La Vita Mia

Good pizza is hard to find in Astoria. I can even go so far as to say good pizza is hard to find in NYC. In a city known for their slices, the low barriers to entry and sustainable profit margin means lots of spots claiming they serve the best pizza in town.

Pizza wise, Astoria is known for Rizzo’s and Sac’s, but there is one lesser known place that I can stand behind as having the best pizza in Astoria: La Vita Mia. A bit off the beaten path on 24^th Avenue and 28^th Street, I happened upon La Vita Mia walking back from Astoria Park one day, and have been hooked ever since. Rizzo’s is known for their Sicilian-esque, saucy slices, and recently expanded from their Astoria outpost to the Upper East Side, a big feat for any Astoria establishment. Thin crust, and brick oven baked define Sac’s pizza. But for those out there who crave a true New York slice, La Vita Mia is it.

The interior and décor of La Vita Mia is standard, no frills, pizza joint. What lacks in character in the décor is picked up by the staff and owner. The owner is a genuine New Yorker, with a boisterous laugh and a New York accent laid thick. You can tell if he’s in from his loud jokes and voice bouncing off the walls, along with playful banter towards his staff. The owner alone makes a visit to La Vita Mia an experience.

La Vita Mia nails the perfect pie – the ingredients are fresh, toppings plentiful, and the crust is fluffy with just the right amount of crunch. Not being a huge crust eater, I find myself nibbling on La Vita Mia’s without even noticing. My favorite pizza pie at La Vita Mia is my own concoction – a white pie with sausage. I’ve had this pie at other places to compare, but nowhere else makes it as delicious as La Vita Mia. Top it with Frank’s hot sauce, (and they only have Frank’s, as the owner asserted one day) and you’re set.

Pizza aside, La Vita Mia offers plenty of other options, including heroes, pastas, wraps, and salads. The one downside of La Vita Mia is that it closes at 10:00pm. Being a block away from Bohemian Hall (the oldest and most quintessential beer garden in NY), I think they could benefit greatly from the hungry, post-drinking crowd.

white pie w. sausage

Seva

With many Indian restaurants to choose from in Astoria, Seva stands out amongst the crowd. Offering flavorful, top notch Indian fare, an excellent prix fix menu, outstanding service and ambience, Seva truly is a gem. Seva is personally my favorite Indian restaurant, and one of my preferred restaurants in Astoria.

Seva consists of a small yet inviting room, holding about twelve tables, with the kitchen and bathrooms located in the downstairs area. Dimly lit, the place is filled with light flowing in from the windowS against the left wall, as well as the candles flickering on each of the tables and bouncing off the colorful, intricate chandeliers. The service is not to be beat, with friendly waiters coming to refill the tin water cups faster than you can finish, and taking your order with a smile. Instrumental Indian music plays in the background. Although the space is small, I feel more cozy than suffocated while inside.

interior

I’ve been to Seva more than any other restaurant in Astoria (although it may be a tie with the weekend morning bagels I crave from Mt. Olympus Bagels) and have yet to experience a bad meal or less than stellar dining experience. Seva starts you off with a light and crispy serving of Pappadum, accompanied with tamarind and mint chutneys.  The prix fix menu is the way to go at Seva, with an appetizer, entrée, Basmati rice, and dessert for $13.50. Not only that, but the portions are generous, guaranteeing a leftover meal the next day. For our visit, my friend and I ordered the Masala Crab Cake and Butternut Squash Soup for appetizers, Chana Saag and Chicken Tikka Masala as the entrees, and Kheer for dessert, along with Garlic Nan, Mango Lassi, and Iced Tea.

This visit was my first time trying the Butternut Squash Soup. I usually get the Vegetable Samosa, which has a perfectly crispy, flaky shell filled with spiced potatoes and green peas, served on top of mint and tamarind chutneys. Not certain the soup could hold up to my samosa expectations, I was pleasantly surprised to find the Butternut Squash Soup had the same depth in flavors as the samosa, and was thick and creamy as if it has been simmering all day. The soup is spiced with nutmeg, tamarind, and a hint of cinnamon, with just the right amount of kick. The Masala Crab Cake consists of lump crab meat, garam masala, and mint, served on top of a yogurt and lemon-cilantro sauce. The yogurt sauce stabilizes the heat of the garam masala spices.

