Happy Tummies at Stella Taco (for under $10!)

Loving a good happy hour, I've been wanting to indulge in Stella Taco's offering.  I always enjoy their tacos (and especially when they're just $2!) however, I've never actually been inside and eaten there. My experience has always been with take out that Dan brings home after the workday.

Atmosphere:
Located just a few blocks from where we live, you can find Stella Taco on the corner of 30th Avenue and Alberta Street.  It marks a pivotal spot in this quintessential NE Portland arts district in that I think it's where the good food starts. 

The interior couldn't be more inviting - it's well lit, boasts high ceilings, a cheery modern design and an overall casual, laid back vibe.  Since we're now always dining with our little one, I must mention that Stella is super family friendly and throughout the course of our visit, I noticed several families with young kids.  There's plenty of room between tables so you won't feel crowded and they even have a fun little activity corner for the kiddies.

Food:
To no one's surprise, we came for the happy hour tacos which only go for $2 a pop between 3-6 p.m. Note that not all tacos are $2, just the street tacos, but rest assured that there's plenty of variety to go around.

Tortilla Soup - Feeling the chill from the outdoors, I was ready to cozy up to some nice, warm soup.  It seemed to be the special of the day so I thought it would be made fresh and I was right.  Loving the chunkiness of the soup, it was packed with lots of hearty ingredients such as shredded chicken, black beans, greens and crispy tortilla chips on top.  There was also lots of cheese on top, which gave it that extra dose of comfort and Mexican flavor.

Tacos - While you can only choose the soft street tacos as part of the happy hour deal, there are 8 varieties to choose from.  Whether you're a meat eater or a vegetarian, there's plenty of excellent options for you.  I was half tempted by the veggie offerings but in the end went for the meatier pork Colombiano and the shredded brisket.  Out of these, the former was my favorite, as the meat was most tender, dressed with some homemade chile sauce and topped with crispy tortillas.  The brisket was good too but a bit on the salty side.  If I had to do it all over again, I think I would go for the carnitas instead.

Service and Cost:
Ordering at the counter and then hanging up our number on their handy-dandy ceiling hooks, the service at Stella was pretty, well...stellar.  We didn't feel like we waited long for anything and loved the attentive folks who cleaned our plates and at the same time made us feel welcome and relaxed to stay a while.

Costs are amazing for the amount of food you get.  It must be said that the tacos are incredibly filling and stuffed to the very top of the tortillas.  The soup was on the generous side as well, and depending on how hungry you are, I think you can walk out quite full for under $10/person.

3 Mmmms

Stella Taco - 2940 NE Alberta Street, Portland OR 97211
971.407.3705
stellatacopdx.com

Down Home Mexican (with a Surprise!) at Santeria

This past Friday, my lovely co-workers and I headed to the well known Santeria Mexican restaurant in SW Portland.  I say well known, as this place is notorious for sharing a restroom with Mary's Club, one of the most notable strip clubs in town.  But before you turn your nose, reconsider both establishments (yes both), as one serves delicious down-home Mexican food and the other delivers a somewhat comical and memorable entertainment experience.

Atmosphere:
As soon as you walk into Santeria, you know it's a dive but these types of establishments can also be symbols of greatness.  Sure there was absolutely no AC on the 100+ degree day we went in and no seating except at the bar, but the fact that it was so crowded was a great sign.

Everything about the decor and atmosphere is simple and no frills, but this again brings your attention to the menu and the fact that this place is always full also speaks volumes. 

Food:
Even though I wasn't too hungry, I couldn't not try something and was immediately impressed with their taco selection (including the competitive prices).  Also noticing their extensive non-alcoholic drinks such as homemade horchata, I was sold.

Al Pastor Taco - One of my favorite taco flavors, I was excited to try Santeria's version of the Al Pastor.  Happy to see that it was packed with big pieces of marinated pork and pineapple, it produced a hearty and satisfying bite.  It has to be said that the homemade tortillas  withstood the generous filling of this taco.  Overall, the taco more than surpassed expectations, and I'd be interested to try their other varieties as well.

Horchata - I'm a sucker for a good horchata and can sometimes be disappointed by the pre-packaged stuff they serve at restaurants around town.  However this is far from the way they do it at Santeria, as it's quite evident that the horchata is homemade.  I love the sprinkling of cinnamon spice on top, which adds a little something special to it.  And yet another great selling point of this drink is that it's on free refills.  Score!

Service and Cost:
I can't say that I was overly impressed with the service since it was quite slow and for a very simple meal should've been expedited quickly.  However, all was forgotten when we got those delicious tacos and burritos - so overall, the quality and taste of the food surpasses the shoddy service.

Costs are cheap (as they should be) and therefore welcome for really great Mexican food.  My taco and horchata set me back a mere $5.50 or $6.50 with a tip.

