Tokyo Cuisine is a new restaurant that opened up not too long ago on Riverdale Street near the Clarion Hotel. It is a Chinese and Japanese restaurant that also features Hibachi so I definitely was excited to check it out as I love Hibachi.
We went in on a weeknight so it was not busy at all. We were seated right away at the Hibachi table with a few other couples. There were three other Hibachi tables one of which was full of people and the chef was finishing up their entrees. Now I don't know how many Hibachi Chef's they have on staff, especially on a weeknight, but from what I could tell he was it, so unfortunately we had quite a wait ahead of us to get our food. The couple next to us said that they got there about 20 minutes before we did and then we waited a good half an hour after we arrived so total wait time to get a Hibachi Chef over was approximately 45 minutes (maybe longer) Ouch!
Fortunately, there were servers going around offering drinks and we had the opportunity to order some appetizers from the sushi bar. Thank goodness we did or we might have eaten our menus!
For appetizers, we ordered a california roll and a "sexy girl roll" which was a house specialty roll. Both rolls were brought out very quickly and they tasted great! Very fresh. They were both large in size and enough to share which was great especially since they were a little pricey compared to some of the other places in the area.
Once the Hibachi Chef made it over to our table things really got going. I imagine that this would be even more fun if you had a large group of people to go with. Luckily for us the couple next to us was really funny so we had a good time chatting with them.
The chef was really great, pouring sake into our mouths, flipping food at us and having us catch it in our mouths, and doing really fascinating tricks with his knife and with the food. Onion volcano anyone?? It was also great watching him cook because you knew exactly what he was putting into everything. Andy and I both ordered the steak from the Hibachi menu and it was cooked to perfection with a ton of garlic - just the way I like it! The entrees also came with miso soup, a salad with ginger dressing, two pieces of shrimp from the hibachi grill, and fried rice and noodles made on the hibachi. All of the food was fantastic. The noodles were my favorite cooked with teriyaki sauce and sesame oil. The people next to us had lobster tail and sea scallops which they said were both delicious. Yum!
As far as pricing goes entrees start at $17.99 and going up from there but I do have to say that you get alot of good food for the price so I would consider it a good value, especially since you are getting a little entertainment with your meal.
It should also be noted that they do have a seasonal liquor liscense so starting the end of March you will be able to get a beverage of an alcohlic nature but for now it is just soda and water.
I definitely want to give this place another try, the slow service at the Hibachi was a little annoying but the food definitely made up for it. I think I will try it out again with a larger group and I will go on a weekend when they might (hopefully) have more Hibachi Chef's available. I will give an update once I do go back and see if it has gotten any better. I am going to wait until the liquor liscense is in season because you know I gots to have me a scorpion bowl!
Tokyo Cuisine
1105 Riverdale Street
West Springfield, MA 01089
Friday, March 7, 2008
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Northampton Brewery - Northampton, MA
Looking for a great spot to grab a beer with friends or a fun place to hang out and have a bite to eat after shopping in Northampton? If so then you definitely want to give the Northampton Brewery a try.
I have been frequenting the Northampton Brewery since before I moved to the area. This is one of the first places that Andy took me when I came to visit Massachusetts and now that I live here it has become our "go to" spot when we want a casual an
d relaxing place to hang out.
As you might have guessed by the name Northampton Brewery brews their own beer right on site. There truly is something for everyone ranging from a light bodied golden ale to a rich creamy stout, and everything in between. My personal favorite is The Old Brown Dog. It is a nut brown ale that goes down so smooth, luckily for me this is one of there signature beers that is around all year long but they do also have seasonal selections that you have to get in line early for because they go fast!
The food at Northampton Brewery is delicious and with every dish you get a homemade feel. Alot of the dishes incorporate the beer as an ingredient which is a fun twist. I can speak for most of the menu items since I have been such a loyal customer for so long but in this post I will give you the highlights.
