Sazón
105 Reade St., nr. W. Broadway 212-406-1900
Sazón, sister restaurant to Sofrito on East 57th Street, opens this week in the Tribeca space previously occupied by Fresh. You might know Sofrito as the Mets-frequented, mojito- slinging Puerto Rican restaurant formerly known as Jimmy’s Downtown. Sofrito’s consulting chef, the peripatetic Ricardo Cardona, assumes identical duties at Sazón, where his Puerto Rican–inspired menu covers traditional (if elevated) Latin Caribbean territory, from conch salad and rum-glazed shrimp to mofongo and ropa vieja. Fans of Puerto Rican fritters can munch alcapurrías and tostones rellenos to their heart’s (dis)content. There are plantain sandwiches and big salads at lunch, plus two so-called VIP lounges, in case Carlos Beltran brings some friends.