3 Mmmms

Santeria - 703 SW Ankeny Street, Portland OR 97205
503.956.7624
thesanteria.com

A Feast of Latin Flavors and Colors at Portland Mercado

I've been hearing lots of interesting things about Portland Mercado - the first official outdoor public market in Portland dedicated to all sorts of Latin food.  Sure there's lots of unofficial, impromptu trucks out there that cater to Latin flavors, but this one's truly special, as it gives your tastebuds a little taste from all different parts of Latin America.  Needless to say, the food is delicious, inexpensive and there's tons of accessible seating to hang out.

Atmosphere:

Consisting of both indoor and outdoor vendors, Portland Mercado offers a little something for everyone.  If you're looking for that food truck atmosphere, you'll get it by strolling through a row of about 8 different food carts that feature diverse Latin American cuisine - from Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, El Salvador and others.  A lovely, hand crafted wooden arbor tents these carts, with lots of picnic tables for patrons to sit at and enjoy their grub.

As far as the indoor marketplace goes, that's worth checking out as well.  Featuring a few specialty food vendors including a wine and beer shop, a juicery, coffee shop and even a specialty chorizo shop, there's no lack of something interesting and tasty to explore.  The space is also convenient for when you need to use the restrooms, which are spacious and very clean.

Food:
Naturally, we gravitated to the outdoor food scene and walked around at least once, surveying what piqued our interest.  After giving it some thought, I zeroed in on the Mixteca cart, which featured mole as well as the Que Bacano! Colombian food cart.

Patacones (loaded!) - I couldn't resist ordering this beautiful dish of fried green plantains that were fully loaded with shredded chicken and the colorful veggies you see above.  The whole presentation was stunning and literally a show-stopper, as other patrons stopped me to ask what was on my plate.

I'm happy to say that the plantains were perfectly crispy and seasoned well, making for a hearty bite with all those other fixins.  In retrospect, we could've shared this plate with more than 2 people.

Chicken Mole Bowl - Always attracted to a nice mole, this one came with shredded chicken, black beans, white rice and crispy cabbage slaw on top.  The overall taste was excellent and each layer provided something a little different.  I loved the smokiness of the mole and the chicken, making evident the careful process with which it was prepared.

Carne Asada Plate - Dan ordered a hearty plate of Mexican food including a slow cooked carne asada steak, a side of refried black beans, Mexican rice and homemade tortillas.  The beef was delicious and a little bit on the sweet side, but the piece-de-resistance came from the homemade corn tortillas that were thicker than the norm.  I loved them so much that I broke off a piece to use as a vehicle for my smoky mole - and it worked perfectly.

Drinks - Taking advantage of the aforementioned juice bar, I tried a beet, carrot and orange concoction that I loved.  Not only was the color strikingly vibrant, its taste was earthy and delicious and not at all over-sweetened which was appreciated.

Service and Cost:

We enjoyed great service in all the different establishments at Portland Mercado.  Some of the trucks have longer waiting times than others but nothing is unmanageable, and I'd estimate that on average, we got our food in about 5-7 minutes.

Costs are inexpensive and range anywhere from $3 for a taco to $11 for a mixed plate.  It's also nice to see that vendors accept both cash and credit cards, making things convenient.

3 Mmmms

Portland Mercado - 7238 SE Foster Road, Portland OR 97206
portlandmercado.com

Guerrero Chilaquiles at Autentica

I love trying new brunch options in the neighborhood, especially when it involves eating Mexican food.  Noticing a recent Eater write-up for a nearby Mexican brunch at Autentica restaurant, my friend Sonya and I popped in to check it out.

Atmosphere:
Located in the ever evolving North East Killingsworth and 30th Ave neighborhood, Autentica is surrounded by other interesting eateries such as DOC, Cocotte, Nonna and others.  It's easy to spot from the outside by the pretty wooden signage and the colorful accents on the facade.

Once you walk in, the restaurant is long and narrow and connotes something of a friendly neighborhood joint.  The decor is simple, filled mostly with two or four top tables and a prominent open kitchen that occupies most of the space.  
Noticing various sized parties during brunch, it was pleasantly full but not so much so that it was tough to snag a table.  Luckily they also accept Opentable reservations, which I'm always keen to use.

Food:
It was hard to decide what to choose, as most of the dishes totally sounded like something up my alley, being a huge fan of Mexican food.  Asking our server for advice, she recommended the Huevo Enchipotlado (scrambled eggs with house made chipotles), but I decided against it, being a little intimidated by the spice.  Instead I went for their Chilaquiles - my barometer for good Mexican fare.

Chilaquiles Rojos - Surprised to see these Chilaquiles were more or less deconstructed, the eggs, beans and other fixins co-existed on the side of the tortillas enrobed in guajillo chile sauce.  While I really enjoyed the tortillas, which were perfectly flavored, I wished they were mixed in with the eggs at least, as I love when the latter ingredient sticks to the already softened tortillas.  Everything else on the plate was tasty and enjoyable (especially a velvety crema that I requested on the side), but I can't say any of it blew me away.

