Friday, May 2, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Acenar
Acenar - San Antonio, Texas - April 26, 2008
The GOOD: This is another Lisa Wong (of Rosario's fame) creation. The atmosphere is that of a hip, contemporary upscale bar located on the far end of the Riverwalk. The decor in this multi-level eatery is bright and upbeat with a very large outdoor patio. Although the patio offers a somewhat obstructed view of the Riverwalk, it is semi-private in the sense the tourists walking are not gawking while you eat. I ordered the Carnitas and Dianna ordered the Entomatadas (Fried Stuffed Tortillas).
The Carnitas were average and very, very lightly seasoned. I wish they had more seasoning. I made Carnita tacos using the tortillas at the table. To add some flavor I added sour cream, guac and salsa to the taco I made. The salsa is almost like Rosario's. The Rosario's salsa is my current favorite. After the additions to my self prepared taco I have to admit it was quite good. The amount of Carnitas on my sizzling skillet made two overstuffed tacos. The rice served was your typical Tex-mex rice. The charro beans were served as a plain bean broth cooked with non-smoky bacon. After eating 4 bowls of salsa and 2 large carnita tacos I decided to pass on the sides.
Dianna's meal was very interesting. The menu description of the Entomatadas sounded very similar to flautas. For the most part they were flautas. What made them unique was that they were served with a roasted tomato sauce poured over the flautas. This sauce did not have any hint of chili powder or jalapeno. If I had to guess, this sauce was made from a roasted tomato puree that was lightly salted and seasoned with a little bit of garlic. The Entomatadas were supposed to be stuffed with chicken and sweet potato. The sweet potato seemed to be missing from the filling but, there were finely shredded tortilla like strips on top of the flautas that might have been sweet potato. Nevertheless, Dianna enjoyed the Entomatadas.
I would revisit Acenar but, I think we would definitely try 2 new selections and, a few of the drinks off of the "Latin" menu.
The BAD: Another Tex-Mex eatery without draft beer. There is a large selection of bottled beer and a very appealing "Latin" drink menu, including the Tuna, a prickly pear margarita.
The UGLY: Acenar does not offer corn tortillas. Instead they offer very good homemade flour tortillas and, very doughy gorditas that weren't much larger than a silver dollar. I prefer to eat carnitas on corn vs. flour taco. I did try the gordita but, decided to forgo the corn medallions for some more hot, homemade flour tortillas.
Final Thoughts: We will return to eat here again but, probably not on our next trip to San Antonio.
The RATING:
3 out of 5 Salsa Bowls
The GOOD: This is another Lisa Wong (of Rosario's fame) creation. The atmosphere is that of a hip, contemporary upscale bar located on the far end of the Riverwalk. The decor in this multi-level eatery is bright and upbeat with a very large outdoor patio. Although the patio offers a somewhat obstructed view of the Riverwalk, it is semi-private in the sense the tourists walking are not gawking while you eat. I ordered the Carnitas and Dianna ordered the Entomatadas (Fried Stuffed Tortillas).
The Carnitas were average and very, very lightly seasoned. I wish they had more seasoning. I made Carnita tacos using the tortillas at the table. To add some flavor I added sour cream, guac and salsa to the taco I made. The salsa is almost like Rosario's. The Rosario's salsa is my current favorite. After the additions to my self prepared taco I have to admit it was quite good. The amount of Carnitas on my sizzling skillet made two overstuffed tacos. The rice served was your typical Tex-mex rice. The charro beans were served as a plain bean broth cooked with non-smoky bacon. After eating 4 bowls of salsa and 2 large carnita tacos I decided to pass on the sides.
Dianna's meal was very interesting. The menu description of the Entomatadas sounded very similar to flautas. For the most part they were flautas. What made them unique was that they were served with a roasted tomato sauce poured over the flautas. This sauce did not have any hint of chili powder or jalapeno. If I had to guess, this sauce was made from a roasted tomato puree that was lightly salted and seasoned with a little bit of garlic. The Entomatadas were supposed to be stuffed with chicken and sweet potato. The sweet potato seemed to be missing from the filling but, there were finely shredded tortilla like strips on top of the flautas that might have been sweet potato. Nevertheless, Dianna enjoyed the Entomatadas.
