Suenos, West 17th Street

Talented chef Sue Torres has been pleasing Chelsea palates with her inventive regional Mexican cuisine for years, first at the still-excellent Rocking Horse Cafe, and more recently around the corner at her cozy and festive little restaurant, Suenos (311 W. 17th St., 212-243-1333), right next to Energy Kitchen. Foodies come from all points to sample the superb cuisine as well to take cooking classes from Torres. The menu changes often but has featured duck-confit quesadillas with poached pears and ancho chiles, grilled salmon with Michoacan fresh-corn tamals and pumpkin-seed sauce, and organic chicken enchiladas with mole poblano sauce, crema, and radishes.