Because she was feeling under the weather, Sonya chose the arroz con huevo (fried eggs and rice), which she didn't complain nor rave about.

Service and Cost:
I must say that the service at Autentica was quite good, given that it was peak brunch hour.  Observing the atmosphere and gauging whether people seemed to be happy, I must say they did and no one seemed to be rushing out too quickly.  Overall, a nice vibe and service was had.

Costs are moderate for Mexican food and set us back between $10-$15 each including tip.

2 Mmmms

Autentica - 5507 NE 30th Avenue, Portland OR 97211
503.287.7555
autenticaportland.com

Trying the Blend LIC Food Truck

A few weeks ago, I noticed the Blend LIC food truck parked just a few blocks away from my day gig.  Happy to discover this little piece of LIC in downtown Manhattan made me excited to try it for lunch one day.  

The Truck:
Clearly recognizing the Blend brick-and-mortar influences in the truck motif, it boasts the same color profile and a similar menu, although obviously simplified for mobile service.  The truck itself is pretty tricked out, as it comes with a fancy sound system that blasts beats during lunch as well as a built in ATM machine.  There's about 3 people that work inside the truck, including someone taking orders and two folks who cook and serve up the food.

Arepas:
Because I wasn't overly hungry, I went with an order of the crispy arepas with slow cooked pork and all the fixins such as guacamole, pico de gallo, lettuce and white sauce.  The portion was small but surprisingly filling, especially due to the hearty arepas, which had a nice crispy texture on the outside.  The whole dish oozed freshness and looked gorgeous with all those bright colors.

Service and Cost:
Unfortunately, the service at the truck was a total bust.  What I thought would take about 10 minutes to serve up took nearly 25, which I think is unacceptable (especially for lunch).  Even though the staff was nice, they didn't acknowledge the situation and that didn't sit well with me.

Costs are inexpensive and included $5 for those 2 little arepas, $6 for 3 tacos, $7 burritos, $3 empanadas and so forth.

2 Mmmms

Follow Blend on the Go on Twitter to learn about their weekly locations

Quick Homemade Tostones for Snacking

In the mood to cook something quick and healthful, I got inspired by a ripe bunch of plantains I spotted at the supermarket.  I love ordering a basket of tostones when dining at Latin eateries, but I’ve never had the chance to make them myself.

A quick search through some recipes produced a quick, no frills method for making them that I was inspired to try.  See tostones recipe here.

Peeling these babies was cinch since they were already ripe, and once I fried them the first time, they produced a deliciously crispy snack, which reminded me of sweet potato fries. I was determined to make them the right way though, and followed through with the rest of the method, as I mashed these into flat discs and fried them once again. While I think I brunt them a little, they were still delicious and almost as crispy as French fries. A side of avocado dipping sauce, which I made by combining a few tablespoons of mayo and mashed avocado made each bite a delight.

Festive Cinco de Mayo at Mojave

Today's Cinco de Mayo celebration went off with a bang in Astoria, especially for my friends, Kimberly, Michelle and me, as we spent it at Mojave.  Deciding to drop in on the earlier side, as they were featuring $5 Herradura margaritas at the bar and a live band, the place was packed to the gills.  

We decided to take a seat in the main dining room, and eat a proper dinner, which was the right way to go.  Not only was it boisterous and fun, as we still heard the music loud and clear (but not too loud to hear ourselves talk), we got got a more chill experience.  Here's what we feasted on...

I apologize in advance for the poor photos.  While I normally wouldn't share something of this quality, I still wanted you to have a visual prompter along with my descriptions.

Fish Tacos - Mojave's catch of the day tacos were a light way to go, as the fish was grilled not fried and then topped with a fresh pineapple, onion salsa.  While I can't say the tacos were overly flavorful, they were easy to put down, especially when embellished with Mojave's chunky guacamole.  Note that the portion is large and totally conducive to sharing with another person.

Short Rib Quesadilla - Kimberly ordered this hearty, and a little bit indulgent quesadilla, which I got a big piece of as well.  I enjoyed the smoky flavor of the short ribs which were generously distributed throughout the tortilla.  Although I love me some cheese, I thought there was a tad too much of it in this and would prefer them to be heavier handed with the roasted corn, sweet onions, tomatoes and other veggies.

Steak and Enchilada Combo - Michelle's main course was the most impressive and a clear winner, in my opinion.  The steak was cooked to a nice medium consistency and glazed with a deeply flavored mole sauce, which dressed the enchilada beautifully.  An impressive stack of fried onion rings and a heap of fresh cilantro helped to garnish this already decadent creation.

