What's kooking?

When you get the opportunity to eat at a celebrated chef's restaurant, there are only two questions to ask: when should I be there, and how many meals should I skip to make room for the delicious feast? I was lucky enough to step from the tarmac of La Guardia into Centrico, Aarón Sanchez's restaurant in New York City and when I arrived, I was starving. Luckily, the restaurant was hosting a charity cocktail party, so mere steps inside the door, I was feasting on delicious appetizers like thick slabs of steak with chimichurri sauce, mini corn cakes with guacamole, and homemade nacho chips with spicy salsa.

Before my meal, I also had the pleasure of meeting Aarón, and chatting about his career, his spirtual beliefs (he's a Buddhist), and (perhaps most importantly) which dishes on the menu are the best. As you'll see in the video, he has a few recommendations (notably the ceviche and the mole), but says choosing one dish would be like asking a parent which of their children they love more.

I'm glad I had some guidance about what to order, because there are so many tempting items on the menu, from the expected dishes like tacos, chips and guacamole, and queso fundido, to family recipes, and lots of grilled meat and fish. Ultimately, I tried two fruity and refreshing margaritas (one frozen, one on the rocks), soft shell crab tacos, a Mexican-style caesar salad, a grilled chicken entree, and churros for dessert. Take a look at the gallery for photos and my notes about each dish.

My only regret is that we didn't order the guacamole. Plate after plate of house-made guac and chips were served to customers all around us and based on how their eyes instantly lit-up at the sight of it, I think it's safe to say that the guac is a sure-fire hit at Centrico. Another dish that my guest sampled (many times!) at the cocktail party was the ceviche. She commented that it was some of the best she's ever had. It was exactly how ceviche should be: subtly flavoured and packed with big clumps of the freshest fish possible.

Finally, if you're looking for some insider gossip about Aarón, I have to admit that I've got nothing too juicy to offer. The man is open, generous, and completely down to earth, even though at this point, with two sucessful restaurants and his own show on Food Network, Chefs vs. City, he could afford not to be. He is a flirt though, I can say that.

Related: 

• Interview: Chris Cosentino Talks Chefs vs. City
• Chefs vs. City