Samalitas$$$$$

Samalita was born and raised a fifth-generation Californian of Spanish-Mexican descent. Her ancestors traveled north from Monterey, Mexico in the De Anza party, settling in Monterey, California in 1775. When "Sam" moved to New York City, she found plenty of Tex-Mex restaurants, but not the wonderful Californian/Mexican food she grew up on.

She missed her family's recipes, which had been passed down through generations. After many years of cooking these recipes at home for her family and friends, she realized that no existing restaurant provided authentic, delicious and healthy Mexican food at a reasonable price. Thus, Samalita created her own restaurant where she could share this wonderfully fresh food with all her New York friends.

In 2007, Sam opened a new neighborhood restaurant called Samalita's Sunflower Restaurant with Romeo De Gobbi, to serve fresh and healthy California cuisine. Romeo has over forty years of experience, creating and managing various restaurants including Le Cirque, Le Pactole and Limoncello.

With the "Golden State's" Spanish/Mexican influence from the South, exotic Asian and Italian influences from the North, plus farm style cooking from Europe, this food utilizes fresh produce, fruits and nuts native to California. With a variety of seafood from the coast, wonderful vineyards and wines, Samalita's Sunflower Restaurant gives New York a glorious taste of a unique cuisine.

Hide

Five Mini Burgers—With sliced tomato, onion, lettuce, American cheese and French fries

Chicken Breast Rollatine—Filled with Ricotta cheese, Provolone, chopped spinach, artichoke hearts, shallots, sautéed with pinot grigio and mushrooms; served with cheese mashed potatoes

Braised Short Ribs—Marinated in red wine sauce, spices and fresh herbs, slowly cooked; served with polenta and grapefruit wedges, drizzled with jalapeno pesto

Samalita’s Special Burger—Eight ounce grilled chopped sirloin served in a grilled French garlic baguette, accompanied by sautéed onions, mushrooms, lettuce, crispy bacon, sliced tomatoes, Jack cheese, steak potatoes and barbecue sauce

Turkey Avocado Jack Croissant—A flaky, butter croissant filled with thinly sliced turkey breast, avocado, Jack cheese, lettuce and sliced tomatoes; served with fresh fruit wedges

Samalita Enchilada—Tortillas filled with shrimp, mushrooms, herbs and spices sautéed in dry sherry with green mole and sour cream