Sombrero, New York

A stone's throw from the theater district, Sombrero Restaurant sates pre- and postshow cravings for dramatically zesty eats. Sizzling entrees draw flavors from traditional Spanish cuisine and Mayan fish fries that remain popular on the Yucatán Peninsula. A full bar lubricates conversation throughout, and bottles of libations sparkle atop the uplit backsplash like bottled sunlight or a sports drink teeming with electricity.

Goldenrod walls and polished red wood dye the interior of Sombrero Restaurant the color of a desert sunset, replete with an overhead chandelier woven in the shape of stars. Mexican-style artwork in the same warm reds and yellows line the walls, and potted palms add pops of natural color to the milieu. When the sun's rays are strong enough to warm the atmosphere, Sombrero opens an outdoor patio for alfresco dining or spontaneous renditions of "Summertime."