Butternut Squash Soup

Masala Crab Cake

Seva offers Mango and Sweet Rose Lassi. Both are freshly made, thick yogurt-based smoothies. The Sweet Rose has a more subtle, almost vanilla taste than the Mango, which is (obviously) more fruity.  The Iced Tea has been described by my iced tea aficionado pal as the best iced tea he’s had, with the taste of real spices in each sip a pleasant surprise over the generic Lipton black tea served at most places.

Iced Tea + Mango Lassi

The vegetarian Chana Saag consists of chickpeas and spinach flavored with ginger, tomatoes, and cardamom. Indian cuisine can gloriously give vegetarian dishes the flavors most non-vegetarians carp about, and Seva nails it with their Chana Saag. The smooth texture of the spinach, paired with the chickpeas, makes it an excellent choice for vegetarians and non-vegetarians as well.

Chana Saag + Garlic Nan

The Chicken Tikka Masala is my staple Seva dish. As much as I tell myself I will order their other dishes, the dish is so perfectly done, I cannot gravitate away from it. The dish consists of tender white meat cubed chicken, cooked in a clay oven and served in a light cream tomato sauce. Seva lets you choose the spiciness of your entrée, in either mild, medium, or hot, although even the mild has a spicy kick. The Chicken Tikka Masala comes topped with fresh parsley, which accompanies the delicate yet complex flavors embedded in the dish. The sauce is extremely flavorful, and the meat is so tender making this a favorite dish. The Basmati rice is also subtly spiced with cloves and saffron.

Chicken Tikka Masala

Seva offers many types of Nan, leavened soft fresh bread that is clay oven baked. Each Nan is freshly made when ordered, and comes out hot and lightly charred from the oven. Flavors include rosemary, coconut, onion, cilantro, and cheese, but my favorite is the Garlic Nan, sprinkled with finely chopped garlic and butter.

The two most popular desserts at Seva are the Kheer and Gulab Jamun. Both are fantastic. The Gulab Jamun are honeyed dumplings, spiced with cardamom, cloves and rosewater. They are very sweet, and the flavor is strong. I enjoy the texture of the spongy dumplings, and the fact that I’ve never tasted anything quite like it appeals to me.

Their Kheer is equally delicious, and consists of rice pudding flavored with coconut flakes, vanilla, and golden raisins. Calling Seva’s Kheer simply rice pudding is an understatement – the flavors are so rich and creamy, it goes above and beyond just a rice pudding.

Kheer

Seva is not to be missed when in Astoria. Located right next door to hotspot Sweet Afton, Seva is itself becoming another equally popular destination for locals and visitors alike. The delicious food, friendly waitstaff, not-to-be-outdone prices, and unique ambience at Seva help make Astoria an awesome place to live and eat.

Thai Pavilion

Entering Thai Pavilion evokes bygone sentiments with a feel straight out of the 90s: plastic flowers in vases on each table, black chairs tucked into pink clothed tables, with white floors and white walls adorned with nondescript framed paintings. A faded photograph of a young Brad Pitt and Harrison Ford decked out in sunglasses and enjoying some beers on their off time from the 1997 thriller The Devil’s Own hanging on the doorway completes the picture.

interior of Thai Pavilion

interior 

interior

Past era décor aside, Thai Pavilion offers fresh, delicious food at very affordable prices, with a speed that cannot be matched. Located on the bustling 30^th Avenue, sandwiched between the newly re-opened hotspot Flo, and newcomer Butcher Bar (each garnering their unique clientele), Thai Pavilion stands its ground. The real estate at Thai Pavilion is huge for Astoria restaurant standards, with ample seating and a deep interior. Thai Pavilion also recently opened another Astoria location near Astoria Park on 21^st Street. 

