Vibe Magazine

Though Erica Mena is most memorable for her feisty persona on VH1’s Love and Hip Hop New York, there's more to her under her tough exterior. The Bronx native is a jack-of-all-trades. Aside from documenting her real life on television, Mena is pursuing a singing career (she just released her new single "Where Do I Go From Here" on iTunes) while juggling the job of being a full-time mom. “It’s all about balancing everything but it works,” Mena tells VIBE. On the show the half-Puerto Rican and Dominican is known for stirring up controversy (cue the heated triangle between her, Rich Dollaz, and Olivia) and is never one to back down from letting her voice be heard. "On the show viewers had to get comfortable with a new cast and I think with everything that’s been going on with my crazy self it’s actually been a fun ride so far," she says. "It is what it is." When she isn't on set, she's just Erica from the block hitting the town at some of her favorite locales. Check out some New York hot spots Mena tells VIBE she likes to go for grub, beauty, fun, and quality time with her son.

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Sofrito

"I love Mofongo and I actually found a place a few months ago when I got back to New York and started shooting called Sofrito. It's amazing! The best Spanish food ever."

Editorial Review

Pricey Puerto Rican at this fine-dining spot in Midtown East. Reserve online for a seat, and a grab a stark-white table and chair in the slightly generic art-filled room for Caribbean $20-$50 entrees that include roast pork and sweet plaintains, mashed yucca and lobster, and pan-roasted tilapia. Prices not nearly as calming as the Caribbean, but the guava cheesecake might temper the blow, but probably not.