Mexican Tequila Lunch
We headed towards Mexico around 11:45AM for our Noon Lunch Reservation. They had the menu outside at the podium so we got to know what we were having before sitting down. From first look of the menu, I knew I would be happy with 3 of the 4 dishes so I find that to be a win! As you don’t know what the menu is going to be - you always chance there to be something that you aren’t 100% a fan of.
Menu
We had the same host as I had last year. I liked him as he knows his stuff. He also decided to change up the music this year so we had more than just the Tequila song between his talking points.
Host
The welcome margarita was extremely refreshing for how hot of a day it was. These are handed to you as you were seated. My mother and I were the furthest in on the long table in the center which is fine as we could see the host but also had the window ledge for our stuff since there wasn’t much room left on the tables after all the tequila glasses and silverware were there. The cucumber really worked well with the lime. I had zero trouble finishing mine quickly!
Welcome Tequila Avion Cucumber Margarita
We were given a shot of Mezcal, Blanco, Reposado, Anejo, Espresso Tequila and Vodka (left to right) The vodka would be used to clean our palettes after the main course before switching to the espresso tequila and dessert.
Lots of Tequila
The first course was a light refreshing salad. With the temperature outside, I’m glad this started with something like this as we all cooled down some. There wasn’t a ton of pine nuts or pineapple but just enough to give it varying textures for larger bites. The dressing was light and didn’t have an overly smokey feel of the mezcal. This was paired with the Blanco.
Heart of Palm Salad - Mache Lettuce, Baby Arugula, Roasted Pineapple, Pine Nuts, Mezcal Vinaigrette
Our second course was the one I was the most iffy about. I’ve tried octopus various times before in my life and I’ve never been a fan. It's usually too tough and something about the texture of the tentacles is just weird to me especially with the suction cups still on it. I know thats funny as I love abalone. The sauce on this was tasty and the octopus was tenderize a fair amount but I just couldn’t enjoy it much. I ate a couple bites before saying no more. Those at the table that like octopus did love this dish though as they said it was probably the most tender octopus they have ever had. They obviously knew what they were doing! This was paired with the Reposado.
Grilled Octopus - Marinated in ancho paste, served with black mole, butternut squash puree and grilled cactus leaves
The main course was pretty dang good! The filet was cooked a little more than I like it (I’m a rare/medium rare girl) but I also understood they are cooking the meat for the masses and they went for medium cook to make sure most people would be ok. The meat was still really tender. The poblano cream sauce was awesome. I totally became a member of the clean plate club with this dish! I really enjoyed the plantain puree and it reminded me I need to go visit the local peruvian chicken place for lunch that has amazing plantain and yucca chips! This was paired with the anejo!
Beef Tenderloin topped with poblano cream sauce, plantain puree and fingerling chips
We were told to try the mezcal at this point. The mezcal given this year was extremely smokey unlike last year. I could have had an extra shot of it but I just couldn’t do it this year! Luckily, we had the shot of vodka to clean our palettes before it was time for dessert!
The dessert was a mamey flan. My mother had originally seen flan on the menu and expected a traditional flan. She was little disappointed to get this. As I don’t like traditional flan much, I was happy to get this. It was something different than normal. It wasn’t overly sweet but it was a nice end of the meal. The texture was really similar to the rice pudding I had last year. You could also pour some of the espresso tequila on top and it changed the taste as well. My mother did that to hers as she liked it better that way. I just tried it on a small amount but I like sipping my tequila!
Mamey Flan - creamy flan of Mamey topped with blackberry coulis and almond dust
Overall, this was a great event especially for the cost (less than $90 per person after tax.) We had a great time there as well! As I wasn’t double drinking this time, I didn’t end up in too bad of shape but I still was feeling pretty happy. I was really good about drinking water so that also helped! I would totally do this again next year.