On a recent visit, my friend and I ordered the Beef Pad Khow-Pow On and the Chicken Pad Ka Na, each served with a pyramid of rice. The Beef Pad Khow-Pow On is served with baby corn, mushrooms, onions, and scallions (amoungst other vegetables), and tender, juicy beef.  The Chicken Pad Ka NA consists of chicken sautéed with Chinese broccoli, garlic, and oyster sauce. The Chinese broccoli was perfectly firm and fresh, and the oyster sauce gave the meat and vegetables a rich flavor.  While nice and savory at first, the sauce ended up tasting excessively salty as I ate the dish. The portions are sized as portions should be, unlike Leng, whose dishes can be made into two meals. A steady stream of patrons came and ate at Thai Pavilion, and many others came in for takeout. 

Beef Pad Khow-Pow On

Chicken Pad Ka Na

I believe Thai Pavilion deserves its location on 30^th Avenue. Amongst many trendy, new, and ever evolving restaurants, Thai Pavilion has stayed rooted in its slot, offering inexpensive, tasty Thai cuisine. 

It's good to have somebody around here who can pee standing up

Sanford's Restaurant

Sanford’s opened in 1922 as a 24-hour, 7-days a week coffee shop on Broadway, right under the Broadway train stop. However, from the looks of it, one would never guess it has been opened for 90 years, save for the old photographs that line the foor to ceiling windows in the front of the restaurant. The worn and faded photographs of old Sanford’s show a small, quaint, traditional diner and coffee shop. When the Karalekas brothers took over Sanford’s Restaurant, they transformed this space into the trendy, modern restaurant it is now. Looking into Sanford’s Restaurant today, you would not guess the rich history this space has.

Sanford’s has historically been a diner, and today offers remnants of this history combined with its more upscale present. It is still open 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, and offers a large and varied menu of American cuisine. Sanford’s is well-known in Astoria for their brunch special, and each Saturday and Sunday, expect to see a line of people standing outside waiting for a table.

The décor at Sanford’s is trendy and modern. Dim lights and candles on the tables provide a seductive glow, with sleek wood paneling and mirror lining the perimeter. There are a few center tables in the front, however the majority of the seating comes from dark leather booths lining the walls. There is a bar area which serves a surprisingly large assortment of wines, and provides additional seating.

booth seating 

bar area

interior

Upon being seated by the hostess, the waiter brought over a generously filled bread basket, containing various rolls and seeded crackers. The bread was fresh, and I especially enjoyed the white bread and raisin roll. The menu at Sanford’s Restaurant goes a few steps above and beyond your traditional diner fare. Aside from sandwiches, salads, and burgers, one can order an assortment of pastas, entrees, quesadillas, and appetizers. Additionally, any main dish you order comes with a cup of soup or organic greens. The soups offered the day I went were Lobster Bisque and Chicken Orzo. My friends are I ordered the Calamari Arrabiata as an appetizer, and the Sanfords Panini, Crab Cake Sandwich, and the Organic Whole Wheat Linguine, as well as the Chicken Orzo soup and two salads as the accompaniments.

bread assortment

The Chicken Orzo is made from scratch, and was fulfilling and rich. The Organic Greens come topped with marinated cherry tomatoes and red onion, with their homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing. In terms of included side salads, this I one of the best I’ve had. The Organic Greens are a refreshing substitute for the usual romaine, and the marinated tomatoes add a deep flavor.  Their dressing is on the thick side, and can be a bit sweet, but it tastes great with the greens and vegetables.

Organic Greens salad

The Calamari Arrabiata consisted of fried calamari topped with a cherry pepper and plum tomato sauce that the menu describes as sweet and spicy. The calamari rings were fresh and thick, with the sauce tasting more sweet than spicy. The calamari wasn’t very crispy, but that wasn’t a bad thing, as this let the favor of the calamari shine, rather than the thickly breaded, deep fried coating.

Calamari Arrabiata

My Sanfords Panini was filled with grilled chicken, apple wood bacon, sliced apples, brie, and their signature honey mustard on ciabatta bread. The sandwich also came with blue tortilla strips served upright in a tin cup, and what looked like a chipotle mayo sauce on the side. The panini was hearty, and the taste of the sweet apples, smokey bacon, strong brie, and honey mustard with the grilled chicken was a delicious combination. The blue tortilla chips were not greasy and a good side for the sandwich.  I did not care for the chipotle mayo which looked like it had been sitting out for a bit.

