Put away that ham leg, Chef Miller. Leah Cohen is taking over. (Photo: Liz Clayman)
If a molecular gastronomist can collaborate with an ice cream shop, why not have the chef of a Southeast Asian restaurant moonlight at a tapas bar? That’s what’ll happen on Monday, Oct. 10, when Leah Cohen, the former Top Chef contestant who opened the wildly popular Pig & Khao on Clinton Street, takes over Huertas, the book-worthy Spanish spot on First Avenue in the East Village.
In what’s being called a “pinxtos takeover,” Cohen will serve six dishes that are a little bit spicier than the normal fair at Huertas. The plates include curry chicken, bo la lot (curried beef rolled in betel leaves), lumpia (Filipono spring rolls), banh kot (little rice pancakes with shrimp), curry crab cake, and smoked pork belly skewers. ‘
With Maharlika and Jeepney just a stone’s throw from Huertas, this is the perfect opportunity for a Filipino food crawl down First Avenue. So, basically, save your appetite by not eating all weekend.