Margaritas - Washing all these goodies down with a refreshing fruit based margarita made this Cinco complete.  Michelle and I went with the mango while Kimberly chose the blood orange--both flavors getting high marks on flavor, mild sweetness and a beautiful vibrant color.

Service and Cost:
Given the very busy conditions that go along with Cinco de Mayo, it was impressive to see how efficient and organized Mojave's staff was.  Our waiter was totally on point, and did a good job of anticipating our needs.  We never felt we waited too long for anything and the staff was always up and about, so it was easy to get their attention.

Costs are very fair for the fantastic atmosphere and the good quality of food.  I'd definitely return again, and try a fancier dish such as the one Michelle got.  We paid a total of $43/person including tax and tip.

2.5 Mmmms

Mojave - 22-36 31st Street Astoria NY 11105
718.545.4100
N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.mojaveny

Awesome Drinks and Food Specials at Pachanga Patterson

It was a crummy, rainy day today, which is both a bummer and a blessing in disguise.  After a few long days in Austin for SXSW, I took the day off to recharge a bit, which was totally awesome, as Dan happened to be home as well and we spent the day together relaxing and hangin' in LIC and Astoria.

First we hit the Noguchi Museum, which I haven't been to in years.  For those of you who haven't yet been, it's a charming little sculpture museum, which you can get through in under an hour and get a lot out of it to boot.  We saw a few exhibitions, including Noguchi's early drawings and the Archaic/Modern collection, which were both lovely - here are a few highlights.



After the museum, we headed for a quick happy hour drink at Pachanga Patterson, and it was awesome.  I love their happy hour menu, which extends competitive prices for their homemade margaritas.  For just $5, you can get a deliciou freshly made margarita, including fun flavors such as hibiscus and mango.  I got the former and totally loved its vibrant color and tropical flavor.  It reminded me of something drunk on a sunny beach, which is of course where I'd rather be.  We got a side of chips and tomatillo honey salsa with it too, which totally did the trick.  It was mild and a little garlicky, tasting very delicious together with the vibrant drinks.


During our visit, I also spied an interesting late night special, consisting of $1 tacos with the purchase of a drink between the hours of 11 p.m - 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Pachanga Patterson - 33-17 31st Avenue, Astoria NY 11106
718.554.0525
N/Q Train to Broadway
www.pachangapatterson.com

El Maguey y La Tuna - Mexican Comfort Food Passed Down by Generations

Everyone has a few key food buzzwords that get them going when eating out at restaurants (blue cheese, bacon, chocolate, avocado, and so forth), and for me, one of those buzzwords is "Mexican."  All the delicious things that go with that word get my tastebuds tingling for something spicy, cheesy, hearty and comforting.  That's why I was super excited to visit a small, charming Mexican restaurant called El Maguey y La Tuna, with a few other blogger comrades.

Atmosphere:
Situated on East Houston Street in Manhattan's Lower East Side neighborhood, El Maguey y La Tuna sits in the company of other great eats, so needless to say there's a lot to choose from.  I like that Maguey stands apart from the rest though, as it's positioned further East than the tight cluster of other restaurants that decorates this neighborhood.

While the interior is simple and no frills, it feels comfortable and authentic, sporting white subway tile walls and tables, authentic Mexican folk art and a smallish custom made bar.  It was fun to come here with a large group, but think that the intimate space is better suited for couples or smaller parties.  We observed a few folks dining here who seemed like regulars, which is always a good sign.

Food:
Receiving a generous sampling of shared plates that represented a little bit of everything on the menu, my comrades and I enjoyed the communal nature of this meal.  Everything was tasty and interesting, with the following standing apart as my favorites:

Flautas - These fried little beauties came stuffed with a hearty chicken filling that was juxtaposed by fresh flavors of avocado crema and a zesty pico de gallo.  Despite it being a fried dish, it felt light and airy and something I'd like to bite into again.

Mole Poblano - I adore a good mole poblano, mainly due to its rich color and the use of chocolate, which is ever so subtle.  Maguey's was executed perfectly, as it boasted a sweet, smooth flavor that hugged the white meat chicken that was tender and juicy inside.  Little white flecks of sesame seeds provided a touch of crunch.

Mole de 5 Chile - Never having tried this rendition of mole, I was pleasantly surprised by the pop in flavor from the dried chiles and spices used to construct the sauce.  Despite its fiery look, the taste wasn't overly spicy but certainly held its own next to the mild chicken.  A side of rice or a soft corn tortilla did the job of drinking up that delicious sauce and transporting it into our pining tummies.

Jalapeno Margarita - Always welcoming a spicy margarita in my mouth, this one came on the rocks and used fresh juices and sliced jalapenos, giving it a nice kick.  While it's not for the faint of heart, the flavor isn't over the top.

