Guacamole

After our post nearly three weeks ago about our amazing trip to Paxia, our friends and photographers, Jim and Garrett, went to Paxia the next day (Friday). They had the same server we did and had the same incredible experience.

However, we went back with Garrett on Sunday night and had a slightly different experience. It actually took about 30 minutes to get our chips and salsa. I learned that only one basket of chips is complimentary. Any more than that is )I believe) $4.99 a basket. That price is a bit steep in my book--even for the best chips and salsa in town.

Garrett ordered the black bean soup to be split between the three of us, and the waitress brought us three spoons. We decided it was a good idea to have two extra bowls, too. She had told Garrett the soup was good. It tasted like a black bean dip. Good, but not earth-shattering. The same lack of thought replayed when the family-style rice and beans were delivered without serving utensils. We either used chips or our silverware before we ate with it.

The guac and salsa were again top of the ladder. We would go there all the time if only those were good.

Cost Per Person $15.00

The first time I heard of Paxia, I was getting off of I-4 and saw a guy dancing around with a sign saying it was the best Mexican restaurant in Orlando. The next time I heard of Paxia was less than a week later when I was researching the restaurants participating in Eat Local Week sponsored by Slow Food Orlando. Tonight we chose to dine there mainly because I couldn't remember any other restaurant on our list and it was close by--because it was getting late (like 5) and I was very hungry. Boy, was I glad it was the only one I could think of!

Let's start with our entrance into the restaurant. This is only the second restaurant I've ever seen that actually tries to sit people in the windows first so that the place looks full. Of course, by the time we left, the place was full so it didn't really matter! But, it's a wise marketing move. The greeter who seated us was the first person at any restaurant we've been to this week to completely explain the concept of Slow Food, and he did so in great accurate detail.

Cost Per Person $12.00

We were having a hard time finding a place to dine in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida for dinner. We passed a sign for Carlos and Pepe's near our hotel. It boasted being "World Famous," and the reviews Paul read said the guacamole was tops. I was getting quite hungry, so we decided to stop.

The restaurant was very popular. It seems to be a very large restaurant with many tables, even outside and in a bar, and few tables were empty. The staff was quite polite.

Ordering from the menu proved to be trickier than expected. There were very few vegetarian items on the menu--mainly limited to the salad, quesadilla, and vegetable fajitas. Paul asked if he could have a burrito with just beans, and waitress said that wasn't on the menu. So, he ordered the Caesar cause the waitress said the dressing was without anchovies and I ordered the spinach quesadilla. Paul also ordered the guac with a side of flour tortillas.

We should probably wait until Garrett Nudd comes this week to add this post, but we'll just take our chances. It seems that we finally have a situation where Garrett's guacamole may actually have a rival. Paul's Aunt Marsha did something amazing for our Mexican dinner, but we were playing on the beach or something and missed the exact creation. As near as I can tell, the ingredients were simply diced avocados, smaller diced tomatoes and red onions, fresh cilantro, one fresh squeezed lime, and a couple dashes of Cholula and salt. Maybe there was a diced garlic clove, too. Perhaps we won't hurt Garrett's feelings too much if we just recommend that he not smash the avocado, and we'll offer to dash some cholula to see if that's all it takes.

Our dear friend, Garrett Nudd, will be devastated to know that I actually purchased guacamole instead of making it at home. Now, hear me out. I had a coupon for Buy One, Get One Free. Plus, they were on sale for, like, $2.64. The avocados around the stores looked horrible and were ridiculously priced. What's a girl to do? I decided this would be a great test. What happens when avocados are out of season, but you're dying for guacamole? There are millions of people out there wanting to know what to do! I must save them! (How's that for drama, Garrett?)

I would like to thank my father for his talented photography, and I congratulate him on his first appearance as a guest photographer for ELAR.

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