If you want a wonderful night of entertainment and a delicious meal to go with it, then visit Tequila Sunrise, an old favorite of mine that hasn’t lost its luster. In fact it has only gotten better over the years.
The busy, spacious, and popular bar fills the front room of the attractive well-lit restaurant. The beautiful and colorful interior sets the tone for the festive place it is.
We found a table covered in a warm Ralph Lauren green tablecloth and brass chargers making an inviting setting. The tall carved chairs add to the atmosphere of Mexican folk art. While we enjoyed our margaritas, four Mariachi musicians came to serenade us. They sang and played their instruments with gusto and passion, keeping us enthralled. They proceeded to the other tables to entertain the diners with their requests and play their own classical music too.
We began our meal with a tableside prepared appetizer of guacamole. It’s a house specialty made from green avocados, with diced tomatoes, chopped onions, jalapeno peppers and cilantro — delicious! I dipped it with the crispy warm tortilla chips. Yummy. I could have filled up on this tasty combination, but more awaited us.
The menu also offers many other appetizers. We tried a few others, a breaded crab croquet made with mashed potatoes, garlic and crabmeat served on a bed of greens. We also had the avocado stuffed with crabmeat on a bed of mesclun salad. All delicious.
For a main course there are multiple choices from traditional Mexican specialties like enchiladas de mole, shredded chicken wrapped in a soft corn tortilla topped with mole sauce, and a tequila combo which offers beef chimichanga, chicken enchilada and cheese quesadilla. There are dishes for vegetarians and specials of the day and even menu choices for children. I know my five-year-old grandson Blake would love their chicken fingers or a mini cheeseburger.
My favorite choice for my main course was the margarita sea bass that had baby shrimp sautéed in a special margarita tequila sauce over the filet. My husband had his favorite, a steak. Here it is prepared grilled with avocado salad, shredded cheese, charro beans and Mexican rice, perfectly cooked to his medium-rare request.
Of course no meal is complete without dessert and Tequila Sunrise doesn’t disappoint. We loved the fried ice cream and peach delight – a perfect way to end an enchanted evening and special meal. Try it, you’ll love it too!
TEQUILA SUNRISE
34-37 Bell Boulevard
Bayside, N.Y. 11361
Phone: 718-631-0377
Web site: www.tequilasunriseofbayside.com
Hours: Seven days a week.
Sunday through Thursday noon to midnight, Friday and Saturday noon to 1 a.m.
Entertainment: Monday: Karaoke; Contemporary music Tuesday, Friday and Saturday; Mariachi Band Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Credit Cards: All major.
Parking: Valet parking lot adjacent.
Catering and parties.
