lite bites
Authentic Mexican cuisine comes to 11th Avenue
When you try the simply named Fish Orange Salad at Mexitlan Grill in Kaimuki’s 11th Avenue Atrium, you’re tasting a unique dish inspired by Francisco Dominguez’ childhood in Mexico City. The salad, cubed mahimahi served over iceberg lettuce, is topped with cheese and crispy wontons and drizzled with an orange sauce. The flavors are wonderful, and as a light, refreshing appetizer or entrée, the dish works really well. Dominguez sees it as part of his mission to introduce the true food of his culture to Hawaii. “When we were kids, we would take an orange, peel it and then sprinkle on a kind of salty seasoning,” he says, bringing the spices to the table as he speaks. “I wanted to remember that taste, and so I made it in the salad.” It’s a great example of the kind of food he would make if he wasn’t so concerned with keeping to the idea of “American-Mexican.” “If I started to make the kind of Mexican food that we eat in Mexico, the people here would not eat it — or they would not recognize it,” says Dominguez. “My idea is to introduce the food slowly and then people will see that the dishes are good.” For the most part, you’ll recognize almost all of the Mexitlan menu. There’s Guacamole Made-to-Order ($7.50), Nachos ($7.50) Chili Relleno ($14.95), Tamales ($14.45) and a selection of burritos that start at $9.95. But venture from the comfort-
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Mexitlan Grill Where: 1137 11th Ave., Kaimuki
Call: 737.5678
Hours:
Ruth’s Chris Steak House at Restaurant Row will pair food and wine at Tuesday’s special tasting.
Open daily for lunch and dinner
Left: One of the restaurant’s unique Mexican dishes, Enmoladas ($12.25), is made up of corn tortillas stuffed with chicken, covered with cotija cheese, cacao mole sauce and served with Mexi rice.
zone Mexican dishes, and Dominguez has much to offer. Lobster Tacos ($12.95) are a unique item, featuring a grilled lobster mixed with sour cream, aurora dressing and spicy avo cream and served with Mexi rice and beans. “I don’t think that they have lobster tacos anywhere else,” says Dominguez. Chicken Mole ($17.25), sautéed chicken breast served with roasted pineapple and rice, features a brown mole sauce — richly spiced with chili peppers and cocoa. And try the Da Vinci Burrito ($12.95) for something that shows Dominguez’s desire to create new and exciting entrees. The burrito is filled with shrimp,
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Monterey cheese, salsa, cilantro sour cream and topped with a chipotle Alfredo sauce. “It’s a combination of Italian and Mexican,” says Dominguez of the rich, hearty dish. For those who measure a good Mexican restaurant by its salsa, one dip of Mexitlan’s homemade smoky chili salsa should convince you of the restaurant’s potential for truly authentic Mexican food. You’ll find Mexitlan inside the 11th Avenue Atrium, next door to Bella Mia Pizzeria. Formerly a Japanese restaurant, a central teppanyaki grill serves as an interesting focal point in this bustling, colorful, must-try, new home to Mexican food.
Wine Tasting at the Row
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uth’s Chris Steak House at Restaurant Row hosts a special wine tasting this Tuesday in collaboration with Robert Mondavi Winery. The limited-seating event begins with a cocktail reception and oysters, and is followed by a lateral tasting (a tasting of the same varietal from different vintages), and samplings of the 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet and 2006 Oakville Cabernet. Food pairings will include the restaurant’s
famous New York strip and a variety of dishes created specially for the event. Alan Suzuki of Constellation Wines will introduce the wines, and plans to add a sweet touch to the end of the evening. “I worked with Chef Philippe Padovani to create chocolate liqueurs to pair with ice wine at the end of dinner,” he says. “It was a really interesting experience, and the chocolates are outstanding.” For tickets or more information, call 599.3860.