HELL'S KITCHEN — Sangria — meet the margarita.
A new Latin restaurant in Hell's Kitchen will serve up favorites from Argentina, Spain, Peru and Cuba, as well as marrying the country's national drinks into one potent cocktail.
Aptly named "sangrita," the blend will be a staple of the drink menu at Luna Sur, a new restaurant at 802 Ninth Ave. that opened in recent weeks. The signature cocktail mixes a tequila-filled frozen margarita with a fruity red sangria.
The new spot is the brainchild of Mario Zarate, who owns restaurants Guantanamera and Amor Cubano, and Chef Isaias Ortiz, who created Guantanamera's menu.
Along with sangrita, the restaurant's bar will focus on drinks with infused spirits and fruit purees, including Watermelon Fresca, made with fresh watermelon, lime juice, and gin with a touch of basil.
Latin Sur's menu is an exploration of Latin American and Spanish cuisine, including Cuban Lechoncito, a suckling pig roasted for eight hours, and Peru's Cauza Limena, a dish made up of layers of mashed potato, avocado and crab.
Diners hoping to go all out can also opt for the Pechuga Rellena con Salsa de Pina y Guayaba, a crispy breaded chicken stuffed with ham and cheese.
The restaurant also offers a selection of traditional tapas, including octopus in a lamata sauce and Chorizo al Vino, or sausage marinated in Spanish red wine.
The restaurant, which is open for lunch and dinner, will also feature live salsa, merengue and Latin jazz six nights a week starting at 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
