It had been a very long week. To make matters worse, I was driving back from Winnetka stuck in the parking lot that is the 405. I was meeting some friends for cocktails and a bite at Mi Casa and it was a miracle I actually made it in time — two hours in my car mind you — that alone was enough reason to want to throw one back.
Hmmm I think I mentioned my doctor didn’t want me drinking right? But am I listening??
Mi Casa offers an extensive and IMPRESSIVE drinks menu, spanning three pages ranging from margaritas, martinis, cocktails, specialty shots and after dinner drinks to choose from. There was NO way I was going to not have a drink tonight. Not only did I need one, but these looked too good to pass up!
We started with Cucumber-Jalapeno Margarita ($10) with 1921 Blanco Tequila, muddled cucumber and jalepeno, organic agave nectar and lime juice. I know this isn’t an issue for most people but I found it WAY too strong and hence, masked the cucumber.
Grapefruit Margarita ($10) uses Corralejo Blanco Tequila, Cointreau, sweet & sour and lime juice and possesses that sweet/tart taste I love in margaritas. This was quite tasty indeed!
Complimentary chips and salsa are brought to the table while you peruse the menu. The house salsa is very good although not spicy, but ask your server and he or she will be more than happy to bring you an array of salsas including something spicy if you so wish.
Moving on, we decided on a few plates to share. Mi Casa recently added a few Fall Entrees section to its menu with healthier options for those not wanting a heavier meal.
Chile Relleno Puebla ($8.95) is a fresh pasilla chile stuffed with queso fresco and covered in your choice of ranchero sauce or salsa verde. The dish also comes with beans and rice and the portion is a hefty one! I love how the chile is not heavily battered with only a light egg coating. We asked for the sauces on the side and opted for the one with Ortega chiles rather than the salsa verde.
Grilled Mahi Tacos ($11.95) are two tacos on corn tortillas with Mi Casa’s creamy avocado sauce, cabbage, pico de gallo and queso fresco. This also comes with rice and a salad, making it an even healthier option with the beans topped with cheese.
Another round of cocktails were in store, this time, the Mangorita ($9.50) proved to be my downfall. This Herradura Silver Tequila blended with mango, organic agave nectar, Triple Sec and lime juice tasted more like a smoothie than a cocktail and was so delicious I couldn’t stop drinking it.
Patron Prickly Pear ($10.50) was also a mouthwatering concoction of Patron Silver Tequila, prickly pear cactus juice and lime juice! Again this had the sweet tart flavor I love! Hard not to resist drinking more except, well, I still needed to drive home!
The restaurant was packed and bustling with energy, lots of people waiting for a table, but we couldn’t leave without trying a highly recommended new cocktail on the menu — X-O ($9.50). This Patron XO, Tres Leches and Frangelico drink topped with cinnamon was our dessert. Sweet, chocolatey, with hints of hazelnut from the Frangelico was such a treat — an adult one though — and we were sad to have to give up our booth but were full and immensely happy from all the tasty drinks we had.
Stop by for their Happy Hour if you have time. The bar area is usually packed at 4pm with hoards of people getting their drink on while enjoying specially priced snacks to munch on. In fact, I think I need one of these today!
Mi Casa Mexican Restaurant
296 E 17th Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Tel: 949-645-7626
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