Xixa
Description
Williamsburg has a lot of one-and-only restaurants, but Xixa stands out. Heather Heuser and Jason Marcus are a modern day mom and pop, hugging regulars and cultivating new ones. The playful name, pronounced "shiksa," refers to Heuser not being Jewish (Marcus is). The food is Mexican—or, rather, Mexican-Asian-European—and the combinations sound unfathomable (spicy rock shrimp gorditas with nori-shiso-scallion and sesame sikil pak; fideus seco with spicy lamb albondigas, Cotija and bolillo) but no matter. Marcus has thought it through and it's awesome. Furthermore, it's a sexy space with cleanly designed wood surfaces, a draped rope ceiling and snuggly booths. The feminine-themed wine list is a conversation starter, including quotes from Joan Rivers, Liberace, Lucille Ball and Twiggy, among others, plus there's an impressive selection of tequila and mezcal.