Ponche - Because this drink isn't technically on the menu makes it that much more special.  Maria, Maguey's chef gave us a touch of history behind it, shedding light on the fact that it's mainly served during holiday time.  Consisting of warm, cooked fruits such as apples, pears, oranges, prunes and even a few tropical fruits we've never heard of, it's Mexico's version of mulled wine - with some tequila in place of wine, of course.

Service and Cost:
We loved the personal way in which everything is handled at El Maguey y La Tuna, from the interior decor to the down home comforting dishes.  As mentioned, we got to chat with Maria Luisa, Maguey's chef who not only knew all the ins and outs of the family recipes, but felt closely connected with customers, giving them what they truly want.

Costs are wallet friendly, allowing you to eat like a king in the big city:

Appetizers - $3.95 -$12.95
Tacos - $6.95 - $8.95
Seafood - $12.95 - $15.95
House Specialties - $13.95 - $16.95
Desserts - $4.95

3 Mmmms

El Maguey y La Tuna - 321 East Houston Street, New York NY 10002
212.473.3919
F Train to 2nd Avenue
www.magueyylatuna.com

Mexican Style Quinoa - A New Spin on Gluten Free

Getting back to my gluten free diet had me experimenting with different types of foods, including quinoa, which is always a safe bet.  I've made quinoa dishes many times before, and therefore was looking for something a little different to keep us excited about eating it.

Finding an interesting but still really simple gluten free recipe on my Pinterest board, I decided to go for this Mexican style quinoa dish.  Loving all the bright colors and the healthful ingredients, I put it together for a recent We Heart Astoria get-together.  Received well by my colleagues as well as by Dan, I'll certainly be making it again and will probably add a bit more protein to it, including cheese and grilled chicken.  I love this dish because it takes only about a half an hour to put together and doesn't require any special ingredients - it's the perfect thing to make with a lot of leftovers in your pantry.

Mexican style Quinoa recipe, courtesy of A Teaspoon of Happiness Blog

Casa Enrique's Mole Comfort

Anyone who knows me can vouch for how much I love Mexican food.  It's one of the most deliciously flavorful meals I can virtually have on any given day, and I enjoy both making Mexican food at home as well as having it when dining out.

Naturally, I was craving it recently and immediately thought of Casa Enrique in LIC. Since Dan hasn't been there yet, I thought it'd be the perfect opportunity for him to try it, and for me to indulge in something spicy and comforting.

Guacamole - Even though I've tried this here the last time I came, we just couldn't resist.  Loving the texture of this guac, it was both chunky and a little smooth with some punchy flavor from the jalapenos.  I like that we got it moderate to a little spicy, which tickled our tastebuds and got us excited for the next course.

Mole de Piaxtla - It's hard for me to resist a rich, chocolatey mole, so this dish was a must for me.  The chicken was super tender and deeply flavored by the thick mole sauce, which was pretty mild but created an almost stew-like consistency.  The modest side of rice, which came on the side was yet again a tasty vessel for that magical sauce.

Service and Cost:
Very happy with the level of service we received, it felt good to be well taken care of and checked on throughout the evening.  Although the staff was attentive, we never felt annoyed or pestered.

Costs are moderate and we paid about $60 including tax and tip for two entrees, guacamole and one sangria.

3 Mmmms

Casa Enrique - 5-48 49th Avenue, LIC NY 11101
347.448.6040
7 Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Avenue

Last Minute Cinco de Mayo Roundup

Since it's Cinco de Mayo tomorrow, and lucky for us it falls on a Sunday, there's no excuse to not celebrate.  It's a huge weekend in general actually, with the Kentucky Derby and Greek Easter happening as well, so whatever you're celebrating, here are some festive suggestions.

Mojave - In honor of Cinco de Mayo, they're featuring $4 shots of El Jimador tequila, $9 Herradura margaritas or 4 shots for $25.  Their outdoor garden will be open too so if it's warm enough, it'll be great to celebrate al fresco.   22-36 31st Street, Astoria.  718.545.4100

Pachanga Patterson - Even though their brunch and dinner menu will remain the same tomorrow, they'll feature their infused tequila shots in the spirit of Cinco de Mayo.  A few personal food recommendations include the steak tacos, chicken hot dogs and the veggie jenga.  33-17 31st Avenue, Astoria.  718.554.0525

Casa Enrique - I love this relatively new Mexican cafe in LIC that's clean, simple and serves some of the best mole I've had.  Featuring their regular menu tomorrow, it's definitely worth going in for a margarita or sangria and enjoying a fabulous sit down dinner with a group of friends or your significant other.  5-48 49th Avenue, LIC.  347.448.6040

