Unless you knew it was there, you would never spot Casa Romero, tucked behind busy Newbury Street in Boston. Just off of Gloucester Street, there is only a small sign in the alley indicating that there is a great restaurant hidden below. If you are in the Boston area, I highly recommend that you seek out this hidden gem.
We had the pleasure of sitting in their outdoor patio. They do NOT take reservations for their coveted patio- it is on a first come, first served basis, so if you'd like to sit there, be sure to arrive early. The patio feels private and intimate, with the area lit softly by lamps around the perimeter of the patio, and there are only eight or nine tables.
You will not be disappointed with the interior of the restaurant, however. It is on the basement level and is dark and cozy and festive at the same time. The walls are exposed brick, and there are colorful tiles and wood block tables. Although it is busy, it is not overly noisy and it's quite easy to hold a conversation.
This is mexican food at its finest. Fresh and beautifully prepared, carefully thought-out, with all of the flavors melding together into the perfect meal. You will not find gratuitous globs of sour cream and guacamole here. The attention to detail is very impressive.
When you arrive, you will be greeted by a friendly and charming waiter who will take your drink order and bring you a basket of warm tortilla chips and homemade salsa. The waiters are very knowledgeable about the menu, and are more than happy to answer questions or help you decide what to order. For drinks, I recommend either the margaritas (considered by many to be the best in Boston) or the sangria. We ordered a carafe of sangria, which seemed to be the perfect amount for the two of us. They also have many, many kinds of tequila, as well as beer and wine.
We decided to split an order of shrimp flautas with guacamole and sour cream. They brought us two flautas, crisp and delicate, and the guacamole was the perfect complement. My boyfriend had the chicken fajitas with warmed tortillas, guacamole, salsa, and sour cream. The chicken and veggies, however, were unusually tender and flavorful. They also came with homemade, very flavorful refried beans and spanish rice. I chose the enchiladas poblanas with chicken and mole sauce. They were also served with guacamole and sour cream. The chicken inside was moist and tender, and the mole sauce was incredible. I learned that mole sauce is made with unsweetened chocolate, (but it is not sweet or chocolatey in the way you'd expect), and it was so rich and flavorful and tasted amazing with the chicken.
The portions are perfect- filling, yet not overwhelming. We were pleasantly full by the end of our meal, yet able to split a dessert. We ordered flan, and it was probably one of the best flans that I have had- delicate and drizzled with a delicious sauce. We also had mexican coffee, something I have not had before. Our waiter explained that it had chammomile tea, honey, and brown sugar mixed in. It was the perfect end to our meal.
This is the perfect place to take a date or to celebrate a special occasion, without having to spend piles of money. If you haven't checked out this hidden treasure, you owe it to yourself!
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