High-Flying Dining In Dumbo

I had heard about it, but I didn't believe it. An amazingly authentic Mexican restaurant located in Brooklyn's Dumbo General Store? Pshaw!

Well, the "pshaw" is on me. The bizarre night-time redo of the art supply/sandwich-slinging shop into an organic, farmer-friendly nod to Mexican street food -- Hecho en Dumbo -- is a winner through and through. I discovered this on Friday night when I agreed to join my friend Tobi at Hecho for a gal's night out.

It was a chilly evening and I had been through a tough work week when I hit the restaurant, but a sour lime-tinged Margarita started to soften the edges before the food arrived.

First up was a plate filled with warm slices of Mollete Defectuoso, Mexico's answer to Stouffer's French Bread Pizza, crispy ciabatta bread slathered with black bean puree, mozzarella and spicy pico de gallo. Then the hits kept on coming, from a sensational Duck Mole Tamale which I drizzled with the house green salsa, to a lusty Burrita de Res stuffed with wine braised beef stewed in lime with carmelized onion.

My palate was pleased and my tongue still felt a scorching salsa burn as we exited the restaurant. The only way to quench the fire was a trip to reBar, Dumbo's popular, hipster hangout. There, the ever-friendly Scott let Tobi and I try several brews before we settled on a pair of imported, high-falutin, hoppy pints. Mmmm...

Mmmm aside, a second round wasn't even ordered. Between the tequila and suds, we were suddenly out for the count.

But neither of us minded. We were both well-assured of pleasant dreams - dreams that just might include a flying elephant, a brew or two, and some kick-ass Mexican munchies.