San Gabriel Mexican Cafe' ~ A Very Pleasant Surprise

Last night Patrick & I decided to go out to dinner before heading to Bible study. We didn’t dress up, as it is very casual on Friday night since so many folks go from work straight to Pastor Manny’s Bible study. We herded the two dogs into the car & Pat asked where I wanted to go. Well, since I was away from Phoenix for 8 months I had several places that I had missed. I love farrrr North Idaho, but I have to admit that Phoenix has a much better selection of eateries. Anyhow, I chose Bombay Spice, a yummy little place only about a half mile from our condo,. When we got there, we could see folks inside eating (the whole front of the restaurant is glass) but there was a sign on the front that said Bombay Spice had moved to Shea Blvd. and this new gourmet Mexican restaurant would be open on Monday, Jan. 26. Oh no!! My taste buds were set for Indian food, and where would we go? Well, the maitre d‘, who was standing at the door to greet “invitation only” guests was so gracious. Seeing our disappointment he asked us to wait a moment and he would check with the chef to see if he could get us in! Long story short(ish), we were invited in to eat the most scrumptious Mexican cuisine. I even had a glass of pinot grigio;<). Patrick & I each had a different appetizer. I had the tortilla soup and he had chicken taquitos, both very good to the taste & to the eye. For our entrée Patrick and I each had the molcajete. He had the beef & I had the chicken. The presentation was gorgeous! It was served in these thick, volcanic type bowls that were very hot…in fact, the cheese in the bowls was still sizzling & cooking when brought to our table. To finish off the meal, the waiter brought chocolate tamales for desert. Pat said it was good (I don’t do chocolate) & ate it quickly, since he has diabetes & made it go away fast so I wouldn’t scold him. The whole dining experience was a very pleasant surprise and now for the capper: It was all on the house!! Such lovely luck. We will definitely return to San Gabriel Mexican Café again. Also, now we have to go find where they moved Bombay Spice. I wonder when their invitation only night is??

San Gabriel Mexican Cafe' is located at 7000 N. 16th Street in Phoenix. The NW corner of Glendale Ave & 16th Street. The Squaw Peak Hilton is located just a little north of the cafe'.

Here is my cover boy, model husband! The wall is pretty cool with the wine bottles behind glass.

Our waiter was very professional, yet affable. He took this photo of us. (I should have removed my reading glasses.)

This is my tortilla soup. I had actually taken a few slurps, so ruined the presentation. I was hungry!

Patrick's main course: Beef Molcajete. Watch out that bowl is steaming hot!

This is Pat's chocolate tamale. All the food looked better than my pictures show. It was really pretty.