UPDATE****NOW CLOSED FOR BUSINESS>>>>The Barrio Cafe Grand Reserva is a very small restaurant that serves fine well crafted Mexican Food by James Beard Nominated Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza. About half the menu is vegan. They offer a reasonably priced tasting menu and also a similar menu in a vegan version. Ala Carte is also offered. The restaurant is quite small with only about eight tables. You do feel as if your sitting in a vestibule in an art museum Beautiful hand painting adorns the walls that tells some Mexican Folklore.

The outside is also lively and whimsical.

We decide to go with the tasting menu with a few of the vegan options.

On our table is a small bowl of a Mexican Style trail mix of tortilla chips, seeds and garlic cloves that are dusted in spicy hot chili dust. WOW they really wake you up!

Then we receive a melon and goat cheese amuse bouche.

Our first course is like nothing I’ve ever had before.

It’s spicy, it’s sweet and tangy made with fresh vegetables and fruit. It’s really different but light and delicious!  Aguachile Cayo y Mango.

Then we try vegan and the regular version of Grilled Pineapple with Hoja Santa Leaf, 14 chile stool oil, nuts. (Non vegan had added Menonita Cheese) The Grilled Pineapple is amazing with the chile and leaf flavors.

Next Course was Mole Duck and Mole Vegan (squash) Tacos with Smoked Sweet Potatoes.

It didn’t matter what taco you tried both were stellar and full of flavors. The house made nixtamalized tortillas are very special and flavorful. The Smoked sweet potatoes are spectacular. I’m not a big fan of smoked foods but the smoke here was done very carefully and is delicious! Just goes so well with the taco.

Next comes a little refreshment between courses.

A refreshing little grape shooter.

For dinner we both have the Pan Seared Halibut with Cactus fruit Salsa and Peruano White Beans.

The Halibut was moist and flaky with a delicious tasty char. Salsa and beans were delicious. I could have stopped here and been happy.

But then there was dessert and I would be very unhappy if I didn’t partake….so I had to!

We had Yams and Guavas with a Citrus Reyes Sauce and Chocolate Mousse. Both desserts were WONDERFUL and Delicious! so I left really stuffed…

Our server was Phenomenal. The Food was all amazing!

Barrio Cafe Gran Reserva is Worth a Fork!

www.BarrioCafeGranReserva.com

The Forking Truth is that everything is subject to change and your experience may or may not differ.