La Esquina Cocina
This lovely restaurant, which opened in 2019, is tucked into the corner of Holmes and Spragins streets downtown and serves up authentic Mexican cuisine. The Executive Chef, Erika Rios, is originally from Mexico City and previously worked in town at Grille 29. In Spanish, the restaurant’s name translates to “the corner kitchen”. The Garcia and Jimenez families own this charming place, and they also run the Buenavista Cantina locations in Hampton Cove, Scottsboro and Madison. A close friend of mine first told me about this restaurant after she attended their soft opening. I’ve eaten there a few times before the writing of this blog post, and I keep returning thanks to their delicious tapas and distinctive margaritas. Downtown had been lacking in Mexican fare before this spot came along, and it’s close to the VBC for a great meal before a concert, a play or a sporting event.
On this visit, I ordered the Shrimp Bowl and the Beet Salad. The bowl had just the right amount of spice, a hearty amount of grilled shrimp, rice, lettuce, cheese, slaw, cilantro and salsa. I loved the ripe avocado slices on top of the bowl, and the zesty chipotle aioli added a nice zing. The beet salad was very fresh, and I am a huge fan of burrata. The citrus dressing was light and refreshing, and the beets were colorful and juicy. My husband had the Taco Plate, and he took quite a while to choose three types from their many choices (shrimp, fish, chorizo, pastor, asada, pollo, and carnitas) since they all sounded so good. The mild flavor of the cucumber margarita I was drinking paired well with the savory plates of food in front of me. Other menu items I’ve enjoyed at this restaurant include the Empanadas de Carne (which the waitress identified as their most popular menu item), the Manchego & Jamón Serrano mini charcuterie board and the luscious Tres Leches cake. It can get quite loud in the restaurant so be ready for that, but you can always ask to be seated outside on their quiet front patio. If you are worried there will be a long wait, they take reservations! Happy to have this place in the middle of the action on the corner of two busy downtown Huntsville streets.