Sanfords Panini

The Crab Cake sandwich came on a slightly grilled brioche bun, with lettuce, tomato, and pesto aioli. The menu says that they use only lump crabmeat, resulting in a tasty and delicious crab cake patty. This sandwich came with a side of sweet potato fries, also presented vertically in a tin cup. The sweet potato fries came hot and super crispy, a definite plus in my book considering how hard it is to get sweet potatoes that crispy. They were amazing.

Crab Cake Sandwich

The Organic Whole Wheat Linguine featured a ragu of organic chicken - sun dried cranberry -apple sausage with organic whole wheat linguine. The serving was plentiful, and the noodles came out tossed in the ragu and fresh peas. I found the ragu to be too much sweet side, due to the cranberry and apple flavorings, but had it not been so sweet, this would be a solid dish.

Organic Whole Wheat Linguine

While the food at Sanford’s doesn’t blow me away, the range of dishes you can get at any time of the day or night is impressive. Prices on the menu range from $9 -$14 for burgers and sandwiches, to $15 - $17 for pastas and entrees. Taking into account the soup or salad that comes with each meal, and the bread basket, you get a lot of food for the price you’re paying. While the modern/trendy vibe at Sanford’s appeals to a certain crowd in Astoria, a part of me thinks if the owners kept the old-school diner similar to the way it was in 1922, that would also appeal to some clientele. As more and more restaurants come and go in Astoria, it’d be nice to see once that withstands the test of time and be able to enjoy it the way visitors did 90 years ago.

Butcher Bar

Butcher Bar opened this past December to a flurry of hype, with critics, bloggers, and food enthusiasts raving about the part butcher shop, part barbecue restaurant that only carries locally sourced meats and vegetables. All their meats are antibiotic and hormone free, pasture raised, and grass fed, and come from a variety of nearby local farms, which are noted on a weekly basis on the blackboard inside the place (“This week’s farms are…”). Demand was so high opening week at Butcher Bar, that lunch service had to be temporarily suspended to keep up with the catering and dinner orders that poured in. Long before Butcher Bar opened, there were little clues gradually uncovering what this reconstructed space would be: first came the emblem of a cow’s head with the words “Got Grass?” underneath stamped on the wooden boards of a construction site across the street (adjacent to Pita Pan – they are still there!). Then came the vertical sign reading “Smoke” above the still under construction space, which led my friend and I to make guesses on what these place could be. My friend guessed a cigar shop. I guessed a barbecue spot. Then came the meat cleaver iron door handle on the outside door, leading me to believe, and get very excited for some sort of new, cooler take on your classic butcher shop. It wasn’t until I found out it was part organic, locally sourced butcher shop plus barbecue joint did all the clues come together – this is a genius idea. What better place to enjoy barbecue meats then in an actual butcher shop located within the restaurant, with real life butchers and meat connoisseurs on hand? Not only that, but Butcher Bar prides itself on not owning a freezer, ensuring nothing is ever frozen, not even their ice cream that comes with the apple pie. While we Astoria folks are very fortunate enough to still have a solid handful of good butcher shops in our neighborhood, we are not so lucky in the barbecue cuisine area, save for John Brown Smokehouse located 1.5 miles away from Butcher Bar.

A sign above the butcher area ties together Butcher Bar’s philosophy well: We cook what we sell, sell what we cook.  The interior of Butcher Bar consists of a seating area in the front, with a butcher’s counter behind the seating displaying various cuts of meats, burgers, and sausages. Further inside the restaurant there are shelves alongside the wall displaying various butcher guidebooks, cookbooks, and general items for purchase, including Butcher Bar’s popular dry-rub, various organic spices, apple butter, and their organic noodles that go into the Mac & Cheese. Deeper within is a door leading to a backyard area, which should be open in the summer for outdoor barbecues. The whole store is lined in wood, and has a rustic vibe. Alternative music plays in the background, a refreshing change from the usual club music blasting from the majority of shops on 30^th Avenue. While we were waiting to be seated, a waitress brought us each a warm Corncake from their menu, which featured a hint of Honey Butter. The Corncakes were delicious and the perfect mini-muffin size. Butcher Bar fills up fast, and the dining area is small, however, with their speedy service, turnaround is quick, and well worth the wait.

