There's no shortage of fiestas this Cinco de Mayo, so pull out the maracas and get going. more ›

24-year-old chef Jessica Floyd has been working between 14 and 17 hours a day for the last two weeks at Islero, the new “modern Spanish” restaurant on 50th Street. The chef, who also handles the pastry program, hasn’t had a break since the place opened 11 days ago, and things aren’t slowing down any time soon. Islero will open for lunch service on March 3rd, and Floyd’s working on a bunch of ideas, such as a tasting menu paired with Spanish and Portuguese wines and a petit four take-home bag for every guest. more ›

Mercato 55: The other buzzed-about opening this week is this Meatpacking District African brasserie. The menu at Mercato 55 – the name means “market” in Italian – is intended to evoke the vibe of Africa's largest outdoor market, Addis Merkato in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. Two floors accommodate 150 diners; earth tones, exposed wood and murals painted with scenes from African markets add to the intended ambience. The food isn’t confined to Ethiopian fare, but there are Ethiopian classics like a dish of chicken stewed with onions, ginger, garlic, and spices served in a cast-iron pot, accompanied by traditional injera bread. A small plates menu has a wide range of dishes, such as merguez sausage, corn pap and chili mustard sauce. Large plates cost $16-$32; the cheapest being a burger with green tomato and awase mayo. And dessert brings out Homer Simpson’s inner soul brother: African doughnuts. 55 Gansevoort St. (212) 255-8555.
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