|
Colorful and vibrant, with beautiful
frescoes on almost every wall, the moment you
walk through the carved wood doors you are lured
into a full on fiesta. Copious amounts of foliage
are seen everywhere, hanging from the ceilings
and even growing in decorated pots on ledges.
 |
There are three main areas;
the dining, which seats up to three hundred,
the bar which can hold a hundred and fifty,
and the patio, which doesn’t really
have a fixed number of seats, as I am
sure tables and chairs can be added to
accommodate the lovers of our beautiful
San Diego weather. There were even fires,
with a fireplace indoors and fire pit
outside, to stave off the occasional lingering
chills.
Arroyo, our server for the
night, was very informative about all
the dishes on the menu, explaining details
that added just that extra touch of sensory
anticipation (in simpler words, he made
my mouth water!)
Our appetizer was the guacamole, prepared
right in front of us, with Arroyo explaining
what he was adding to it all the while.
He asked if we liked it spicy, and after
just a hint of trepidation, we said yes.
With a mischievous grin, he emptied a
bowl of diced peppers onto our awaiting
avocados.
|
While I stared at him mutely, he
laughed and assured me that the peppers were
“washed”. Still at a loss for words,
I stared on for more reassurance. Apparently,
when the peppers are washed after they are chopped,
it takes the sting out of them, and what remains
is mainly the flavor.
I have to admit I didn’t fully
believe him till I tasted it. It was true! The
flavor of the peppers blended with the nuttiness
of the avocado, the tartness of the tomato and
the sharpness of the onion into a marriage –
not of convenience- but of true love.
|
|
|
For the main course, I got the Jose Cuervo
Flaming Fajitas Supremas, “excellent
choice” I was assured by Arroyo,
while my husband (who accompanies me on
my culinary trysts) had the Combinacion
Veracruzana, (it looked to me like a sampler
plate on steroids) with tostadas, enchiladas
and tacos.
My entrée was impressive enough,
eliciting the prerequisite “oohs
and aahs” when it was flambéed
at our table, but the true enjoyment came
when I got to taste the tender marinated
steak, the succulent shrimp and the perfectly
cooked, wonderfully seasoned chicken.
It was done just right. Served
with freshly made tortillas,guacamole
and rice, it is a Big Meal,not for the
faint of heart.
|
|
Which was another thing
that impressed me, all the portions
were more than healthy, they were
positively in the pink of health!
|
|
The great thing about eating with
my husband is that we sample off
each others plates, and while that
may be off-putting to some, it serves
me very well indeed.
The Queso Fresco Enchiladas
were refreshingly different; the
fresh cheese filling was light and
delicious, and a nice change from
the usual enchiladas I’ve tasted.
Do give that a try if you are daring
enough to veer off the usual path.
|
|
While I did not have the
fortitude to sample as much as I wanted
to, what we did have was both delicious,
and generous, with freshness being a common
theme throughout. I would recommend the
El Torito to any who haven’t tried
it yet, and to those who have, go back…
you may have forgotten exactly how good
the food is.
The location is convenient,
the parking ample, and they are opened
from 11 a.m. till 10 p.m. on weekdays
and offer a buffet brunch on Sundays starting
at 9. If you choose to order take out,
I can promise you that while you may not
be able to enjoy the stained glass or
frescoes, as you eat your meal you will
definitely hear strains of festive Mexican
music in the background.
Photos
by John Leonffu
|
|