Appetizers - You have to try the Nachos. They are kept simple but piled high with jack cheese, crisp tortilla chips, jalapenos, and black olives. You can add chili or chicken to them but we love them just the way they are. They serve them up with sour cream and salsa. The salsa is nothing short of amazing. It is the freshest salsa I have ever tasted. They should consider selling it! Other apps to look out for are the Chili, which is thick and spicy, slow cooked for hours, with huge chunks of tender beef and a hint of beer and also the Ale Battered Catfish Bites - need I say more. I think Ale Battered Catfish Bites kinda speak for themselves.
Sandwiches - The Pulled Pork Sandwich is heaven on a bun. It is slow cooked with beer and a sweet and spicy sauce. They put a heaping scoop of it on a bun with coleslaw served with french fries. Ask for the malt vinegar and shake it on the sandwich and the fries for a truly unique experience. The Basil's Rathbone is also great especially for the vegetarians out there. The fresh basil, red onion, and garlic mayo create an amazing combination of flavors .
Entrees - Hands down you have to try the Free Range Brewhouse Chicken, they serve this tender chicken in a sauce made with my favorite beer, Old Brown Dog, along with mushrooms and onions. Served with garlic mash and and fresh veggies on the side. A steal at only $13.95.
Honestly you could go on and on about the creative and delicious fare at Northampton Brewery but not only do they gave great food and beer but the atmosphere is comfortable and casual making it so easy to kick back and relax.
Over the last few years they have done some major renovations including a gorgeous sun room on the back complete with fireplace. They also have an outdoor beer garden on the roof that is perfect for enjoying a New England evening in the Spring and Summer.
If you haven't noticed I really love this place. I hope you will stop by the Northampton Brewery and have a brew and some nachos for me!
Northampton Brewery
11 Brewster Court
Northampton MA 01060
Michael's Pasta in the Pan - Agawam, MA
As we all know there is no shortage of great italian food in Western Mass. It seems that every town has its signature italian place. Living in Agawam there are a couple great italian spots and one of those is Michael's Pasta in the Pan.
Michael's Pasta in the Pan is just that - delicious pastas served right in the pan that they are cooked in. The serving of the pasta right in the pan means that nothing gets "lost in translation" so to speak from pan to serving platter. You capture every bit of flavor without missing a drop of olive oil or a piece of garlic. Yum yum!
The atmosphere is scenic with a view of the Connecticut River out the front windows. Lots of seating for groups from two to twenty so whether you are out for a date or going out with a group you will easily be accomodated. The restaurant is softly lit with white twinkle lights and candles on the table giving it a cozy and romantic feel and the moment you walk in the door you begin smelling the sweet aromas of garlic. A nice size bar with a wide selection of beer, wine, and spirits. They even have live entertainment in the bar area which was a nice touch.
This was my first trip to Michael's. I had heard rave reviews from my boyfriend as he goes there often for lunch so we decided to make a date out of it. We started off our meal with a couple of appetizers. We had the Golden Fried Calamari which was crispy and spicy tossed with a sweet jalapeno and mango sauce. Definitely not your standard calamari. We also had the Artichokes Franchaise which were hearts of artichoke with white wine, butter and capers. Both appetizers were delicious and large enough to share with a group and both were reasonably priced at $8.99.
For my entree I orderd the Chicken Gorgonzola. Gorgonzola cheese, as you will find out as my posts continue, is my weaknesss. I had never tried it before moving here and once I did give it a try I was absolutely hooked and found myself ordering anything and everything GORGONZOLA! My partner in crime (aka "the boyfriend") ordered the Chicken Mississippi. All entrees come with a starter salad and of course bread and butter. The bread was perfect. Warm, firm on the outside, and soft and fluffy on the inside. Dangerous. The salad was pretty standard but the parmesan peppercorn dressing definitely perked it up.
My entree was quite good, however I was a little dissapointed with the amount of gorgonzola cheese as I was expecting it to be very cheesy and it was more so sprinkled with gorgonzola. Other than that the entree was great with red peppers, garlic, and tender pieces of marinated chicken. The Chicken Mississippi which was described on the menu as "spinach and roasted red peppers in a jalapeno cream sauce was right on target. Entrees are a little on the pricier side with most entrees priced at $15.95 and up but the portions are large and we both took home to go boxes.