interior

interior

butcher counter

interior w. the Got Grass stamp

interior

dining area

My friend and I ordered the Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich and Beef Brisket Sandwich, each coming with house slaw and a pickle. We also ordered the Sauteed String Beans and Creamy Mac & Cheese as our sides. Butcher Bar also serves natural Maine Root sodas made with organic evaporated cane juice, replacing the corn syrup found in most sodas, and their Butcher Bar Iced Tea, sweet or sugar-free. I ordered the Maine Root Mexicane Diet Cola, which was very sweet due to the Stevia used in the beverage. My dining companion ordered the Butcher Bar Sugar-Free Iced Tea, which did not taste particularly special. There is a television facing the dining area which shows a loop of a cow sketch outlining the cuts of meat, as well as various photos of hanging meat and raw cuts of meat. I don’t think that is the most desirable thing to be watching on a screen while you’re eating, so that was a bit off-putting.

dining area

Our food came out literally four minutes after ordering. The Smoked Pulled Pork sandwich is described as tender, juicy, and dressed in BBQ sauce. I was apprehensive about ordering this, as more often than not, when restaurants serve pulled pork sandwiches, they come smothered in BBQ sauce, which greatly overpowers the flavor of the meat. A chalkboard in Butcher Bar explained that the meats are smoked using dry rubs first, with sauces added later in the process. I asked our waitress, which confirmed the pulled pork had BBQ sauce on it. However, I was happily surprised to find the meat came out with just the right amount of BBQ sauce drizzled on top, not soaking in it. The Pulled Pork is exactly as described, each bite tender and juicy. Each table features two sauces – Original, which is their BBQ sauce, and Sweet & Sour, which has a more subtle BBQ taste, enhanced with sweet spices with a bit of a kick. I was able to dress my sandwich as I pleased using these sauces. My sauce of choice: the Sweet & Sour. The house slaw was phenomenal, with crisp, fresh shredded vegetables in a light, tangy mayonnaise. The Creamy Mac & Cheese was tasty, with big macaroni noodles covered in a rich cheese sauce.

Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich w. Creamy Mac & Cheese

The Beef Brisket Sandwich features 12-hour slow smoked brisket, which is so tender, it melts in your mouth. Brisket can normally be a tough meat to eat, but this one is anything but tough, and easy to bite into. The Sauteed String Beans are cooked with bacon and onions, and have a nice, smoky flavor to them.  The portions at Butcher Bar are on the small side, which I enjoyed, and helps you not feel overstuffed once your indulgent meal is done.

Beef Brisket Sandwich w. Sauteed String Beans

Aside from the barbecue offered, one can also purchase a range of pork, beef, chicken, lamb and turkey cuts available by the pound. Butcher Bar is a happy and much needed barbecue addition to 30^th Avenue. I enjoyed my barbecue there, and look forward to trying some of their other fresh offerings. Not only is the food delicious, but it is all locally sourced and hormone and antibiotic free, which is something you can feel great about. 

Leng

Hidden behind the scaffolding that seems to permanently occupy Broadway and 34th Street sits Leng. From the outside, Leng looks like any typical restaurant, with a front waiting section, bar, and seating area. However once inside, you discover this is not the case. The waiting area consists of a bench and a side table piled with the latest magazines, and a full bar lined with stools. As you walk further into the restaurant, tables line one of the walls, facing a semi open kitchen. My friend and I were ready to sit down on one of these tables until we realized there was a back room full of more tables. Walking deeper inside, we came to this beautifully decorated back room, which had an entire glass wall facing a large courtyard and impressively tall bamboo garden, which is open and alive during the warmer months.

Courtyard + bamboo garden

The story of Leng started when the owner’s father, named Leng, opened his own restaurant in Bangkok in 1942. Years and miles have bought the recipes from Thailand to the heart of Astoria, as the Siricharoen family operates this Thai and Asian restaurant.

