Upscale Mexican in Alphabet City

From a former Le Cirque manager and China Grill chef, this intimate bistro's pouring generous measures of Old World wines to accompany Latin fare like Merluza (hake fillet, boniato puree), Ropa Vieja (Cuban shredded flank steak), and the roasted chicken hen/spinach/mushrooms dish "pio pio" -- the succulent flavor of which is in no way compromised by its name sounding like a kid's laser-gun battle.