OVERALL
An absolute Austin gem for Mexican food with casual seating, wonderful service, and an *excellent all-around menu* of snacks, entrees, and desserts. So delighted we took this recommendation and would 10/10 return!
AMBIANCE
Wooden high tops, dining tables, bar seating and a spiral staircase to outdoor seating with hanging plants and dim-cozy lighting and music vibes. Great for date nights and hang-outs. Parking is limited though.
SERVICE
We visited on a late evening just before 6pm to snag the happy hour deals. Upon entering, we were asked whether we preferred indoor or outdoor seating. After selecting, we were promptly seated at a high top table near the bar and kitchen area.
A few moments later, our waitress came by to offer drinks, place delicious chips and salsa verde and salsa rojo on the table, and ask if we had menu queries before giving us a few moments to look it over.
FOOD
As we perused the menu, our waitress replenished our salsas which tasted fresh, tangy, and bright.
With an assorted menu options of antojitos (snacks), rellenos, tacos, and kitchen entrees, we ultimately put in an order for the happy hour ceviche classico offer, arranchero with corn and flour tortillas, and 4 various tacos given they were street taco sized.
1. ANTOJITOS
The ceviche classico arrived quickly soon after, with the citrus marinated corvina (or white sea bass, I think) well balanced with serranos and tomato's and guacamole flavors and the crunchy corn tostados. We found this dish super refreshing, colorfully displayed! It's true that perhaps a flatter bowl may have made scooping and sharing more convenient, we are glad we ordered this light pre-entree snack to start the evening.
2. ENTREES
Once we finished, after 10 minutes or so, both our entrees arrived. Both were beautifully plated and fairly portioned for the price point in our opinion.
The arranchera was a perfect medium-rare!, flavorful, and served with deliciously grilled vegetable medley and lovely roasted papitas to close the dish. The tacos were also quite delicious: offering a good combo of textures from the soft (roasted meat), chewy (tortilla), crispy (fresh vegetables), and crunchy (pickled carrots) with every bite. We were particularly pleased with the arranchera, duck taco and lamb barbocoa!
3. DESSERTS
We couldn't skip out on dessert given the excellent experience so far and the interesting menu options, so we went for the espresso les leche and chocolate cake with an additional scoop of vanilla ice cream for a charge because no one can turn down a warm chocolate fudgey cake with ice cream!
Both were absolutely excellent! The chocolate cake was warm and fudgey, gooey interior but nicely crunchy on the edges. The les leche cake with espresso tequila was quite a special mini twist with the mango bits. It was tall, light and fluffy, and the right balance of sweetness (and not too heavy on the espresso). Would definitely order these two again! read more