|
|
|
|
Azul 17
Finally Howard County and Columbia can boast a restaurant for authentic Mexican cuisine, tequila bar and night club all rolled in one.
Owners Julio & Lily Soto have successfully taken their combined years of experience and vision to create a much-needed venue for the area. The appeal is not just for the movers & shakers of the area, but the taqueria menu is very appealing to kids. And of course, after the dinner hour, there is the nightclub atmosphere for all the young at heart. The Sotos, along with Amber Drenner, the General Manager, have used this experience to hire a staff of well-informed servers who make you feel at home. The staff has been extensively trained to handle all your questions and make useful suggestions on the wine list. While Azul 17 advertises itself as a tequila bar, they have an impressive wine list designed to pair with the menu.. Any of their professional wait staff can answer questions and advise on the list.
Chef Damien Portuquez has created a menu of authentic Mexican dishes, many of which he learned in his grandmother’s kitchen in Mexico.
The restaurant had it’s Grand Opening on Thursday, October 8, which I attended with two friends. We were offered a selection of small plates which were fantastic. One of my friends is a vegetarian and was quite satisfied with the selections brought to her. We tasted chile relleno de queso which was a roasted poblano pepper stuffed with Chihuahua-Oaxaca cheese over a roasted tomato broth. We also tried a veggie tamale along with delicious Tres Reinas. This is made with traditional hand-made corn tortillas, Chihuahua-Oaxaca cheese, huitalcoche (Mexican truffle), Epazote & poblano rajas. This is served with tomatllo chile de arbol salsa. There was also plenty of sangria to go around. Suffice it to say the Grand Opening was a Grand Success.
So, I decided to return to be sure everything was up to snuff with the opening. I arrived in the early afternoon and was greeted warmly. It was in between lunch & dinner so it was a very relaxed atmosphere. The first thing that caught my eye (which somehow I didn’t see it the first time) was the display of tequilas behind the bar. Azul 17 boasts 100 different kinds of tequila ranging in price from $7.00 to $200.00 per drink. Now that’s some selection.!!! Unfortunately, this time I didn’t try the fantastic array of tequilas but rest assured that the next time I’ll have a designated driver and will enjoy a drink or two. In addition to the servers being well informed on the wine list, the bartender (Adam, the day I was there) has a vast knowledge of the tequilas and is a master in the art of mixing a margarita. The margaritas are made with freshly squeezed limes and flavored with organic agave sweeteners.
The décor is coolly dramatic. The tables are a combination of white leather and chrome. In the dining room your attention is drawn to the multiple flat screen TV’s throughout the room. The screens display pictures of the various dishes offered. I’m a visual person and love to see what I’m eating. I also spent some time looking around at other diners to see what looked appealing. Presentation is a BIG factor in the taste of a meal. I love being able to see what is offered. Chef Damien has done a great job in both taste & presentation. In the evening when dinner is over, the dining room and bar are turned into a dance area and the TV screens show computerized designs in sync with the music. There is a DJ on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. On one wall in the dining area is a mural of a peasant harvesting agave plants. The mural was painted by a relative of the Sotos. Maria del Socorro Pelayo is an artist of fame in her native city of Guadalajara, Mexico and she brought her talent to be seen on the wall of Azul 17. The decorating of the other walls is still a work in progress and another artist will be completing the other mural. The lighting is contemporary and to my taste very pleasing. There is one large banquette in the back of the dining room for large parties. The name Azul 17 is the conception of owner Julio Soto. Azul – blue in Spanish – is the color of the agave plant, which is the source of tequilla and the number 17 is his lucky number.
Now to the best part of the restaurant which is of course the food. Julio and Lily have used their vast experience in the food industry to create a restaurant which is attractive to a wide spectrum of the population. All of the hand-made mini tortillas, empanadas and tamales are made in-house. The three guacamoles offered are made tableside which ensures the freshness of the offering and adds a bit of entertainment. I loved watching the guacamole being made in the authentic molcajete and tejolote (mortar & pestal) made of lava rock. Just one more addition to the authenticity of the restaurant. As mentioned in other reviews of Azul 17, the sopa de tortilla is a bit of a surprise. Instead of a clear broth there is wonderful creamy tomato base with chicken and crema avocado and totopos. There are three salads (once again all authentic Mexican), a variety of platos pequenos (little dishes), all prepared with the freshest ingredients. There are also taquerias – individual Mexico City street-style tacos with hand-made mini corn tortillas. These are all attractively priced and make a fantastic lunch. Kids will love them. The menu is completed with Azul 17 signature dishes of steak, chicken, pork, red snapper and seafood all prepared with a wonderful Mexican accent. The menu finally ends with an offering of deserts including Chef Damien’s specialty, the Tres Leches which is a white cake soaked with three different forms of mile & meringue.
Azul 17 IS the hottest new place in Howard County/Columbia. There is something for everyone. The kids will love the Taquita menu, parents will love the authenticity, and for the singles
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
City Living Source © 2007
|
| | | |
|