5 Burro Cafe - Recently having the pleasure of trying this dive cafe in Forest Hills, it's a total must, if not tomorrow, just anytime.  Although the space is small and there's often a bit of a wait, the no frills, delightful Mexican food is totally worth it.  The guacamole with chunky red peppers serves as a yummy beginning, while the tacos Al Pastor send you right to heaven with tender marinated pork with a spicy pineapple salsa.  72-05 Austin Street, Forest Hills.  718.544.2984

Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden - Get out your party outfit, for the beer garden's Cinco de Mayo Festival, which boasts live music, raffles (and prizes), as well as live entertainment.  Enjoy the beautiful weather by camping out in this awesome outdoor space.  I usually bring a set of games such as Apples to Apples, Cards Against Humanity, and Jenga to keep our group entertained.  29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria.  718.274.4925

Casa Enrique Surprises and Delights

A few weeks ago, I wrote about the new cocktail offering at LIC Latin eatery, Casa Enrique.  And recently, my We Heart Astoria friends, Meg & Mackenzi as well as Bradley from Amuse Bouche had the chance to try it out.  I'll admit that I enjoyed the food a lot more than the drinks, which were pretty standard, but overall I liked my experience very much and would love to come back.

Atmosphere:
Classy, sleek and almost all white, Casa Enrique is full of modern touches that go so well with the nouveau neighborhood in which it's located.  I like that it's super close to the subway, yet far enough from Vernon Blvd, where it feels private and nice and quiet.

The inside is laid out in an interesting fashion, with a large communal table up front (where we sat), and more traditional two and four top tables towards the back of the restaurant.  I noticed the beautiful flower arrangements, which were supplied by LIC flower extraordinaire, Floresta--providing a much needed pop of color in the simple monochrome environment.

Food:
Even though the menu isn't huge, there are plenty of things to choose from, especially if you enjoy Latin classics such as enchiladas, mole, carne asada and the like.  However, besides the simple dishes, there are some funky looking things on the menu as well such as cow tongue.

Guacamole - We started with a classic bowl of guac, which was simple and tasty.  I loved the slightly chunky consistency and the side of totopos (aka fresh, crunchy tortilla chips).  There was also a side of these wormy looking crackers that looked like cheese doodles but tasted anything but.  Instead, they were light and airy and didn't leave you with nasty, orange fingers.

Enchiladas Moles - I adore mole and when I saw how meticulously it's prepared here (boasting many vibrant ingredients), I had to try it.  First off, the sauce was a gorgeous chocolatey-brown color and the taste was just out of this world.  Rich, earthy and a little spicy, the mole was a delicious sauce that coated the enchiladas from the outside and was just a wonderful thing to dip into once you broke the middle and got access to the tender chicken meat.  The mole is made with a mix of dry peppers, almonds, raisins, plantain, sesame seeds and chocolate - ooh la la!

Dessert - Although I didn't go for the dessert myself, my friends really enjoyed the molten chocolate cake and the chocolate budino (or pudding), which came with fresh whipped cream and crunchy wafers.  All was gone at the end of the meal so I think operation full, satisfied tummy fully accomplished. 

Service and Cost:
The service was pretty relaxed, and although we sat a bit far from the rest of the diners in the other room, we were definitely noticed and served promptly.  Although our waitress did a good job of asking us if we needed anything, she wasn't rushing us out to leave and I had the feeling that we could've lingered longer if we wanted to.

Costs are moderate and include:

Appetizers - $8-$12
Tacos - $8-$14
Entrees - $13-$22

3 Mmmms

Casa Enrique - 5-48 49th Avenue, LIC NY 11101
347.448.6040
7 Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Avenue

Casa Enrique Rolls Out New Cocktail Offering

Image by Casa Enrique

Casa Enrique, LIC's new modern Latin eatery has garnered nice attention, and some of my fellow foodie friends have certainly sang its praises.  While I still have yet to get myself over there, it's definitely on my list - and now even more so with this delicious-sounding cocktail menu.  Check out their new drinks (and eats) below:

Margarita - classic, mango, strawberry or tamarind
Aguachile - tequila, Cointreau, orange juice, agave, jalapeño, cucumber, lime juice
Chimbombo Margarita - a classic margarita with a kick of spicy sauce
Sangria - red wine, brandy, cachaça, orange juice, lime juice
Mojito - Bacardi light rum, fresh mint, lime juice, sugar
Michelada - Modelo Especial, Valentina sauce
Selection of Mexican beers, tequilas, and sparkling, rosé, white and red wines

Sopes de Chorizo - homemade thick corn tortilla, chorizo, black beans, avocado, cream
Pastor Taqueria - pork taco marinated in chilies and pineapple
Mole de Piaxtla - mole sauce made of more than 30 ingredients over braised chicken
Chamorro de Borrego - lamb shank braised in chili pulla, huajes & epazote
Pastel Tres Leches - sponge cake made of three kinds of milk, goat milk caramel

Casa Enrique - 5-48 49th Avenue, LIC, NY 11101
347.448.8180
7 Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Avenue

