Alma Cocina opens in East Northport
Chamorro al horno, Yucatan-style pork shank pibil, at Alma Cocina in East Northport. Credit: Newsday/Melissa Azofeifa
Fans of Mexican fare in East Northport have a new place to call home — Alma Cocina has opened on Larkfield Road. Chef-owner Catalina Criollo runs the restaurant with her husband, Eduardo Coraizaca. The pair go from table to table chatting with diners.
“[Our goal] is to make our customers like they’re guests at our home," Coraizaca said in Spanish.
The 2,000-square-foot space is intimate, romantic and sleek with black ceilings, white walls and pale green accents. About 30 guests can sit inside and there's room 15 in the outdoor seating area. Alma Cocina has an open kitchen concept where guests can see Criollo making their meals.
Co-owner Eduardo Coraizaca and chef-owner Catalina Criollo at Alma's Cocina in East Northport. Credit: Newsday/Melissa Azofeifa
"We wanted to have the touch of an open kitchen so people can see that we make everything fresh here," Criollo said.
Criollo has more than 20 years of experience as a chef and was formerly executive chef at Pecado in Bay Shore. Her menu highlights regions of Mexico, with ceviches from Veracruz and Sinaloa, and dishes from Yucatan such as a pork shank pibil with black bean puree.
Appetizers include queso fundido, a melted cheese dish made with Chihuahua cheese, poblano, onion and choice of chorizo or mushrooms served with a warm corn tortilla ($17.95). The pollo en mole negro is roasted chicken breast, mole negro, rice, sweet plantains and sesame seeds ($28.95). Soups, steaks and tacos round out the menu.
Mixologist Carlos Apreza helms Alma Cocina’s build-your-own margarita experience. Choose a spirit (blanco tequila, mezcal or jalapeño-infused tequila) and go traditional or flavored (passionfruit, mango, watermelon and strawberry) for $15. The avocado spicy margarita ($16.50) is made with jalapeño-infused tequila, orange liqueur, fresh lime juice and fresh avocado.
Criollo and Coraizaca said they worked for about two years toward opening this spot. With their son going off to college, it was easier to make Criollo’s longtime dream of opening a restaurant come true.
"Alma Cocina is a "soul kitchen — "where you put your whole soul in your cooking and dishes," Criollo said.
Alma Cocina, 354 Larkfield Rd, East Northport, 631-623-6329. Open 3 to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, noon to 10 p.m. Friday to Saturday, noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Melissa Azofeifa is a restaurants reporter with Newsday's FeedMe team. Having grown up on Long Island, she loves talking about food and its impact on culture. A graduate of Stony Brook University, she joined Newsday in the fall of 2024.
