Fresh, distinct flavors in a genial atmosphere
Written: Jul 01 '07
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Pros: Great selection and variety. genial atmosphere.
Cons: Peak hour crowds can create waiting times for tables.
The Bottom Line: El Mariachi is an excellent option for dinner, or late supper. Convenient location in Rockville, open late, and always, always good!
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| Spiderider's Full Review: El Mariachi Restaurant |
Real food and clean tastes. El Mariachi doesn't served prepackaged microwaved foods. Everything is fresh, and the ingredients have distinctive flavors. Even the chips and salsa are freshly made, and can differ slightly from visit to visit. The white tablecloths and linen napkins add a touch of class, though the atmosphere is definitely comfortable, informal and unpretentious.
The cuisine is Mexican and El Salvadorian, with a great variety of dishes to choose from, including seafood, beef, pork and chicken. The staff is friendly and efficient. While the restaurant can be quite crowded on weekend evenings, or just after work on weekdays, the atmosphere is pleasant, as people all seem to be enjoying themselves. Best of all, the sound level seems to achieve that special balance where, despite the closeness of tables, you never seem to hear the conversation at the other tables.
Family owned, the staff is friendly and accommodating.
Excellent appetizer choices on the menu include the seviche -a lime juice marinated white fish with onion and jalapeņo pepper - or wonderful, moist tamales containing chicken and chick peas.
Main dishes that really excel are the seafood enchilada (for the cheese and seafood lover), and the Tia Juana Platter, which is a sizzling fajita combo of delicious steak and shrimp.
The pato (duck) and olive is amazingly free of fat. A half boneless duck with sliced green, stuffed olives is a great meal.
Salmon in Pacifico Sauce is another winner. A healthy hunk of broiled salmon with a delicate crispiness on the surface, and a moist, flaky interior. It arrives swimming in a shallow pool of a creamy caper sauce that really compliments the flavor of the fish. And speaking of fish, the Mariscada in Gulf Sauce is a seafood stew in a hearty broth that is perfect for a cold evening to warm you from the inside out. It's delicious.
There is a selection of enchiladas and taco combination platters, and a vegetarian section of the menu too.
Just about everything comes with rice and beans, some pico de gallo, and a sprig or two of broccoli.
Nothing on the menu has ever disappointed me. Everything has the taste of fresh made, with fresh ingredients that don't blur together on the plate or on the palate. I think this is in stark contrast to most TexMex chain restaurants I've been to.
If you still have room for dessert, Tres Leches is a fantastic choice. It's an absorbent cake with some heft to it that is soaked in condensed milk and topped with a whip cream layer. Wow! Their flan and chocolate mouse are also excellent homemade desserts.
The restaurant has a bar, so you can beer, wine, sangria or mixed drinks. The margaritas are good, and pack just enough of a punch to liven up dinner without putting you over the top (well, depending on how many you have, I guess!).
The bar is in the kitchen, and is no the kind at which you could sit. Drinks are served at the tables.
The wait staff are friendly and attentive, but don't hover or intrude. After you've been there a few times, they start to feel like family.
El Mariachi is open later than many other restaurants in the neighborhood -seven days a week - so you will find it open and serving up until 10:30 on weeknights, and later on weekends. It's my favorite restaurant in town - always reliable and always good.
Prices are moderate.
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: Yes
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations Good picks include Tia Juana Platter, Pato and Olive, Salmon Pacifico, or Lengua al Vino. They also have a speicals menu.
Best Suited For: Friends
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Epinions.com ID:
Spiderider
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Member: Richard
Reviews written: 18
Trusted by: 3 members
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