Empellon Cocina-- 105 1st ave, NYC

Empellon Cocina is a mexican restaurant that just recently opened on 1st avenue.  But this isn't your typical mexican restaurant where everything is about tacos and burritos.  They cook mexican foods you don't come across so often, and they specialize in homemade varieties of salsa.  To start, we got the Smoked Cashew and the Tomatillo-Chipotle salsas served with Masa crisps, which are humongous fancy chips.  The tomatillo-chipotle was extremely spicy and immediately set my mouth on fire.  It was a good thing we got the cashew, which cooled it down with a sweet and creamy taste.  For the main appetizer my mom and dad got the Rhubarb with chipotle and walnut salad.  The rhubarb was tangy, but not falling apart.  The walnut chipotle dressing was very earthy.  Delicious salad.  For my entree I ordered the Chicken Meatballs with Masa Polenta and Tinga Poblana.  I dipped the meatball in the polenta, which imparted a nice cheesy flavor.  Very appetizing.  My dad had the Maine Diver Scallops with English Peas and Chilaquiles Verdes.  The scallops were sweet and the green sauce was cool and refreshing.  My mom ordered the Lamb Barbacoa with Chickpea, Cucumber and Pasilla Oaxaquena, two types of lamb.  It was probably the softest and most tender loin I've ever tasted in my life.  The little salad on the side added some extra texture, and the shredded lamb tasted yummy with the really spicy salsa.  At the end of the meal, my mom asked to have the cashew salsa to go, but the waiter thought she was joking.  5 minutes later my mom asked again and finally got it.  She used it as salad dressing for arugula and pears.  It was scrumptious.  Overall, I give Empellon Cocina 4 pineapples.  Till next review- tdg