Fonda

• 2012 Winner

  Best Mexican

• 2011 Winner

  Best Mexican

After honing his skills as an ambassador of Mexican flavors, first at culinary director at Rosa Mexicano and then as a consultant, Roberto Santibañez is setting out on his own in Park Slope with the ecclecticly titled Fonda. The 38-seat space with red walls and a antique mirror behind the bar sports a patio and a drink menu offering a wide range of margaritas (hibiscus, guava, tamarind), a mojito ("It's not that Mexican," he says, "but people imediately relate to it") and Ronpompe ("It's like an eggnog drink we mix with tequila and cinnamon"). As for the changing menu, it seasonal pan-Mexican. "I was born in Mexico City," he says. "We have more of an urbanistic take on Mexican food based on traditional ingredients and techniques." He translates his vision into dishes like, grilled chorizo with melted cheeses from the north (chihuahua) and south (Oaxaca) served with corn tortillas for DIY tacos. Then there's the duck zarape, two soft corn tortiallas filed with shredded tomato braised duck topped with roasted tomato hanbenero cream sauce. Fonda comes just in time for those who already miss now-shuttered Bonita.

See more: Park Slope restaurants, Mexican restaurants