Spur-of-the-Moment Lunch at Nixtamal

I love having the excuse, any chance I get, to visit Tortilleria Nixtamal, and it's been quite a while.  Getting that itch for their delectable tacos and tamales, Dan and I decided to make a pit stop for lunch, after visiting friends, Grant and Katie in their new casa.  Unfortunately, the drive over was quite hellish, but as always, it was so worth it, making us forget about all those pestering traffic escapades.  Here's what we had:

Tamales:
We can never come here without including a hefty tamale to our order.  This time around, we tried two varieties including the chicken mole and the chicken with red salsa.  Both were flavorful and delicious, and we loved putting both the red and green (really spicy) salsa sauce on top for added flavor.  While I liked mine, I thought they could've gone heavier on the mole sauce, which seemed a little bit like an afterthought.  The chicken tamale however had larger pieces of meat inside and was definitely more generously doused in red salsa sauce, which was just delicious.  Dan gave me a bite of his and I secretly wished I ordered it.  Next time!

Tacos:
Since we both got tamales, which were very filling, we thought that ordering two additional tacos would be enough.  And it was.  The Al Pastor, with rotisserie pork, sweet chunks of pineapple, chopped onions and cilantro were nomtastic, as my friend Meg would say.  The pork had a nice smokey-sweet flavor, which totally hit the spot and felt like the perfect bite of slow cooked meat.  Although it didn't need much else, we were totally obsessed with the red salsa sauce, which we put on top anyway.

Additionally to this, I also got the barbacoa taco, with seasoned lamb, prepared by being steamed in maguey (agave) leaves, which just like the Al Pastor, made it ultra tender.  This was definitely a lot spicier in flavor, as it was topped with green jalapeno peppers, which gave it that extra kick.  While it definitely gave your tastebuds a jolt, it wasn't too spicy and went perfectly with the deep, rich flavored meat.  If you're a lamb lover, you're going to love this non-traditional, sophisticated taco.

Service and Cost:
As always, the service was fantastic and the perfect amount of attentive.  Since all dishes take just a short time to prepare, we were in and out of there in about a half an hour, but could've stayed as long as we wanted.  They had the football and basketball games on, which is an added bonus for all you staunch sports fans.

Costs remain inexpensive and for the above mentioned lunch, including a beer and two lbs of tortillas to go, we paid about $33 with tax and tip.

3 Mmmms

Tortilleria Nixtamal - 104-05 47th Avenue, Corona NY 11368
 718.699.2434
7 Train to 103rd Street

www.tortillerianixtamal.com

Happy Election Day - Free Mojave Margarita

It's election day all, as you know, and I hope that many of you have already gotten your vote on.  Many businesses are getting in the spirit, offering fun little treats and incentives for our politically spirited residents.  Here's a fun one from Mojave - I hope you enjoy it!

Mojave's Election Deal
If you come in to Mojave today, get a red, white and blue margarita on the house with your main course order.  Their margaritas are delicious and they use real fruit to make them extra special.

In terms of entrees, I highly recommend the Santa Fe Shepherd's Pie, the Chile Glazed Meatloaf, and the Bandera Duck Enchiladas.  But really...everything is good.

Mojave - 22-36 31st Street Astoria NY 11105
718.545.4100
N/Q Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.mojaveny

Havana Hideout – Delicious Treasure Found

As we were vacationing in South Florida this past week, I always take the opportunity to try something new as far as restaurants are concerned. And even though Havana Hideout was on my list of places to try for quite a while, we never actually got there till now, since it’s a little bit of a trip from where we were staying. Well now after going, I’m happy to say that we’ll definitely be back to this fabulous and somehow yet still subdued hideaway.

Atmosphere:
Before I get into Havana’s relaxing atmosphere, I must caveat this review with the fact that this place has been featured on Guy Fieri’s popular, Diners, Drive-ins and Dives program on the Food Network, which Dan and I are big fans of. So we kind of knew that we were in for something good.

Walking up to its building (or more accurately described as a shack), Dan was a bit skeptical, but I had high hopes. We walked in, confronted by a really laid back vibe with some current alternative rock jams, a waitress at the bar and some casual stools to sit on. We ordered from the menu, and of course noticed that it had a special section citing the choices Guy tried when he came to visit.

After placing our orders, we headed outside to the picnic area that made you feel almost as if you were at the beach. There were picnic tables, casual metal chairs, beach umbrellas and even a sandy texture to the ground. The tunes we heard inside carried through and we immediately felt relaxed and happy to be there.

Food:
Since our eyes gravitated to Guy’s choices right away, I went with the spicy fish tacos and Dan chose the Triple D, which sounded fabulous, and I knew I’d have some of it to sample.

