I joined the office folks at masa for happy hour on Friday, and I gotta say ... not bad. Before Friday, I hadn't tried out the current incarnation of the place formerly known as Ricardo's and even more formerly known as Lorenzo's. The reviews I had heard hadn't wowed me ... basically not bad but not great, and pretty spendy. So I was in for a pleasant surprise that evening ...
I hardly touched the menu on Friday as I had to hurry home and work on Christmas planning, but the happy hour maragrita on the rocks I did have was fabulous -- took me right back to the summer I spent in Mexico. The baskets of chips were huge and yummy, and the salsa (while a tad more watery than my norm) was actually quite nice. And the appetizers some of the rest of our party ordered looked fabulous, and while the ordering couple are expecting a baby ... I don't think that was the only reason for no crumb or drop left untouched. Gotta say, when they arrived at the table, I wished I'd ordered something ...
Peeking at masa's website, there's yet another factoid that will have me heading back with the hubby for a date in the hopefully near future. It's this statement that wins my heart: "Our menu features handmade molé, and rellenos as well as house smoked meats, artisan cheeses from different regions of Mexico, and handmade sauces that just can't be found in the Northwest."
You see, back when I spent that summer in Mexico, I lived with a family in San Miguel de Allende, and this picky eater fell in love with my host mother's molé. A simple meal of toast smothered in molé and cheeses I haven't tasted since: divine. Only once have I experienced anything close, and that was while dining at the table of a lovely and wonderful Mexicana.
Wondering what molé is? According to cdkitchen.com, it's an assortment of thick sauces used in Mexican cooking made out of chiles. The sauces are made with one or many chiles, flavored with cumin, coriander, cinnamon, nuts, seeds and chocolate. Their flavor is rich, smoky and very complex. ...
Did you see the key word in that description? I'll just tell you: Chocolate.
Need I say more?
Anyone want to join us to check out the offerings sometime soon? Me thinks this place could use a little lovin'.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
I must try mas masa ...
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3 comments:
I would be willing to try them again. My experiences have been mixed, but that didn't have anything to do with the food. Those chips are definitely to die for.
It is true, they are a bit more pricey than other Mexican restaurants in the area, where you can also get molé. The atmosphere is really neat though and the owners have definitely invested in Tacoma.
I, too, have found Masa to be mixed, but there's enough good goin' on there to make me go back.
Call me. We'll go. ; )
kmd -- xoxoxo
We've been there three times in the last week and absolutely love the atmosphere and total dining experience. Whether it has been ringing in the New Year or sitting at the bar with a friend on Friday night, I have nothing but wonderful things to say about Masa, the service or the incredible food. Thank you John for the round of Tequila shots for me and my friends.
C~
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