Toloache 82

Welcome to Toloache (pronounced toh-lo-AH-tchay), chef-owner Julian Medina's contemporary Mexican bistro located in the Upper East Side. Toloache is named after a flowering plant famed in Mexico for its use in love potions. We hope that when you dine with us you too will fall under the spell of chef Medina's creative cooking, which incorporates seasonal and natural ingredients and more than a...

"Deservedly popular", these "haute cantinas" ply "palate-pleasing" Mexican fare served by an "aim-to-please" staff; sure, it can be "jammed and noisy", but a "dazzling array" of margaritas provides some distraction; P.S. a FiDi counter-serve taqueria caters to the lunch crowd.

Upcoming offshoot of the popular Mexican bistro and taqueria.

An uptown branch brings Julian Medina’s food close to where he started, at Zócalo (now Flex Mussels). His new place replicates many design elements of his theater district flagship, including colorful Talavera tiles at the ceviche bar. — Florence Fabricant

Zocalo’s Julian Medina namechecks a Mexican plant used in love potions. Upbeat spot, with pretty lamps, splashes of color, lots of tile. Expansive tequila selection, cool cocktail tweaks (the house margarita comes with hibiscus and blueberry). Ceviche and guacamole bars lead the way for bistro takes on creative Mex. Tacos made with chile-rubbed steak, veal head, or chapulines (you know, those...