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We've been told time and time again, the first meal of the day is the most important. For a New Yorker, this usually translates to a meal on the go, usually a cup of coffee and hopefully a bagel before descending into the subway. But for Roberto Levinson, the ultimate breakfast is found in Mexico. Growing up in Monterrey, Mexico, Levinson would spend his mornings with his family over a traditional Mexican breakfast. Every Sunday, his table would be filled with a range of sweet breads, breakfast tacos and chilaquiles. While he has now lived in New York for the past 15 years, he’s always had an eye out for the flavors of home. So, he decided to bring his little slice of life to NYC.
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Since October, Ánimo! has brought the magic of an authentic Mexican breakfast to Midtown East. In this way, Levinson has brought the magic of his favorite meal to the city.
“As a Mexican native living in New York City, I found myself longing for the flavors and breakfast traditions of home but struggled to find a spot that truly captured its essence,” says the founder in a press release. “In my experience, there’s an unmatched magic to Mexican breakfast and we can’t wait for people to try it here.”
Reflecting its ties to Mexico, the corner cafe features colorful folk art and hand-painted murals throughout the space. If you can, make a visit to the restroom for sights and inspired by jungles of Mexico.
Walking up to the terrazzo counter, you can find a daily selection of pan dulce in the window. Pick and choose from vanilla or chocolate conchas, pan de elote or corn cake or griddle cakes known as Gorditas de Nata, all baked in-house. Heartier appetites can dive into salsa slathered Chilaquiles and Enchiladas Verdes or order the open faced sandwich, known as Molletes, made on bolillo bread with refried beans, cheese and salsa. An added plus, the breakfast tacos, served on your choice of corn or flour tortilla, have plenty of heft to them, whether you get them filled with eggs, vegan chorizo or beef barbacoa.
But if you are looking for something sweet, the Hot Cakes with Glorias are a must. The hot cakes incorporate Glorias, a soft, goat’s milk and pecan-based candy popular in Mexico. The sweets are baked right in, resulting in delightfully fluffy hot cakes with caramelized and nutty bites in between. The caramelized bananas on top only add to the indulgence.
With a name that loosely translates to "cheer up," Ánimo!'s caffeinated beverages are sure to provide a needed pick me up. Try the Café de Olla, prepared in a clay pot with cinnamon sticks and piloncillo, or cane sugar, or the sweet and spicy Moca Maya with chocolate syrup, Mexican cacao and a hit of cayenne pepper.
But, if you sleep through the AM hours, never fear, as Ánimo! serves breakfast all day. Plus, stopping in the afternoon will give you access to the full lunch menu of flautas, salads, tacos and tortas.