TERRY’S PICKY PALATE / Tuna Tostada, Chile Relleno and a Prickly Pear Margarita at Old Town Mexican Café

BY TERRY SCHMIDA

For me, any time is a great time for Mexican food.

But with Cinco de Mayo taking place on Friday, May 5, the fiesta spirit of America’s southern neighbor is in the air, making it an ever better occasion to enjoy the varied and delicious cuisine of Mexico.

With this in mind, I recently ventured into Old Town Mexican Café, 609 Duval St., to sample a couple of menu items – one old, one new – and a drink, from the “New Mexican” restaurant’s brand new liquor bar.

“We’re pretty excited to be able to offer our customers top-shelf tequila and other drinks,” said owner Gail Brockway, who opened the popular eatery 17 years ago. “And for Cinco de Mayo, we’ll be offering $5 margaritas, $5 tacos, and $16 buckets of imported or domestic beers.”

On my visit Brockway is proud to unveil a newly-minted creation with roots in booth Mexican and Key West culinary traditions: That would be the Chile Relleno stuffed with Picadillo and Cheese.

This is a true treat for the taste buds, featuring a giant smoky roasted poblano pepper overflowing with flavorful, raisin-studded picadillo and fresco cheese, coated in a light batter, and rolled in bread crumbs, then served in a pool of red chile sauce, with a side of black beans and rice.

“It’s all made from scratch,” Brockway said. “I really love these, and they’re very popular with our customers.”

Up next is the Black Bean Tostada with Sushi Grade Tuna.

This delightful appetizer mounts local sushi-grade tuna, marinated in a soy lime ginger sauce and sprinkled with black sesame seeds, on a tostada brimming with baby arugula, homemade pineapple salsa, green olives, radishes, cilantro, and banana peppers.

It’s a truly unique melange of flavors that Brockway recommends highly for the coming hot season.

“It’s a really healthy, light and fresh dish,” she said. “And great for summertime.”

To wash it all down Brockway brings me a Prickly Pear Margarita, composed of white tequila, lime juice, prickly pear liqueur, Triple Sec, and ice.

It’s a fantastic combination that’s not too tart or sweet, and “fits in well with the Key West/Mexico connection” Brockway aims for with many of her offerings.

Happy Cinco de Mayo everybody, and Ole!

Old Town Mexican Café is open from 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. seven days a week. For more information, or to place a take-out order, call 305-296-7500.

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