When Agave Azul shuttered its doors this past winter, Jennifer and Aaron Barrientos were poised to take over the space from their friends and introduce their restaurant to Manhattan: Flor de Fuego. In the following months, they cultivated a menu of robust Mexican flavors and planned to offer patrons an authentic Mexican experience.
The restaurant, which opened on April 28, experienced a massive welcome from the community. Opening week was so busy, especially after Cinco de Mayo, that they had to close for a day to give staff a break – they had been working for eight days straight, open to close.
“Something we were talking about in the beginning was wanting to honor what Agave Azul brought, because I know they had a steady following,” Jennifer Barrientos explained.
Initially, Barrientos considered offering a menu similar to Agave Azul, but they ultimately decided to follow their passion and do something different that more closely honored their heritage and culture.
“You’re not going to get a taco with cheese and lettuce in Mexico, so we’re trying to bring a new flavor, something more upscale that’s more authentically Mexican,” Barrientos said.
The menu features steak dishes ranging in price from $12 to $42, to cater to everyone’s palates and wallets. It also features an extensive drink menu with its own mezcal and house tequila, Gran Centenario. They offer a daily brunch and a kid’s menu.
Barrientos is passionate about introducing guests to their authentic Mexican dishes, although she noted it is a bit of a challenge.
“Not a lot of people are accustomed to authentic Mexican food, which is a challenge in itself, because a lot of people are wanting a menu item that was previously here with Agave Azul, but then this is where we have to come in and educate the customer. I know you like this from their menu, but I can recommend something better,” Barrientos explained.
Although it is a challenge, Barrientos welcomes it because it is rewarding when people discover just how good it really can be. Barrientos beamed with pride, telling about the many positive reviews online.
Her hope is when guests come in, they can learn why the food, meat, and flavors are better, so they want to try their innovative food and mouthwatering culinary creations.
For those who are nervous about trying an authentic Mexican dish and are looking for something like a more Americanized steak taco, Barrientos recommends Gaonara tacos, which are three flour tacos with a ribeye slice topped with cheese, onion, and cilantro.
Her favorite, though, is the cauliflower dish, which she said she has almost every day. She also enjoys the fajitas nortenas.
Head Chef Joaquin Anguiano, who also owns a restaurant in Chicago, collaborated with Barrientos and her husband, who own a meat company also in Chicago, to create their authentic Mexican menu.
“We collaborated with him to bring our meats to his already crafted ideas,” Barrientos said.
“We introduced steaks — it’s not just any type of meat. It’s premium quality meat, like the tomahawk, the ribeyes, the New Yorks — they’re all very high quality. But if you don’t want to eat those steaks, we have tacos. There’s something for everybody,” Barrientos explained.
In addition to the steak-based entrees, the menu also offers seafood and chicken dishes, like the fire pollo en mole, a half chicken with mole sauce, a Yucatan Peninsula specialty dish that uses cacao in the sauce. It is served with rice, roasted pepitas, sesame, and pickled onions.
“When he was showing his different types of dishes, I was like, this is art. The way he came up with all these different types of dishes — I call that art,” Barrientos said of her head chef’s talent.
The artistry continues into the bar, where bartender Lucy received high praise from Barrientos for her speed and talent.
Tortillas are handmade daily by Anguiano’s sister, Adriana. The authenticity doesn’t stop at the food and tortillas — everything is made with Mexico in mind.
“Joaquin and I decided to collaborate with them to bring it over here,” Barrientos said of their house tequila and mezcal brought in from Mexico.
Guests who visit Flor de Fuego will notice that it’s not just different menu items.
The decor changed from the cool blues and grays that paid homage to the agave plant to bright, fiery reds, vibrant decor, and plenty of flowers, all a nod to the new restaurant’s name and concept. The decor wasn’t just about what looked good; there is a lot of meaning behind it.
One wall features a mural of Frida Kahlo, an iconic Mexican artist who Barrientos said is, in a way, the embodiment of the flower of fire. The flower of fire is also a nickname for fiery, empowered Mexican women, which inspired Barrientos to name the restaurant after it. There’s also artwork that includes the flower of Venus and plenty of other details that pay homage to Flor de Fuego.
And while Agave Azul was a slower-paced, quieter restaurant, guests can expect a more exciting, fun vibe at Flor de Fuego, with entertainment, birthday celebrations, and a lively atmosphere, especially on the weekend. Most recently, the restaurant hosted singer Grisel Mota and a mariachi band. Taco Tuesdays will be a fun time, offering drink specials, raffles, and a party atmosphere.
When asked why they chose to incorporate those elements into their restaurant, Barrientos proudly and excitedly proclaimed, “That’s our culture!”
“That’s just how it is in Mexico. The Mexican culture is so festive. There’s a lot of festivity, there’s a lot of unity when it comes to how we experience and how we share our culture. There’s mariachis; there’s live music; there’s all of these different types of elements to bring in,” Barrientos added.
Barrientos isn’t the first in her family to bring Mexican dishes to a small town — her parents, originally from Mexico, and her mom, specifically from Mexico City, opened a Mexican restaurant in a small town in Indiana in the 1970s.
“I come from a family of entrepreneurs,” Barrientos said.
“It’s been such an amazing experience having the people here be so open to what we have to offer,” Barrientos said.
Barrientos was clear the whole team has worked together to make this dream a reality, complimenting her staff, her general manager, Ricardo Rodriguez, and her marketing team.
Though this dream has been realized, Barrientos isn’t done yet. She’s hoping to find a way to offer outdoor seating and someday expand the restaurant beyond Manhattan.
Flor de Fuego is at 330 W. North Street in Manhattan and is open Monday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.