Mi Cocina

Short version: Beautiful place, awkward start, very good food. Long Version: This visit was quite interesting.
On Easter Sunday, just after noon, I expected this place to be packed.
However, we were seated immediately and there were very few occupied tables.
The building is very nicely done on the outside, and there is plenty of parking.
Inside, it has a very elegant feel with stone and dark wood throuout and modern lighting fixtures.
There is a beautiful bar set to the side with its own seating and even a semi-private area beyond it.
I noticed a completely private room to the left of the entry which looks inviting for private lunch/dinner meetings.
They have effectively used a lot of glass windows to create an uncongested feel. The thing that really struck me as a first impresssion is how we were seated and what happened next.
Nothing.
The entire restaurant is set up with completely blank tables, which creates a very uneasy feeling that we were there before they were open or ready for us.
Not even a center piece or even salt and pepper.
The Hostess placed a menus for the two of us and we just sat.
It was very quiet and they did have music playing softly, but there was no real buzz or excitement.
So, for 5 minutes we just sat.
A lady did stop by and place a basket of chips and a couple small salsas and did say a polite 'hello'.
Then, we continued to sit, without contact or even a napkin for 10 minutes.
I only mention this because it was really uncomfotable.
We saw a busser pass through and two waiters who pushed a few tables together for a 10 top family that was coming and ran food to the bar table.
Still, just walking by and not even looking at us.
Just odd. Finally, a waiter stopped and asked if we needed something to drink.
He did not introduce himself which makes an odd situation even more odd.
Yes, chips & salsa with no napkins, etc was awkward and making us thirsty.
We ordered the queso with beef and sodas. Here is where it gets better.
When he very quickly brought the queso he provided a utensil roll.
At that time he asked about ordering.
I asked for recommendations and he very estutely inquired about what I was looking for.
He provided a primary and secondary recommdation.
I asked about another item in comparison and he stuck with his primary as a choice, so that's what I ordered.
Well done. The menu is extensive and diverse.
Quite a few options. The food came out in a timely manner and both items we ordered were quite good and pleasantly suprising on portion size.
Both of us could only eat about half.
We had the Cocina Changa and the Pollo Moderno.
We very much enjoyed the presentation and flavor or the food.
The Moderno lets you create your own rolls with the pico/guac/ and the sauteed veggies or onion, mushroom and cabbage make for a fun and engaging experience and crafted to your own taste.
The rice with the Moderno was delicious, too.
The Changas (combo beef and chicken as our choice) were quite good and quite large.
The chicken edged out the beef, I believe but both are quite good. When we werew done, the waiter brought a tray with to go containers so we didn't have to ask.
Then, he took our items, packaged them for us in very nice folding boxes, added a bag of fresh chips and salsa container, and placed in a very nice to-go bag (impressive and classy). As a side note, the bathrooms were also very modern, well kept, and clean. The buzz only picked up slightly while we were there, but still remained very quiet. So even though I made some interesting observations because of the slightly odd experience, I will definetely return and recommend to others.

Owner response

Service was very good.
Very attentive and friendly.
Staff was very well managed Food was something to be desired.
Entrees lacked seasoning.
I got the Deluxe 57 and everything tasted the same.
Cheddar cheese is not my preference when having Mexican inspired food.
Also the cheese was not even melted.
Rice was very bland.
We also got the shrimp fajitas and the shrimp were way over cooked and lacked flavor as well.
Chips were okay but needed some salt.
Salsa was nice and spicy but had way to much garlic.
Overall food looked good but just needed flavor and better ingredients.
For the food reasoning alone I would not recommend.
Also very disappointed with no sweet tea.
Dr.Pepper was very good though.

Can’t get enough of the authentic Chips and Salsa.
These are real chips and fresh salsa.
In addition to the excellent regular red salsa, you can opt for spicy Mocajete or get Serrano Limon to mix into the red salsa.
There is a wide variety of good Mexican Food and the drinks are excellent! Mambo Limo and La llorona are my favorites.
Really like the grilled Chilli Relleno and the premium steak fajitas.
Several outstanding items.
Prices are reasonable.

Owner response