Sue Torres

Chef/Owner

Chef Sue Torres wants her food to transport guests to Mexico – a place where bold,
authentic flavors dominate and home-style cooking with fresh ingredients picked that
morning at the farmers’ market is the norm. 

A New York native, Sue learned to cook by watching her grandmother in the kitchen
when she would visit her in Puerto Rico.  Whatever her grandmother lacked in terms
of culinary education and technique, she more than made up for in flavor, turning
simple dishes like rice and beans into memorable meals.  Sue quickly knew that she
was destined to spend her life in the kitchen, and enrolled in the Culinary Institute
of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, NY, where she learned the culinary history, techniques
and traditions that complemented her grandmother’s lessons. 

Sue became a rising star at CIA, and upon graduating secured a coveted position
as the first female entremetier at La Grenouille.  From there, she would work in other
top Manhattan kitchens before landing at age 21 at Arizona 206, which is where she
began to make her mark.  It was there that Sue was introduced to the southwestern and
Mexican ingredients that would ultimately influence her culinary style.  In particular, Sue
was fascinated by the variety of flavors, complexities, temperatures and textures various
chiles presented, and pursued them with a chef’s passion. 

In 1997, Sue moved on to Rocking Horse Café Mexicano, where she would turn this
passion into her life’s study.  She travels to Mexico each year to study, absorb and
experience the varied flavors, ingredients and dishes from each region, often staying
in the homes of her cooks and their families.  She used, and continued, these
experiences when she opened the critically-acclaimed and ever-popular Sueños in
2003, where her innovative Mexican cuisine has become a New York favorite.  

Four years later, Sue found herself ready for a new challenge.  When a mutual friend
introduced Sue to David Rabin and Will Regan, she realized her aspiration to have
a home-style Mexican restaurant to complement Sueños’ creative fare could become a
reality.  At Los Dados, Sue brings forward strong Mexican flavors, creating homemade
salsas and tortillas in the classic tradition while offering guests a chance to recreate
culinary memories of Mexico, in the heart of New York City.