Charrúa

Charrúa Restaurant Review:

You'd be forgiven for passing right by this quiet little space on a busy Lower East Side street. It doesn't have any big signs or bells and whistles to let you know it's there. The city's first Uruguayan place opened with a whisper, but the menu will transport you south. Empanadas are delicate and crispy instead of thick and oil-slicked. And the standard chivito, a sandwich made with sliced filet mignon, mozzarella, ham, hard-boiled egg, onion and peppers, tastes just as it would if you were getting it from a streetside vendor. Grilled skirt steak with chimichurri is an appropriate main (if you still have room after that sandwich). Flan is as expected, but more fun is the chocolate "sausage" made of milk chocolate and crisped cereal.