NYC Restaurants

Chef Frank Maldonado who took on Bobby Flay in an empanada throwdown, is now showcasing his own Puerto Rican cuisine at Barlovento. The sleek restaurant is serving up Latin favorites like mofongo, seafood paella, octopus salad, fried marinated pork and, of course, empanadas. Desserts bring passion fruit crème brulee and apple brioche bread pudding. At the bar, look for mojitos, Cuba Libres and the "Avogrita," an avocado margarita.

- Thomas Rafael