The owners of beloved Mexican eatery La Contenta are poised to open a new late-night establishment, Vallarta Tropical, next door to its flagship Lower East Side location, according to paperwork filed with the Community Board.
The new venture will occupy La Contenta’s takeout arm, La Contenta Next Door, at 106 Norfolk Street. La Contenta has earned numerous accolades for its sophisticated yet approachable menu and vibrant atmosphere.
Chef and owner Luis Arce Mota combines his Mexican roots with French training to create unique fusions such as ratatouille-stuffed chilis rellenos and confit chicken leg with mole risotto. Behind the bar, Mota is joined by celebrated mixologists Alex Valencia and Rigoberto Cervantes, who oversee a colorful cocktail menu that leans heavily into agave spirits.
With a lot of buzz and limited capacity — there are only fourteen seats in the entire joint — La Contenta’s next-door spin-off just might save date night. This will be La Contenta’s third space, following the opening of their sister Greenwich Village outpost, La Contenta Oeste, in 2017.
Vallarta Tropical will offer seafood-forward fare and a robust cocktail menu until 2 a.m. on weekend evenings, the paperwork notes. Its official opening date has yet to be announced, and La Contenta did not immediately respond to What Now New York’s request for comment.
