but it gave me the chance to try old favorites with some friends...
in this case, MFH (Mi Firme Heina) and La Ley, along with TC. MFH chose our lunch destination. In fact, I was with her during my first visit years ago. She and her husband know the owners and she was excited to show us that they had expanded their dining area. They bought the space next door and now the restaurant is twice as big. There is also an outdoor patio.
The new space as you walk in to your right...
View of the older space while sitting in the newer area. According to MFH, the owner, Oscar, changes up the artwork and decor every so often.
Their menu (click here to see the entire menu):
Chips were brought out with two sauces, a creamy serrano sauce (it was spicy!) and a red salsa:
Our four entrees:
MFH's tri color enchiladas (not sure of the price; I couldn't find it on the menu) - each with its own mole sauce. The fillings were also different - chicken, pork and beef. The sauces were pumpkin, walnut and mole. All of our entrees came with rice, beans, and salad (except mine which only had rice).
TC's Camarones al mojo de ajo - Shrimp sauteed in garlic, butter and lime juice ($12.99). She really enjoyed this and I would like to try making my own version at home. It seems easy enough.
La Ley chose one of the specials on the board, the Chile Azteca ($11), a chile relleno topped with huitlacoche sauce. The filling was cheese with mashed potato, which surprised her when she asked what was in it. I tried some of the sauce and yep, I still don't like huitlacoche. It smells like dirt. The filling on the other hand was great!
My flor de calabaza quesadilla plate served with strips of nopales ($8.99). The tortillas were blue corn and were grilled a bit too "hard" for my liking. For some reasons, I was thinking the quesadilla would be softer and have more cheese. The cactus strips were an acquired taste; they tasted a bit "green" to me, but La Ley and MFH liked it.
Here are the cross sections of the enchiladas. Of the three, I liked the dark mole sauce the best. We all picked off of MFH's plate.
Dessert would be picked up at Pistachios. We were originally going to eat in there, but the tables were occupied so we thought it would be better to take the box to go and enjoy it in MFH's spacious backyard. MFH, La Ley and TC each chose a particular baklava and I just doubled it. The only piece with "one" was this squiggly syrup thing that only TC wanted. The whole box cost $11. I still think the best prices are at King of Nablus Sweets but this place is a tiny bit closer to me.
Every piece was so good, except for that syrup thing. I love how vibrantly green the pistachios are.
Previous visit to Ranas
September 2008 with MFH
Ranas Mexico City Cuisine
8683 Campo Road, Suite A
Spring Valley, CA 91977
(619) 9-1792
Previous visit to Pistachios
November 2014
I wouldn't mind coming back to Ranas AND Pistachios with Bert and TC. Oscar, the owner, was so very charming. This place is family run and owned and you can tell that they care about their customers. It was great getting together again with MFH and La Ley. We both miss MFH ever since she retired but are happy that she is enjoying retirement with her family.
2 comments:
Barf, huitlacoche! I really tried to like that stuff but I just can't do it, either. Tastes too weird to me. Those enchiladas look awesome, though. I'm really curious about that pecan enchilada I saw on the specials board! I'd totally want to eat that. I've never heard of this place before, I might need to go do some research, haha. I love those blue tortillas, too bad they weren't to your liking. Cactus isn't my favorite thing either.
Dude, we're on the same wavelength with the black corn fungus thing. maybe my palate isn't "sophisticated" enough for it, but i can't get over the dirt smell. i don't like truffles either.
their nut sauces are pretty good here. it's right off the 94, off the kenwood exit in the same shopping center as fresh & easy.
the blue tortillas may have looked nice, but they were too hard and not pleasant to eat when they cooled down.
the cactus tasted too "green".
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