Leng’s décor has a trendy, modern look with a folksy, Asian twist. Dark wood panels of various widths diffuse purple, blue, and red lights that filter through the rooms, while diverse tiffin carriers and Asian beer and sake bottles sit on shelves in the back room.  Paintings of flowers line the kitchen area, while ornamented wood panels decorate the rustic washed walls of the back room, next to a picture depicting Thai monks. The lighting is dim, and aided by candlelight, each table displaying a different color and style candle holder.

Seating alongside the open kitchen

Interior of Leng

Interior back room

For our visit, my friend and I started with the Chicken Thai Satay, and moved on to the Gai Pad Med Mamuang and Bul Go Gui, with the Fried Banana for dessert. Shortly after ordering, a complimentary dish of sweet fried noodles arrived on our table in a bamboo steamer. The dish was tasty, sweet, and sticky with a subtle spicy kick. It reminded my friend of kettle corn, and reminded me of a Rice Krispies treat; regardless of the comparisons, it was a fun and light way to start our meals.

Sweet fried noodles

 The Chicken Satay was served with peanut sauce and pickled vegetables, both of which were excellent paired with the marinated and grilled chicken. The peanut sauce was so full of deep flavor, and the vegetables were crunchy and tangy.

Chicken Satay + sweet fried noodles + Thai ice tea

Service is speedy at Leng – we were still finishing up our Satay when our entrees came out. The menu said the Gai Pad Med consists of chicken sautéed with cashews, onions, scallions, and dried chili, however upon receiving my dish, I found it overflowing with many more vegetables, including mushrooms, green peppers, and celery. The portions are quite generous, and each entrée comes with a side of Jasmine rice. The Gai Pad Med was full of favor, the meat was tender, and the vegetables all very fresh and abundant.

Gai Pad Med

The Bul Go Gui is Korean-style beef with sesame, soy, ginger, carrots, scallions, and kimchi. The flavors of the sesame, soy, and ginger all gave the beef a rich taste, with the spicy kimchi adding texture. In addition to the Thai dishes, Leng pulls in influences in its menu from Korea and other Southeast countries like Vietnam and Indonesia.  

Bul Go Gui

Many items on Leng’s dessert menu appealed to me, such as the Coconut Cakes, Sweet Sticky Rice with Mango, and Taro Custard. I don’t like chocolate, so it is nice to go to a restaurant and discover a dessert menu that is not chocolate heavy but instead features some of my favorite tropical fruits, like mango, coconut, and banana. We ended up going with the Fried Banana with Ice Cream, choosing Green Tea as our ice cream of choice.  The Fried Banana came out perfectly fried and warm, with a crisp, sweet coating drizzled in honey. The Green Tea ice cream was overwhelmingly concentrated, and would have tasted better if the flavor was a bit more subtle. All in all, it was a great dessert.

Fried Banana with Green Tea ice cream

Leng offers fresh, delicious, and largely portioned Thai food in a beautifully decorated space that is sure to impress anyone. I am curious to see how the courtyard is when used; looking at the towering bamboo from the back room was impressive enough. Prices for main dishes range from $10 - $14. Although Leng is somewhat hidden on Broadway, it does get crowded, and at times, the small backroom can seem a little too crowded. However, service is fast, for the most part, and turnaround is high. It is a great local restaurant that Father Leng would surely be proud of.

Guacamole

Nestled on Broadway in close proximity to two other Mexican restaurants sits Guacamole, which seems to be a hybrid of the authentic and unassuming Tacos Mexicos and the larger Las Margaritas a few doors down.  Astoria has been experimenting with Mexican cuisine lately, with places such as MexiQ coalescing barbeque with Mexican food, and Pachanga Patterson offering unique and trendy Mexican fusion. Guacamole offers no such pizzazz, but delivers fresh, authentic Mexican food in a relaxed environment.

Guacamole’s interior isn’t anything particularly special. The main dining area consists of a large room, with additionally seating lining the bar located in the back. The back area is spacious as well, housing a delivery bike and bathrooms. The place is small enough where you can see everyone in the dining room, yet large enough that you do not feel crowded. Generic paintings of food, flowers, and a Mexican woman line the citrus colored walls, while the Mexican waitress greets you in broken English and lets you pick a spot to sit in. It’s a comfortable place, that is great for groups of any size.

interior of Guacamole

interior

bar area

back area

 I recently went there with a group of fellow Astorians. Having just completed my taekwondo belt test, we were particularly hungry and looking forward to filling up with some hearty Mexican fare. Amongst ourselves, we ordered the Burrito de Espinaca, Burrito de Pollo, Mexican Taco Salad, Enchiladas Suizas, and Beef Tostadas. And Hot Mexican Chocolate. And some Pacificos.  We also started the night with complimentary chips and salsa. While their taste was nothing special, it was appreciated.