On a side note the one thing that you will most certainly find at Michael's Pasta in the Pan is that they LOVE the garlic. I guarantee after a trip to Michael's there will be no secret as to where you have been. As a matter of fact, I can always tell when Andy (aka "the boyfriend" and "partner in crime" ) has been there for lunch because I can smell him from a mile away. Just thought that it should be noted to prevent any embarrassing post dinner breath moments.
Make sure that you save room for dessert, they have a large display case of different desserts that change from night to night so you are sure to find a special treat. I debated between the Chocolate Mousse Cake and the Snickers Bar Cheesecake and finally decided on the cheeesecake (these are the really tough decisions in life) which was decadent with chocolate, caramel and rich cheesecake.
The service was friendly and our server was very attentive to us despite the fact that the whole restaurant was full. Reservations are not required but they do accept them so it never hurts to call.
I will definitely be headed back to Michael's Pasta in the Pan and I hope that you will check it out too!
Michael's Pasta in the Pan
395 River Road
Agawam, MA 01001
http://www.michaelspastainthepan.com/
Michael's Pasta in the Pan is just that - delicious pastas served right in the pan that they are cooked in. The serving of the pasta right in the pan means that nothing gets "lost in translation" so to speak from pan to serving platter. You capture every bit of flavor without missing a drop of olive oil or a piece of garlic. Yum yum!
The atmosphere is scenic with a view of the Connecticut River out the front windows. Lots of seating for groups from two to twenty so whether you are out for a date or going out with a group you will easily be accomodated. The restaurant is softly lit with white twinkle lights and candles on the table giving it a cozy and romantic feel and the moment you walk in the door you begin smelling the sweet aromas of garlic. A nice size bar with a wide selection of beer, wine, and spirits. They even have live entertainment in the bar area which was a nice touch.
This was my first trip to Michael's. I had heard rave reviews from my boyfriend as he goes there often for lunch so we decided to make a date out of it. We started off our meal with a couple of appetizers. We had the Golden Fried Calamari which was crispy and spicy tossed with a sweet jalapeno and mango sauce. Definitely not your standard calamari. We also had the Artichokes Franchaise which were hearts of artichoke with white wine, butter and capers. Both appetizers were delicious and large enough to share with a group and both were reasonably priced at $8.99.
For my entree I orderd the Chicken Gorgonzola. Gorgonzola cheese, as you will find out as my posts continue, is my weaknesss. I had never tried it before moving here and once I did give it a try I was absolutely hooked and found myself ordering anything and everything GORGONZOLA! My partner in crime (aka "the boyfriend") ordered the Chicken Mississippi. All entrees come with a starter salad and of course bread and butter. The bread was perfect. Warm, firm on the outside, and soft and fluffy on the inside. Dangerous. The salad was pretty standard but the parmesan peppercorn dressing definitely perked it up.
My entree was quite good, however I was a little dissapointed with the amount of gorgonzola cheese as I was expecting it to be very cheesy and it was more so sprinkled with gorgonzola. Other than that the entree was great with red peppers, garlic, and tender pieces of marinated chicken. The Chicken Mississippi which was described on the menu as "spinach and roasted red peppers in a jalapeno cream sauce was right on target. Entrees are a little on the pricier side with most entrees priced at $15.95 and up but the portions are large and we both took home to go boxes.
On a side note the one thing that you will most certainly find at Michael's Pasta in the Pan is that they LOVE the garlic. I guarantee after a trip to Michael's there will be no secret as to where you have been. As a matter of fact, I can always tell when Andy (aka "the boyfriend" and "partner in crime" ) has been there for lunch because I can smell him from a mile away. Just thought that it should be noted to prevent any embarrassing post dinner breath moments.
