PALADAR, The Best Mexican EVER

So it seems that we have a new favorite restaurant in the Beachwood area! Last night we went to Paladar Latin Kitchen and Rum Bar after some shopping and had some of the best mexican food ever (and I know how the Corkscrew girls love their guacamole!)!

We found this place on the OpenTable website and decided to give it a try. It is on Chagrin Blvd, not real close to Beachwood mall, but about 5 minutes away. Again it seems like reservations have to be made about a day in advance over the phone or on this website, and it is worth it!

It was really tough to decide what we wanted because their menu is a mile long. You can order different kinds of salsas and guacamoles which come with a chip blend of Plantain, Yucca, Malanga, and Tortilla. That is why the chips look so strange in the picture. They always have a special guacamole, and tonight it was "Lemon Basil Guacamole". It was FANTASTIC! I've never really tasted anything like it, but I saved some to add to the rest of my meal it was so good. We also got an appetizer called the "Mini Braised Short Rib Soft Tacos"- Shredded Beef Short Rib served with Fresh Lime, Queso Blanco Cheese and Citrus-Carrot Slaw alongside Warm Flour Tortillas. WOW. There were 6 tiny tortillas to fill, and this could be the best thing I have ever eaten. EVER. We have already eaten a few when the picture was taken, we couldn't help it!

For his meal Matt got the "Roasted Half Chicken Mole"-Oven Roasted Half Chicken served atop Sweet Plantains, White Rice Pilaf and our Housemande Mole Sauce garnished with a Fresh Herb & Jicama Salad. He loved this, and I could have probably eaten an entire plate of the sweet plantains. I got the "Paladar's Blackened Fish Tacos"- Blackened Tilapia drizzled with Cilantro Adobo Sauce topped with a Pickled Red Onion & Pineapple Slaw and Shredded Cabbage in Warm Soft Corn Tortillas served with a side of Frijoles. These were definitely the best tacos I have ever had. Whatever was in this slaw really made the taco!

This was a GREAT place to go if you are in the mood for Mexican, but they also have burgers , sandwiches, steaks, etc.. It is also not expensive. My tacos were about $13. We had a great time!

-Michelle