The facts:
- $10 Guac, prep tableside - with 1.5 avos, chopped onions, tomatoes, cilantro, j'penos and TABLESALT (yep, the harsh tasting, Denny's pairing, throat thirsting, Table Salt). Tableside prep. is a gimmick for a bland tasting Guac. and that just doesn't justify a 10dollarbill. They can do better than that.
- $12.50 margaritas - This place ain't Gramercy Tavern - nor is it close to a Manhattan cocktail spot or San Francisco for that matter. They must've knew most over 21 would not go to a mex place w/out sippin 'ritas - Ca-ching!
- $14 Carnitas. 6 chunky pork nuggets on a plate. I like the simplicity of it, but there' nothing to brag about. Tender from hrs of braising, and nicely caramel colored outside, possibly from a quick dunk at the fryer
- $18 Chicken stuffed mushroom w/ crema sauce (daily special). Taste good, but it's nothing mexican/ latin - and anyone who have had a decent al fredo sauce can nod their head when they taste this dish. $18 for a chicken entree on small plate?
- $7 Tres leches cake - it is what it is. Whether you get it at safeway or a mexican panaderia in downtown san jose, this one is no difference.
-$7 Coffee Flan w/ tequila. If only I had a camera to show it here. The edges of this flan looks as if the cooks (i doubt they have pastry chef back there - although the price suggest they're at par w/ Boulevard, Citizen cake and the like) had been having fun with his pairing-knife to get the flan out of its tinfoil mold. Then they put a flower-shaped carved strawberry on the side for that 80s presentation look.
This place lacks compassion of true latin cooking, and they priced their menus way over their game. The City is full of other places with open doors, decent drinks and better fare. Total bill came to $92 before tip - for dinner for two (1 appy, 2 ritas, 2 ents and 2 desserts). Our waitstaff is very sincere the whole time and it appears his colleagues are too from our observation in a busy friday night.
Pros: If you want to drop $100 for dinner for two w/ drinks in El Torrito - this is a better deal for ya
Cons: If you want to drop $100 for dinner for two w/ drinks - Pls go to the Mission, dt.San Jose or Concord
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