Make sure that you save room for dessert, they have a large display case of different desserts that change from night to night so you are sure to find a special treat. I debated between the Chocolate Mousse Cake and the Snickers Bar Cheesecake and finally decided on the cheeesecake (these are the really tough decisions in life) which was decadent with chocolate, caramel and rich cheesecake.
The service was friendly and our server was very attentive to us despite the fact that the whole restaurant was full. Reservations are not required but they do accept them so it never hurts to call.
I will definitely be headed back to Michael's Pasta in the Pan and I hope that you will check it out too!
Michael's Pasta in the Pan
395 River Road
Agawam, MA 01001
http://www.michaelspastainthepan.com/
Pintu's Indian Palace - West Springfield, MA
There is nothing quite like good indian food. I was first turned on to indian food by my boyfriend a few years ago and while I was hesitant at first to try a new type of cuisine with the first bite I immediately fell in love with the warm spices and creamy sauces that Indian food is famous for.
Pintus Indian Cuisine is a small place located on Elm Street in West Springfield. It is really cozy inside and makes for a great place for a night out with a special someone. The restaurant is small with a limited number of tables so on a busy night you will most definitely have to wait for a table.
Pintu's has a large variety of appetizers, if you can't make up your mind on what you want to try go for the sampler platter which they have in both a vegetarian and non-vegetarian variety. The non -vegetarian platter is a huge platter of tandoori style chicken, lamb and vegetable samosas, tempura fried vegetables called Pakora, and also Aloo Tikki which is similar to a potato pancake. Try these offerings with different combinations from the chutney tray that is given to each table and you are sure to get things started off right.
When it comes to entrees Pintu's again has many selections in both the vegetarian and non- vegetarian categories. My favorite dish is a vegetarian dish called Malai Kofta which are basically fried cottage cheese and potato dumplings in a rich and creamy tomato gravy. The Malai Kofta at Pintu's is hands down the best I have ever had, not just in Western Mass but anywhere, it is full of Indian Spices (especially curry) cashews, and raisins which add a hint of sweet which cuts the saltiness of the gravy. Believe me when I tell you that I have dreams about this stuff....it is that good. Don't be afraid to let the server know the level of "spicy" you would like. Pintu's, along with most indian restaurants, will cater the spice to your liking so don't be turned off if you don't like spicy food.
Other entrees to try are the Lamb Curry, which is tidbits of lamb cooked in a curry and yogurt and the Nav Ratan Korma which is large pieces of cauliflower and other vegetables in a tomato based cream sauce, similar to the Malai Kofta, with nuts and raisins. Both are delicious as are many of the entrees on Pintu's extensive menu.
The traditional Indian breads at Pintu's are not to be missed the Garlic Nan and the Alu Nan are both personal favorites but you can't go wrong with any of the selections. These thick, pita like breads, are coated in butter and baked in the tandoor oven making them perfect to scoop up those curry sauces.
Another great thing about Pintu's is they have a wide selection of wines from around the world which are displayed throughout the restaurant. Pintu himself also has his own special brew called the Pintu's Porter that is brewed through Berkshire Brewing Company. It is a great accompaniment to the spicy dishes on the menu.
My one and only complaint about Pintu's is that the service is really hit or miss. Sometimes you go in and the service is incredible, with Pintu himself even stopping by to welcome you and chat at your table. At other times, especially weekend evenings, you can be easily forgotten, wait half an hour to an hour for your food, and sit with empty drinks.
If you don't mind taking a gamble on the service I highly recommend checking out Pintu's for some of the best indian food you will ever eat!
Pintus Indian Cuisine is a small place located on Elm Street in West Springfield. It is really cozy inside and makes for a great place for a night out with a special someone. The restaurant is small with a limited number of tables so on a busy night you will most definitely have to wait for a table.
Pintu's has a large variety of appetizers, if you can't make up your mind on what you want to try go for the sampler platter which they have in both a vegetarian and non-vegetarian variety. The non -vegetarian platter is a huge platter of tandoori style chicken, lamb and vegetable samosas, tempura fried vegetables called Pakora, and also Aloo Tikki which is similar to a potato pancake. Try these offerings with different combinations from the chutney tray that is given to each table and you are sure to get things started off right.
