I had wanted something really awesome to move into this spot. Before, it had been a really shitty Italian restaurant. I think they barely had 2 stars on Yelp.

Upscale Mexican is what we got. I come from LA, I know my Mexican food. However, I don’t poo poo upscale Mexican like some folks do. I like cheap ass tacos as well as $29 Jidori chicken enchiladas. There’s room in my stomach for both.

Yet, I was still apprehensive. If you’re paying a lot of money for food that you know you can make at home for $1.50, it had better be good. Which is why people get upset at places like this. Often times, the food is just ok and they wish they had gone to the Taco Bell and just ordered a few margs.

Guacamole is a dish that has been getting exponentially expensive lately. This used to be a $4 appetizer. Now, they charge you $18 and try to justify the cost by making it in front of you, at your table.

No! Make it in the back, and charge me half! I don’t care if you haven’t washed your hands or maybe dropped something weird in it. I will never be fine dropping that kind of cash on smushed avocados.

Which is why we didn’t order guacamole. We ordered drinks and apps. The best items to order at an upscale Mexican restaurant. Nothing over $15 and no one leaves angry.

I LOVED the corn on the cob and the Lupillas (the croquettes). Definitely worth the money. In fact, I want them both right now.

The Aguachile de Callos was a nice scallop version of ceviche and you really get a decent amount of food when you order the Huarache Chido, a Mexican flatbread. The Serrano ham was a bit hard to chew threw and very salty but that’s not Temerario’s fault. That’s just the nature of Serrano ham. The bastard.

The drinks were superb. They weren’t cheap but they certainly packed a punch.

I would definitely come back (considering I live exactly one block away) but I do love that finally our hood has a hip, bustling place to get a margarita that isn’t frozen or filled with hangover inducing plastic bottle tequila.

198 8th Ave
New York, NY 10011
b/t 21st St & 20th St
Chelsea
(212) 645-2100
temerarionyc.com

Aguachile de Callos – Bay scallops, jalapeno, mescal lime jus, cucumber, burnt chiles – $14

Lupillas – Longaniza and Manchego Croquettes, manzano cream – $10

Elote – Grilled Corn on the cob, Lime mayo, Chile de arbol – $7

Huarache Chido – Grilled Corn huarache, potato chorizo hash, arugula, Serrano ham, salsa – $13