Two things there can never be enough of in the world (especially now): nachos and mezcal. The duo take center stage on Bleecker Street at Ghost Donkey, a newly-opened bar that doubles down on the two Mexican staples.
Headed up by AvroKO Hospitality Group—responsible for some of the more eccentric drinking options in NYC—the bar's got a lot going on decor-wise, too. There's the white donkey mascot (donkeys are heavily involved in the mezcal-making process), strands of red lights dangling from the ceiling, and depictions of many types of agave used to make mezcal.
The nachos operation is spearheaded by Chef Brad Farmerie, who tops crunchy chips with things like huitlacoche, epazote, cotija cheese and a poblano salsa and shrimp, a white cheddar sauce, tomatillo salsa and pickled red chilies. Besides nachos, there are smaller bites like a salmon ceviche and chips and guac, plus everyone gets a bowl of puffed up corn nuts just for walking through the door.
Cocktails come courtesy of Nacho Jimenez and Eben Freeman, who've employed the bar's agave spirits to do the heavy lifting. The Champagne Cobbler is a tart mixture of Herradura Plato, orange curacao, citrus and bitters, while the Mushroom Margarita employs a huitlacoche mezcal with lime, triple sec and a lava salt.
The El Burro for two is no doubt going to be the big seller for photo ops, as the large format cocktail (tequila, mezcal, aperol, grapefruit and chili) comes served in a ceramic vessel shaped like a donkey pulling a wagon full of flowers.
4 Bleecker Street, 212-254-0350, ghostdonkey.com