When it comes to entrees Pintu's again has many selections in both the vegetarian and non- vegetarian categories. My favorite dish is a vegetarian dish called Malai Kofta which are basically fried cottage cheese and potato dumplings in a rich and creamy tomato gravy. The Malai Kofta at Pintu's is hands down the best I have ever had, not just in Western Mass but anywhere, it is full of Indian Spices (especially curry) cashews, and raisins which add a hint of sweet which cuts the saltiness of the gravy. Believe me when I tell you that I have dreams about this stuff....it is that good. Don't be afraid to let the server know the level of "spicy" you would like. Pintu's, along with most indian restaurants, will cater the spice to your liking so don't be turned off if you don't like spicy food.
Other entrees to try are the Lamb Curry, which is tidbits of lamb cooked in a curry and yogurt and the Nav Ratan Korma which is large pieces of cauliflower and other vegetables in a tomato based cream sauce, similar to the Malai Kofta, with nuts and raisins. Both are delicious as are many of the entrees on Pintu's extensive menu.
The traditional Indian breads at Pintu's are not to be missed the Garlic Nan and the Alu Nan are both personal favorites but you can't go wrong with any of the selections. These thick, pita like breads, are coated in butter and baked in the tandoor oven making them perfect to scoop up those curry sauces.
Another great thing about Pintu's is they have a wide selection of wines from around the world which are displayed throughout the restaurant. Pintu himself also has his own special brew called the Pintu's Porter that is brewed through Berkshire Brewing Company. It is a great accompaniment to the spicy dishes on the menu.
My one and only complaint about Pintu's is that the service is really hit or miss. Sometimes you go in and the service is incredible, with Pintu himself even stopping by to welcome you and chat at your table. At other times, especially weekend evenings, you can be easily forgotten, wait half an hour to an hour for your food, and sit with empty drinks.
If you don't mind taking a gamble on the service I highly recommend checking out Pintu's for some of the best indian food you will ever eat!
Pintu's Indian 217 Elm Street West Springfield, MA 01089
Monday, March 3, 2008
Li's Brothers Inn Japanese and Chinese Restaurant - Longmeadow, MA
Li's Brothers Inn in Longmeadow is my favorite pick for chinese and sushi in the area. Whether you are feeling like a little General Tso's Chicken or a little Dim Sum you can be assured that Li's brothers will give you just what you need to satisfy those cravings.
The menu is huge and filled with all the classic Chinese and Japanese favorites along with creative (and fresh) selections from the Sushi Bar.
I usually start things off with an order of the pan fried dumplings which are the largest and most delicous dumplings that I have ever tried. They are at least double the size of dumplings that you would find at some of the other local chinese hot spots. The scallion pancakes are also the best around. Not only are they huge (just like the dumplings) they are crispy and full of flavor.
Moving on to entrees, the General Tso's Chicken is crisp and the sauce is perfectly sweet and spicy. The portion that you get in an order is more than enough to share and is delicious paired with their pork fried rice. A wise man once told me that you can always judge a chinese food place on the color of the rice, the darker the rice the better, sounds crazy but I have to say I am really starting to believe it. The rice at Li's is a dark, carmelized color bursting with flavor that is so good you could eat it on its own.
I love Sushi. Well, I should say that I love Sashimi and I love rolls. One of my favorite entrees is the Roll Combination dinner. The dinner, along with many of the other dinners at Li's, is served with Miso Soup and an Iceberg Lettuce Salad with a tangy and creamy ginger dressing. I wish I could find ginger dressing in the bottle at the grocery store as good as this one. It is fantastic. The Roll Combincation dinner consists of a Tuna Roll, a Salmon Roll and a California Roll. All of the seafood is extremely fresh and the California roll melts in your mouth with the creamy avocado. I almost always add on a Shrimp Tempura roll as these are my favorite and the offering at Li's is crunchy with just a hint of sweetness from the sweet teriyaki like sauce they add to it.