The Burrito de Espinaca consists of spinach sautéed with onions, jalapeno peppers and garlic, and comes with your option of black or pinto beans, rice, and cheese all wrapped up in a tortilla served with sour cream and guacamole on the side. The spinach and ingredients were fresh, and the burrito was generously filled with the spinach.  I had never seen a spinach burrito offered in Mexican establishments before, and found this particularly great for vegetarians or those not wishing to eat meat yet still pack some protein.

My Burrito de Pollo comes filled with grilled chicken, black or pinto beans, rice, and cheese and also served with guacamole and sour cream, and a sad four pieces of shredded lettuce.  I thought they could have been more generous with the chicken, but not being a particularly carnivorous eater, this was fine for me. The ingredients worked together smoothly, and the melted cheese over the rice, beans, and chicken tasted wonderful. The sour cream and guacamole on the sides were delicious as well. The guacamole is made fresh and chunky with pieces of avocado and tomatoes. I thought it could have been more flavorful with the traditional red onion, cilantro, and spices but in most restaurants, you also pay extra for the guacamole, whereas this came included. I also wished the dish came with pico de gallo, which also comes at an additional cost.

Burrito de Espinaca +  Burrito de Pollo + Jamaica Aqua Fresca

The Mexican Taco Salad came in a hard tortilla shell filled with mixed greens, guacamole, cheese, pico de gallo, and grilled chicken (my friend substituted her chicken for black beans) with a honey mustard dressing. The dish was quite large and satisfying, and the toppings all contributed to a more kicked up salad.

Mexican Salad

The Enchiladas Suizas consist of three soft corn tortillas filled with chicken and topped with a cream tomatillo sauce, melted cheese, onions, and sour cream. The dish also came with a side of rice and beans. This was a winning dish, as the cream tomatillo sauce mixed with the sour cream, onions, and cheese fused together so well. The sauce was incredibly rich and robust, and the enchiladas practically melted in your mouth.  The rice and beans side dish was also very tasty.

Enchiladas Suizas

The Beef Tostadas came on a fried corn tortilla shell, topped with black beans, lettuce, sour cream, and queso fresco. Presentation alone looked delicious, and the taste was light, fresh, and good.

Beef Tostadas

Guacamole offers a few bottled beers such as Corona and Dos Equis, yet our waitress recommended the authentic Mexican beer Pacifico to us. I hadn’t tried Pacifico before, but enjoyed the light, almost wheat beer taste. Two people in our group also ordered the Hot Mexican Chocolate which tasted incredible. I don’t even like chocolate but I genuinely enjoyed the richness and deep flavors of the hot chocolate. This chocolate wasn’t some store brought Hershey’s bar. There was definitely a hint of chili and some other spices that gave this such a satisfying taste.

On a previous visit, I had gotten their Mango Guacamole and Jamaica Aqua Fresca, which came in a dark berry hue. I was never able to pinpoint exactly what fruit was in this aqua fresca, and upon asking the waitress before ordering was met with a "it's good" and a point at the Horchata below it, but if I had to take a guess, I thought it had a guava base. The aftertaste was a bit bitter but I enjoyed the what-I-thought-was guava taste, and it is a drink I’d order again. The Mango Guacamole came loaded with chunks of mango. The mango wasn’t particularly ripened yet, which I blame on the off-season, but the sweetness of the fruit mixed with the creaminess of the avocado made it an enjoyable combination.

Mango Guacamole + Pacifico

 Guacamole offers solid, authentic Mexican food in a casual, comfortable, unpretentious setting. I’ve enjoyed my meals there and find it a good hybrid of authentic Mexican food mixed with a restaurant setting that is great for a sit down dinner or group outings.