Cuisine: Mexican

I considered tagging this post "Food Everybody Likes" since who doesn't like Mexican? I'm sure there's someone out there, but I don't know them. Usually even when someone isn't a fan of international cuisines (or hasn't experienced them much), they still like Italian and Mexican.

Unfortunately, most Mexican restaurants are made to suit American tastes, often more Tex-Mex than real Mexican. My own deep dark secret is that I still like those places, even if they aren't authentic. To me, the wonderful thing about Mexican restaurants is that they are so diverse and versatile. You can get a cheap burrito (or a not-so-cheap burrito from Chipotle), or experience fine dining. The two restaurants I'm reviewing in this post illustrate this idea.


Besito, West Hartford: www.besitomex.com/

The food: This is what I call "gourmet Mexican." If, like me, you've been to so many Mexican restaurants that they all seem to run together, you are in for a pleasant surprise here. The dishes are intriguing, innovative, and prepared perfectly, with quality ingredients like salmon, adobo chicken, and filet mignon.

I had the enchiladas de mole poblano, a shredded chicken enchilada in a mole sauce with cilantro (one of my favorite flavors) and onion. The highlight of the meal was the mole sauce, the best I've ever had (mole is a rich chocolate and chili pepper sauce). It was also the ideal amount of cilantro, and not overpowering at all. Kevin had the enchilada suiza, the same dish but with a tomatillo (green tomato) sauce. It was the same high quality as the mole.

We also got delectable fried sweet plantains for an appetizer. If you want to splurge, the waiters will make fresh guacamole for you right at your table.

The vibe: Gorgeous. I was absolutely enchanted by the decor, and I thought I was in Mexico. The whole place was alight with candles and ornate lamps, giving the restaurant a romantic touch. I can't do it justice, so check out the pictures online. The tables were immaculate, as was the service. At the end of the meal we were each given piping hot cinnamon churros and small "worry" dolls to take away worries at night. All of these little touches made this such a memorable dining experience.

The value: The downside to all this, of course, was the price. Yes, it was expensive, and I probably wouldn't order drinks at the bar there. But for a special occasion, it is so worth it.

Go for: A fancy date...your date will be so impressed!


For a much more typical--though affordable--experience, try:

Coyote Flaco, Hartford and Mansfield: mycoyoteflaco.com/

The food: The menu is average, but they have a nice variety of combo platters. They also give you a lot of food--be prepared for leftovers! Everything is tasty (if not that spicy), including their homemade salsa and chips. My favorite part of the dinner, though, was dessert--fried ice cream. Everything is better deep fried, and you can get ice cream with a fried shell at Mexican or Asian restaurants. The Asian variety uses tempura batter, while Mexican versions use cornflakes to coat the ice cream. I prefer the Mexican way, though both are delicious.

The vibe: Casual and fun, with lots of interesting Mexican decorations.

The value: It depends on what you order, but most entrees are reasonably priced and you'll still have money left over for that margarita!

Go for: Night out with friends


Puerto Vallarta, Southington: www.puertovallartausa.com/

The food: Fellow foodie Steph and I recently came here for dinner. It had great reviews, and it did not disappoint. In fact, everything looked so good on the menu that we had great difficulty deciding what to order! Some of their dishes are quite unique--I wasn't quite brave enough to try the cactus burrito! We started off with guacamole made fresh at our table (since Steph had a coupon, found on their website) and chips and salsa. We ordered the guacamole made slightly spicy, and both the guac and salsa were delicious since they had lots of cilantro. For dinner, I had the mole enchiladas poblano; it had tons of mole sauce, but that was a good thing, since I cleaned my plate. Take a look at the dessert menu before you leave, since they have lots of options, including flan, sopapillas, and fried ice cream with chocolate and honey.

The vibe: Friendly and casual. When we walked in, the greeter began by welcoming us in Spanish. They also have a live mariachi band, adding to the fun atmosphere.

The value: Good, especially since the menu is so extensive that you can choose between pricy or more affordable dishes.

Go for: Happy hour or dinner