And of course we gotta talk drinks. The scorpion bowl is a great value for two at only $7.99 and let me just say that they don't skimp on the booze. (wink wink) The mai tai and cold sake are also personal favorites.
Service is friendly and you are sure to run into the owners who are also extremely friendly and welcoming. The servers are always quick to answer our questions about the different menu selections and it is quite fun to sit at the sushi bar and watch the chef's at work. The service can be slow on a busy Friday or Saturday night but the food is well worth the wait.
Appetizers range from $3.25 to $7.99, Entrees $5.95 to $16.95, with daily specials for both lunch and dinner.
Overall Li's Brothers in Longmeadow is a great place that is sure to have something to please everyone in your group,
Li's Brothers Inn
795 Maple Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
The menu is huge and filled with all the classic Chinese and Japanese favorites along with creative (and fresh) selections from the Sushi Bar.
I usually start things off with an order of the pan fried dumplings which are the largest and most delicous dumplings that I have ever tried. They are at least double the size of dumplings that you would find at some of the other local chinese hot spots. The scallion pancakes are also the best around. Not only are they huge (just like the dumplings) they are crispy and full of flavor.
Moving on to entrees, the General Tso's Chicken is crisp and the sauce is perfectly sweet and spicy. The portion that you get in an order is more than enough to share and is delicious paired with their pork fried rice. A wise man once told me that you can always judge a chinese food place on the color of the rice, the darker the rice the better, sounds crazy but I have to say I am really starting to believe it. The rice at Li's is a dark, carmelized color bursting with flavor that is so good you could eat it on its own.
I love Sushi. Well, I should say that I love Sashimi and I love rolls. One of my favorite entrees is the Roll Combination dinner. The dinner, along with many of the other dinners at Li's, is served with Miso Soup and an Iceberg Lettuce Salad with a tangy and creamy ginger dressing. I wish I could find ginger dressing in the bottle at the grocery store as good as this one. It is fantastic. The Roll Combincation dinner consists of a Tuna Roll, a Salmon Roll and a California Roll. All of the seafood is extremely fresh and the California roll melts in your mouth with the creamy avocado. I almost always add on a Shrimp Tempura roll as these are my favorite and the offering at Li's is crunchy with just a hint of sweetness from the sweet teriyaki like sauce they add to it.
And of course we gotta talk drinks. The scorpion bowl is a great value for two at only $7.99 and let me just say that they don't skimp on the booze. (wink wink) The mai tai and cold sake are also personal favorites.
Service is friendly and you are sure to run into the owners who are also extremely friendly and welcoming. The servers are always quick to answer our questions about the different menu selections and it is quite fun to sit at the sushi bar and watch the chef's at work. The service can be slow on a busy Friday or Saturday night but the food is well worth the wait.
Appetizers range from $3.25 to $7.99, Entrees $5.95 to $16.95, with daily specials for both lunch and dinner.
Overall Li's Brothers in Longmeadow is a great place that is sure to have something to please everyone in your group,
Li's Brothers Inn
795 Maple Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Acapulcos Mexican Restaurant - Enfield, CT
I know what you must be thinking..."Hey, I thought this blog was about Western Mass restaurants?" well it is but I have decided to include our friendly neighbors in Connecticut as they are so close by and they also have some great restaurants. With that being said I had to choose Acapulcos Mexican Restaurant for my first entry as it is certainly worth the trip across the border! (that was corny...I know)
Acapulcos Mexican Food is a family friendly mexican food joint with great food and even better margaritas. Growing up in Texas you could find great Mexican food on any corner but since moving to the area four years ago I have struggled to find a restaurant as good as the ones back home, that is until I found this little gem.
To start things off the atmosphere at Acapulcos is great. Clean restaurant, friendly service, and it is tastefully decorated with traditional mexican decor. When you walk in each table is greeted with chips and an offering of both a mild and an extra spicy salsa. The chips are warm, light and crispy, and just salty enough. The salsa is made fresh there daily and is perfectly chunky with fresh tomato and cilantro.
