cincodemayo

California Chinaco Day!

Or better known as Cinco de Mayo.

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the victory of the Mexican army over French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

Californians, while knowing the historical significance, and appreciating the impact it has on our culture, also know it is a great excuse to imbibe fantastic local food, Cervesa, and of couse, Tequila, in even greater quantity than usual. One of the local haunts has the entire weekend all planned out with specials: Friday is Cinco de Mayo Eve, Saturday the BIG DAY ITSELF, and Sunday they are featuring the Cinco de Mayo Recovery Brunch.

FUN FACT: Did you know that California was named after a beautiful Amazon Queen named Califa, who ruled a rich empire where the only metal was gold.....

Being a native Californian, I am proud to say that Mexico's heritage is an integral part of not only our local culture but of our consciousness itself. I never really realized it until I moved away for the first time. I would always crave Mexican food whenever I left to go on vacation to somewhere like the UK, where, even if they did have a Mexican restaurant that actually stayed in business longer than a month, it didn't really mean they knew what they were doing. My first stop whenever I returned was to go immediately to the closest Mexican haven and get my fix. Ahhhh Carnitas! Margaritas! I'm home at last!

But then I moved to some heathen communities back in New England, (no offense people, I'm just a desert/Pacific Gal), where there just wasn't the abundance of not only wonderful Mexican restaurants on every corner, but when the odd one was found, the gracious Latino personnel were missing. It just wasn't the same! I missed my fine Latino men smiling as they purred "Si Senorita" to me after I requested my margarita on the rocks with salt. And don't even get me started on the kitchen staff! HELLO! Do you even know what a serrano or habanera is?

I do admit, one of the best Mexican Restaurants I've ever been to was actually in BAAAHSTIN. Seriously. I am happy to say it is still there - I just found it on the web! Casa Romero. They have some of the best Mexican food on the PLANET! Their Grilled Filet Mignon with Chipotle Peppers and Tomatillos and finished with Melted Cheese is absolutely "wicked-good".   Add some Mole sauce on the side - ooooh! It's a divine experience! Senor Romero left his beloved Southwest and took pity upon the citizens of Boston, opening his hideaway in a basement in the Back Bay. Lucky for them, he did. Unfortunately, I only lived there for nine months.

Then came my first Cinco de Mayo. I had moved to Connecticut by then and was trying to get a group together to go to the closest (at the time) Mexican restaurant which happened to be in Middletown, about 30 minutes south of Hartford. They all thought I was insane! What? Cinco huh? What the hell are you talking about? The three friends I managed to coerce into joining me wanted to kick my ass. I had figured, oh so incorrectly, that since this place was about the only Mexican place within a 50 mile radius, that it would be PACKED considering what night it was. "We need to get there early!" I said, "So we don't have to wait!" We wouldn't have had to wait for a table even if we had come with fifty people.

Ah well.   I am home now. Back in the land of Calle, Mesa, and Via street signs. Back where bougainvillea blooms everywhere in its vibant, almost neon brilliance. Back where chips and salsa, and even sometimes freshly made warm tortillas, are as free flowing and inexpensive as water, and a gracious people know how to host.

A shot of Chinaco Anejo for everyone!