Rocking Horse Cafe

People go to The Rocking Horse Cafe for the freshly baked tortilla chips and world class margaritas, they stay for the flavorful and create menu options and they return again for the family-like service. The staff at The Rocking Horse Cafe is friendly and welcoming and dining there is always a guaranteed good time. Lively atmosphere and modern, artsy decor keep the energy up in this Chelsea landmark.

The Rocking Horse set the mood for a great evening with friends. The oranges and reds of the interior exude warmth and the music matches the upbeat chatter of the hip dining crowd. The bar serves up cocktails with a lively kick. The deliciously singular bits of mahi mahi swimming in coconut milk, ripe plantains, red onions, jalapenos and cilantro melted in my mouth. And the dashing server was the spitting image of Gael Garcia Bernal as he rode a motorbike up the Argentinian coast. A Chelsea restaurant can't get more festive or flamboyant than this.

My friend and I had dinner for the first time at Rocking Horse the other night and it was fantastic. The entire staff was very knowledgeable of all their entrees and was more than happy to explain several of the dishes to us. Even more impressive than their steak burritos and camarones con papaya are their selection of margaritas. Our waitress surprised us with a White Peach margarita and a Carmen Miranda (made with El Tesoro Silver and pineapple puree). The drinks were so good we had two more rounds! For a fun place with great food, drinks and a wait-staff that’s as hot as their spicy chips and salsa- I recommend Rocking Horse Café.

After not having been back at Rocking Horse in two years, I’m adding it to my list of restaurants to come back to. Last weekend’s dining experience with friends was overall more than satisfactory. The shrimp tamale appetizer was tasty. It was lightly drizzled with a chipotle sauce added a spicy kick to it. I also got the pan-seared tuna steak that was cooked perfectly to the way I asked for it, raw and juicy while crispy on the outside. Accompanied w/ delicious rice and little pieces of chorizo, it was a completely delectable dish. It does get a little loud in the restaurant, but not more than your average bistro. With its charming and friendly staff and delightful food, it was a pleasant place for a date with girlfriends.

This cafe serves up some of the most original and creative interpretations of Tex-Mex favorites. Not usually a huge fan of this type of cuisine, I was definitely blown away by the innovative use of unexpected ingredients, such as papaya with grilled shrimp and a calamari salad with a citrus dressing. Completely mouth-watering. The atmosphere is lively and welcoming, and the waitstaff is extremely knowledgeable and efficient. A perfect place for amazing food, good friends, and delectable cocktails that won't break the bank.

This place is definitely one of our favorites in Chelsea as far as Mexican goes. By far the best Margaritas in the neighborhood and the food is a great twist on the everyday Mexican. The last time we were there we had a super tasty appetizer of a hanger steak Sope (first time I've had this). It was a sort of thick version of tortilla laid flat with the steak on top. Yum. And my main course was free range chicken breast on mushroom-jalpeno rice. Yum-Yum. Overall the meal was great as usual. And the vibe is always fun. Especially on the weekends.

My experience at the Rocking Horse Cafe was wonderful. The menu is very diverse & food is upscale. Such dishes as seafood which you don't typically think of as Mexican. Our server, Diego, was very friendly, knowledgable & attentive. The food was delicious & artfully presented. The "happening" atmosphere & funky decor only add to the positive experience. Overall I was very pleased with my meal, service & suroundings & would recommend the Rocking Horse not only to lovers of Mexican cuisine, but to all.