The menu is extensive and includes classic favorites such as burritos, tacos, and chimichangas as well as a selection of steak and seafood entrees. The portions are generous and the prices are reasonable.
I highly recommend the Sizziling Steak Fajitas. They pile (and a do mean pile) a sizzling platter with a huge mound of grilled steak, peppers, and onions acccompanied by sour cream, guacamole, rice, beans, and fresh tortillas. The rice reminds me so much of the mexican rice I used to get back in Texas, it is the perfect texture, not "saucy" like alot of the mexican rice that I have seen in New England. My other favorites include the Fish Tacos and the Huevos con Machaca.
The bar boasts and extensive list of fine tequilas and the Premium Margaritas are a steal at $8.00 each. They are served in a large glass and include your choice of top shelf tequila, cointreau, and fresh squeezed lime juice. They also offer an amazing selection of Mexican beers.
For dessert, the traditional Mexican Flan is light and creamy but not overly sweet while the fried ice cream is pure heaven dripping in chocolate sauce and whipped cream!
Appetizers range in price from $6.99 to $9.99, entrees from $8.99 to $16.50, and desserts hold steady at $3.99 each. They do offer both a childrens menu and a vegetarian selection as well.
Last, but certainly not least, every Sunday evening from 5:00pm-8:00pm they have a live Mariachi band. The band plays traditional Mexican songs and they also take requests from the guests (letting you play the marraccas) It is great fun!
One last thing, if you really want to be impressed order the buffalo wings. You won't be disappointed.
Give it a try and I am sure you will be delighted!
Acapulcos Mexican Restaurant
61 Palomba Dr., Enfield, CT 06082
http://www.acapulcos.net/
Acapulcos Mexican Food is a family friendly mexican food joint with great food and even better margaritas. Growing up in Texas you could find great Mexican food on any corner but since moving to the area four years ago I have struggled to find a restaurant as good as the ones back home, that is until I found this little gem.
To start things off the atmosphere at Acapulcos is great. Clean restaurant, friendly service, and it is tastefully decorated with traditional mexican decor. When you walk in each table is greeted with chips and an offering of both a mild and an extra spicy salsa. The chips are warm, light and crispy, and just salty enough. The salsa is made fresh there daily and is perfectly chunky with fresh tomato and cilantro.
The menu is extensive and includes classic favorites such as burritos, tacos, and chimichangas as well as a selection of steak and seafood entrees. The portions are generous and the prices are reasonable.
I highly recommend the Sizziling Steak Fajitas. They pile (and a do mean pile) a sizzling platter with a huge mound of grilled steak, peppers, and onions acccompanied by sour cream, guacamole, rice, beans, and fresh tortillas. The rice reminds me so much of the mexican rice I used to get back in Texas, it is the perfect texture, not "saucy" like alot of the mexican rice that I have seen in New England. My other favorites include the Fish Tacos and the Huevos con Machaca.
The bar boasts and extensive list of fine tequilas and the Premium Margaritas are a steal at $8.00 each. They are served in a large glass and include your choice of top shelf tequila, cointreau, and fresh squeezed lime juice. They also offer an amazing selection of Mexican beers.
For dessert, the traditional Mexican Flan is light and creamy but not overly sweet while the fried ice cream is pure heaven dripping in chocolate sauce and whipped cream!
Appetizers range in price from $6.99 to $9.99, entrees from $8.99 to $16.50, and desserts hold steady at $3.99 each. They do offer both a childrens menu and a vegetarian selection as well.
Last, but certainly not least, every Sunday evening from 5:00pm-8:00pm they have a live Mariachi band. The band plays traditional Mexican songs and they also take requests from the guests (letting you play the marraccas) It is great fun!
One last thing, if you really want to be impressed order the buffalo wings. You won't be disappointed.
Give it a try and I am sure you will be delighted!
Acapulcos Mexican Restaurant
61 Palomba Dr., Enfield, CT 06082
http://www.acapulcos.net/
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