I would revisit Acenar but, I think we would definitely try 2 new selections and, a few of the drinks off of the "Latin" menu.
The BAD: Another Tex-Mex eatery without draft beer. There is a large selection of bottled beer and a very appealing "Latin" drink menu, including the Tuna, a prickly pear margarita.
The UGLY: Acenar does not offer corn tortillas. Instead they offer very good homemade flour tortillas and, very doughy gorditas that weren't much larger than a silver dollar. I prefer to eat carnitas on corn vs. flour taco. I did try the gordita but, decided to forgo the corn medallions for some more hot, homemade flour tortillas.
Final Thoughts: We will return to eat here again but, probably not on our next trip to San Antonio.
The RATING:
3 out of 5 Salsa Bowls
Mia's Tex- Mex
Mia's Tex-Mex - Dallas, Texas - February 19, 2008
The GOOD: First, my wife and I ordered a cup of tortilla soup as an appetizer. The base of the tortilla soup is a very much, homemade chicken broth. This broth is what makes this the best tortilla soup that I have sampled at any restaurant. The broth actually reminds of my chicken soup broth my mom used to make growing up as a cold remedy. Then, I ordered my usual brisket taco dinner plate with flour tortillas instead of the more traditional corn (my wife orders the same exact plate). I order the flour because the cooks will actually grill the outside of the tacos to slightly crisp them up similar to a quesadilla. The taco filling is very juicy, shredded brisket meat that cozies up to proportionate amount of monterrey jack cheese. The tacos are topped with grilled onions and poblano peppers that have been cut into thin strips. The plate includes a side of lettuce, tomatoes, grated cheddar cheese and avocado slices for topping your taco. The fresh avocado slices are the perfect match for the brisket. Mia's also serves up an incredible Tex-Mex Au Jus just for your brisket tacos. This gravy can either be poured into each taco or, dipped into as you go. Although, I consider myself a salsa connoisseur and aficionado, I do not put any of the house salsa on the brisket taco, it just doesn't need it.
The BAD: Mia's does not have draft beer...only bottles (they do have one of the best frozen (and very potent) margaritas I have ever had, though.)
The UGLY: Mia's is located in Dallas, TX - not good since I live in the Fort Worth area and typically do not frequent Dallas. I must admit I have taken the family to Dallas for the sole purpose of eating at Mia's; that fact alone says a lot about this dining establishment and their brisket tacos.
The Rating:
5 out 5 Salsa Bowls
The GOOD: First, my wife and I ordered a cup of tortilla soup as an appetizer. The base of the tortilla soup is a very much, homemade chicken broth. This broth is what makes this the best tortilla soup that I have sampled at any restaurant. The broth actually reminds of my chicken soup broth my mom used to make growing up as a cold remedy. Then, I ordered my usual brisket taco dinner plate with flour tortillas instead of the more traditional corn (my wife orders the same exact plate). I order the flour because the cooks will actually grill the outside of the tacos to slightly crisp them up similar to a quesadilla. The taco filling is very juicy, shredded brisket meat that cozies up to proportionate amount of monterrey jack cheese. The tacos are topped with grilled onions and poblano peppers that have been cut into thin strips. The plate includes a side of lettuce, tomatoes, grated cheddar cheese and avocado slices for topping your taco. The fresh avocado slices are the perfect match for the brisket. Mia's also serves up an incredible Tex-Mex Au Jus just for your brisket tacos. This gravy can either be poured into each taco or, dipped into as you go. Although, I consider myself a salsa connoisseur and aficionado, I do not put any of the house salsa on the brisket taco, it just doesn't need it.
The BAD: Mia's does not have draft beer...only bottles (they do have one of the best frozen (and very potent) margaritas I have ever had, though.)
The UGLY: Mia's is located in Dallas, TX - not good since I live in the Fort Worth area and typically do not frequent Dallas. I must admit I have taken the family to Dallas for the sole purpose of eating at Mia's; that fact alone says a lot about this dining establishment and their brisket tacos.
The Rating:
5 out 5 Salsa Bowls
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