Grilled Achiote Rubbed Fish Tacos – I adore fish tacos and was hopeful for something yummy. It was great to see that Havana delivered, and then some, with their large fish tacos, dressed with a sweet fresh pineapple and red pepper salsa. Never seeing something like this on a fish taco, I welcomed their creativity and think it worked really well to balance out the spice used in the fish. I also liked the crunchy cole slaw at the bottom of the taco, which gave it yet another element of uniqueness - overall, a home run and something I’d highly recommend.

Triple D – Dan’s Triple D plate was gargantuan, and besides including one of the fish tacos identical to mine, it also had a half of a Cuban sandwich and a generous piece of pionono (a Puerto Rican layer dish with ground beef, sweet plantains, raisins and olives sealed in a hearty sauce). I had a few generous pieces of the latter two dishes and my favorite by far was the Cuban, which was beautifully toasted on the outside and had the most flavorful contents of tender roast pork, smokey ham, beautifully melted cheese, and a crunchy pickle. They also used a really creamy, spicy mayo, which we adored—serving as the binder for all the ingredients.

The pionono was really amazing as well, the sweet plantains being really soft and almost dessert like. I loved taking a huge forkful of the meat and the plantains together, enjoying this expertly sweet and savory marriage.

Service and Cost:
Although Havana Hideout has only one waitress and another person who cooks the food, they do an absolutely bang-up job. Our waitress couldn’t be friendlier and made sure we were taken care of to the T. She was warm and welcoming but not imposing, as some of our waitstaff at other restaurants that week.

Costs are really wallet friendly and for the above mentioned food we ordered (at huge portions), as well as two 8 oz. craft beers, we paid about $34 total. You did well Guy – thanks for the awesome find!

3 Mmmms

Havana Hideout – 509 Lake Avenue, Lake Worth, FL 33460
561.585.8444
www.havanahideout.com

Chilaquiles...it's what's for Dinner

Once again inspired by my visit to the West coast, I remembered the delicious breakfast Jess made for me on my last day there. Tapping into her family's traditions, she whipped me up a plate of chilaquiles, which were to die for.  Explaining that her family's version was quite unique since they kept the tortillas crispy, I was in the mood to try it too.  While mine didn't stay crispy unfortunately, I liked them just the same and instead of eating them for breakfast, I enjoyed them as a special dinner treat.  Dan liked them too and compared them to Matzoh Brie.

Dinner Chilaquiles (serves 1)
2 eggs, beaten
2 corn tortillas, sliced into triangles
1/2 small red onion, chopped fine
2 tbs of pickled jalapenos, chopped (adjust portion to your taste, and if you don't like spicy food, you can omit this altogether)
Small bunch of fresh cilantro, chopped
Habanero salsa (or something of your choice, but it should be tomato based)
3 slices of fresh avocado
Salt and pepper to taste
Olive oil

Directions:
In a stainless medium sized skillet, heat oil until hot and then add onions, jalapenos and tortillas.  Cook for about 5 - 6 minutes, stirring to make sure that the tortillas get a nice, golden brown color.

Add eggs and stir in slowly with a wooden spoon to incorporate all the ingredients.  Add salt and pepper.  Lower the heat and mix in the salsa and stir for another minute or two.

Transfer to a bowl, season with fresh cilantro and top with avocado.

When in Rancho...Eat Nopales!

During my recent stay in San Francisco, I ended the trip by flying out to LA and visiting friends, Jess, Adrian and their little boy Declan.  They live in a town called Rancho Cucamonga, which is a fabulous name and an even prettier town that overlooks the gorgeous San Gabriel Mountains (see above pic).  

I was welcomed by my friends with a fabulous homemade dinner hosted by Jess' mom, Martha who made a traditional Mexican meal.  It was oh so delicious and made with love that emanated from the food.  My personal favorite that was just so different from anything I've ever had was the Nopales or cactus salad, inspired by Jess' grandfather's recipe.  The salad was fresh and earthy and included not only the smooth cactus but also tomatoes, red onions and a really light dressing.  I asked for the rough recipe and decided to recreate it at home.  I hope you give it a try.

Nopales Salad a La Martin Family

Ingredients (serves 2)
3 fresh cacti, de-prickled (you can get these in any specialty Latin market)
2 medium sized tomatoes, seeded and chopped into 1/4 inch pieces
1/4 cup of red onion, chopped fine
1/2 avocado, sliced into 1/4 inch pieces
Olive oil and white wine vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Place the cactus in a saucepan and cover in water.  Let boil and then lower heat to let it simmer for about 1 hour or until the cactus get soft.  Let cool for about 15 minutes and then slice the cactus into 1/2 inch pieces.  Combine cactus with the rest of the above ingredients and stir together with a wooden spoon.  Season with olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper to your liking.  Enjoy with your favorite Mexican entree like enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas or what have you.

A special thanks to Jess' mom Martha for making this fabulous dish! I hope you all enjoy it.