A Veggie Tamale with Hearts of Palm Salad at Pacifico

is much more than your ordinary Mexican restuarant, and I didn't know this until I finally decided to eat there. My friend said the guacamole was especially good, and it was, but in comparison to my dinner, it was just plain old guac.

Sure, tacos and enchiladas are on the menu. But so are other more ingenious options like Veracruz crabcakes with chile relleno and green chili rice, mussels and chorizo steamed in beer and veggie tamele with hearts of palm salad and black bean chilaquiles.

The tamale was tangy and slightly sweet, and the veggies inside warm and flavorful. And the plate was brimming with flavors that all meshed together to create a smorgasbord of culinary delight. Tortilla chips with cheese and black beans served as the background to the tamale and the side salad, one i'd never heard of but am so glad to have been introduced to: the Mexican hearts of palm salad.

Hearts of palm taste a little like asparagus and have a delightfully soft texture. In this side salad, they were mixed with bits of carrot and cabbage and dressed lightly in a warm vinaigrette.

Pacifico is worth a visit. Oh, and the margaritas are pretty good too - made with fresh lime juice.