprised by the extreme sweetness of the mole sauce. I liked the portobello rellano. It was a light crispy coating to it, not your usual heavy rellano batter. We also had a side of the corn which was our favorite plate of the night."
Dined on 5/08/2013
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"Nothing about the food here was "refined Mexican." Everything was either greasy, runny, or flavorless. We even sent the Hamachi ceviche back for being too fishy and warm."
Dined on 04/25/2013
2005
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"The restaurant is not as advertised. It appears to b this fine dining restaurant and its completely the opposite! It's a casual attire, and it was advertised as fine dining. very small and cluttered.was disappointed!"
Dined on 04/20/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies
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"We came for the unlimited mimosa brunch and the restaurant was very busy. Our server was very good and the food was great. My only complaint is that we made a reservation for 2 pm and we weren't seated until 2:45 pm."
Dined on 04/07/2013
2004
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"The food was very good, as always, but the restaurant was packed, tables too close together, very noisy and, apparently, is understaffed. Our server declined our request for after meal coffee (part of the brunch package) citing their one hour seating rule. Crema is not organized well enough to enforce such a rule, taking way to long to serve the meal. After we were told we could move to the crowded bar if we wanted coffee (we did not), we then had to wait again for the check...and again for a server to pick up and return the credit card...certainly long enough to have had the coffee we were denied. Too bad this restaurant, which had been an ideal brunch option, has declined so far in service."
Dined on 04/07/2013
2007
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"The best french toast I've ever had and the unlimited momosas were great. Staff was very friendly. The staff was very friendly and accommodated most of our needs. The dowbside was the cramped table seating, but other than that it was s good experience. Will be going back in the near future."
Dined on 03/30/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for brunch, neighborhood gem
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"I had been wanting to go to Crema for a while. I finally decided I'd try their brunch. The food is presented well and is good, but boy the service is lacking. We were seated and waited for a waiter for 10 minutes without acknowledgement. Although she was pleasant in taking the order we only saw her when she brought our drinks and refills (that we had to request), and eventually had to flag someone down to pay. Bottom line, I wouldn't go back for lousy service and decent food."
Dined on 03/24/2013
2008
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"Loved Crema!! Guacamole Combo was awesome as an appetizer. Burrito de Atun & Pastel Azteca for our entrees. Fresh, flavorful -- loved the variety of sauces. Definitely welcome explosions of flavor from start to finish. Service was excellent - very attentive, nice music mix and a "classic" margarita - old school -- was mixed perfectly. Light & tasty Choco Flan for dessert. First time there -- very pleasantly surprised."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2012
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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"The tables are crammed together, and the service is spotty. Our salads at under the warming lamps as we waited for our third entree. It took two additional requests to get the sides we ordered. We were told we'd have to wait for the salt and pepper because they were being used by other patrons, but they never arrived. The food was fine, but not worth all the annoyances. We won't return."
Dined on 03/17/2013
2010
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"Great spot for happy hour. Awesome $5 margaritas! and delicious upscale Mexican eats, including a very good guacamole, housemade tortillas. The pastel azteca is excellent."
Dined on 03/11/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, late-night find, neighborhood gem
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"Great happy hour until 7PM. Not your run of the mill Mexican food. Everything is wonderfully spiced. The duck is fantastic and so are the shrimp quesadillas."
Dined on 03/13/2013
2007
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"We went a few days ago for the first time and what an experience it was. We felt welcome the moment we stepped into the restaurant, the host was very nice and sat us promptly, our waitress Erica gave us an introduction of what to expect and she was spot on. The food is a beautiful fusion of mexican and french cuisine. It was the most delicious meal I've ever had. That in addition to outstanding service made our night. Definitely going back for more. The duck mole and the tuna burrito are a must."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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"Best Mexican food north of the border.this is the real deal folks ....not your average Tex-Mex burrito fare ....authentic central coast Mexican baby!! What an experience !!"
Dined on 03/02/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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"Thanks to Omar (Bartender), Pablo (Waiter) and Rafael (Manager), we had an awesome time at Crema. Great mojitos and steak tacos. The intimate room was warm, lively and fun. We will definitely return."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2004
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, hot spot
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"We went for brunch and it was probably the best brunch Ive ever had! The nonstop delicious mimosas were perfect! We both had the chilaquiles which tasted as authentic as it comes!! Loved loved loved"
Dined on 02/24/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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"Nice place to go for lunch after visiting the Rubin Museum. The prix-fixe menu had a nice selection but we all ordered a la carte. Good guacamole and chips. I had the burrito de mole poblano with chicken and enjoyed it. Nice presentation. One of my friends enjoyed the quesadilla de carne asada. Lovely service. Worth a visit."
Dined on 02/20/2013
2004
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"I've been to Crema several times and have always had a great experience. However, it was unbelievably crowded this last time I went and I wasn't seated close to 30 min after my reservation time (maybe more). Was seated without any menus and service was a little slow in general. They were great about keeping the drinks going, which is always fun. Overall, love the place, but was disappointed this one time."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, hot spot
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