True Culinary Stories From Around Town: Cantina Laredo, Sicola's, Central Market

What’s the best thing about Cantina Laredo, the new corporate crapulence located on the back end of the 2nd Street District? Leaving it, steaming mad, after being told the waiter couldn’t close out a bar tab after waiting 45 minutes for a table; waiting 20 minutes at the bar, without any service, while trying to close that same bar tab; being told by the helpless hostess to try again later, because they’re "really slammed"; waiting 40 minutes for a second-rate dinner, and finally being brought a glass of dreary Pinot Grigio – with the check. Boo! PS - the only thing more gross, cheesy and regrettable than the enchiladas is the weird, wannabe-upscale sports-bar decor. Make a run for the border, it's faster, easier and more delicious.
Cantina Laredo
201 West 3rd Street

What’s the best thing about Sicola’s: A Culinary Experience? The attention Chef Stephen Sicola pays to detail. Chef Stephen focuses on local, fresh, logical foods served in innovative ways. (Miniature shrimp cocktail served in tequila shot glasses with a creamy-smooth guac? You betcha! Tender flank with a sweet jalapeno sauce? Sign us up. A sexy heirloom tomato salad with fresh mozz, basil, and a Balsamic that’s older than your sister? Yay!) Sicola’s isn’t a traditional restaurant – instead it hosts monthly dinners showcasing the talents of Chef Stephen and Sous Chef Travis Ball. It also hosts private events, and with the recent opening of their partner business next door, the swanky Thomas Saverio Salon and Spa, it looks like someone’s got the bridal party market cornered.
Sicola’s: A Culinary Experience
5416 Parkcrest

What’s the best thing about getting off work late and stopping by Central Market in a clueless stupor, starving, grumpy and irrational? The comforting presence of Jane King, one of the store’s original foodies. Her job? To keep up with the latest trends in specialty foods, find people wandering the aisles with confused looks on their faces, and serving as a culinary consultant. She even contributes to Rachael Ray Everyday Magazine as sort of a regional correspondent. Cool. Better yet, she has never, ever been heard saying, “E-V-O-O - EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL!”
Central Market
4001 N. Lamar

Image (c) Grenade on Flickr

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By Sam Armstrong in Food on June 21, 2006 9:44 AM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

too bad

I was invited to the Tequila Dinner hosted by Cantina Laredo last night. The only impressive part of the meal was the Patron Tequila tasting!

The food was OK and the staff very nice, but I had some tempura brownie desert and to my surprise had an ONION IN MY ICE CREAM! I didn't want to say anything because my meal was comped and I was having such a great time. Plus it was just an onion;could be worse.

The clincher was I had just read a review in the Statesman about how they had a similar problem with the flan.

They should probably move their prep station away from the desert station.

It definitely left a bad taste in my mouth.

too bad.

Rachel

I totally agree. I've eaten at Cantina Laredo twice now...the second time only because we were invited out to join a big group of friends there. Both times, the food was sub-par if not awful and the prices are appaling. I hope people catch on soon that this is nothing more than a trendy facade--save your money and head elsewhere, anywhere else.

Donna

In response to Cantina Laredo: What do you expect from an El Chico owned resturant? Having eaten in a few in Dallas it wasn't worth the price and it had no soul. The gauc was good though. i'm just glad someone actually wrote about it truthfully, because i've seen nothing but glowing reviews about the place, like it's something great. Every time I walk past Cantina Laredo, i sneer at it.