East Village, NYC

Hellbender x Cuna: A Match Made In Heaven

Hellbender x Cuna: A Match Made In Heaven

Hellbender meets Cuna.

Cuna welcomes Chef Yara Herrera, the culinary force behind Queens-based Hellbender, for a one-night collaboration with Chef Maycoll Calderón. It’s a dinner built on shared creativity, seasonal ingredients, and a love of Mexican culture that’s complemented by the rhythm of New York City—where tradition inspires, technique evolves, and flavor does the talking.

For this special collaboration, Chef Calderón and Chef Herrera present a menu that honors heritage while leaning into innovation, celebrating the depth of Mexican culinary tradition with a modern, ingredient-driven twist. Expect bold flavors, bright moments, and dishes designed exclusively for the evening at Cuna.

What: five courses, $125pp

When: April 24th, 5pm-10pm

Where: Cuna at The Standard, East Village


Take a peek at the menu below and reserve your spot here.


Hellbender x Cuna

Oysters duo / jalapeño, yuzu kosho mignonette; cucumber, habanero, white soy, herb oil

Kampachi crudo / strawberry aguachile, chiltepin oil, lime, cucumber

Grilled sea bass / baby spinach, swiss chard, ginger/butter emulsion

Al pastor pork ribs / pineapple salsa, pickled onions

Gansito / spongecake, chocolate ganache, strawberry jam, candied cacao

Five Courses ($125pp)


About Hellbender: Hellbender is a Mexican-American restaurant in Ridgewood, Queens, helmed by chef-partner Yara Herrera, highlighting her playful, Mexican-American cooking inspired by her upbringing in a Mexican family in Los Angeles. Since opening, the restaurant has quickly established itself as a neighborhood standout, earning a spot on Esquire’s Best New Restaurants for 2024, a two-star review from The New York Times, and inclusion on The New York Times Top 100 Restaurants list. With a seasonally rotating menu rooted in thoughtful sourcing and a casual, lively atmosphere, Hellbender offers an approachable yet ambitious dining experience centered on food, cocktails, and community.

About Yara Herrera: A Los Angeles native, Yara Herrera began her culinary career at age 20, working in some of the city’s most respected kitchens, including Wolfgang Puck’s Spago and the two Michelin-starred sustainable seafood restaurant Providence. Over time, she developed a strong focus on sustainability, learning directly from farmers and collaborating with local growers to cook in ways that support the ecology of nearby farms. After relocating to New York, Yara rose to Chef de Cuisine at Xilonen, where she built menus rooted in traditional Mexican techniques and seasonal produce. She went on to contribute to several New York restaurants, including Sobre Masa in Bushwick, where she deepened her commitment to preserving native Mexican corn varieties. Most recently, Yara launched her first chef-owner project, Hellbender, a Mexican-American restaurant and bar in Ridgewood, Queens. The restaurant has quickly established itself as a neighborhood standout and was included in The New York Times’ “Best New Restaurants in New York in 2025." 




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