Reviews: The Winter 2008 Style Manitoba

« Back to Reviews

Mexican Mecca

Hidden in the Exchange District is a Mexican Mecca. Say hola to Don Pedro's Authentic Mexican Grill, a playful conglomerate of memorabilia, vibrant colour, mosaic detailing, and contemporary touches.

Margaritas at Don Pedro's are rated best in Canada according to EnRoute Magazine, and are made from fresh-squeezed lime or fresh strawberries. Both are guaranteed to calibrate the taste buds.

Appetizers include crispy hand-rolled taquitos to sopa Azteca, a spiced tomato and corn tortilla soup with avocado and cheese. Queso Fundido sizzles in a cast-iron skillet of fresh roasted peppers, onions and tomatoes blanketed with rich cheese and served with soft flour tortillas. And resting upon spiced Mexican rice are Tequila Drunken Shrimp, a zesty preparation of shrimp and roasted Peppers splashed with Jose Cuervo Tequila Sauce.

Mains are rice, bean, and tortilla-based with the likes of tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and fajitas. Two North Mexican dishes – Chimichanga de Pollo and Carne Asada – are indulgent and bursting with authentic flavour.

 

Chimichanga de Pollo loads a crisp deep-fried burrito with shredded chicken, rice, and refried beans. Topped and baked with cheese and Pedro's Red sauce, this plate is rich and filling. A sweet accent is added with Alegrias, a popular Mexican cocktail of iced Melon Tequila and lemon-lime soda.

A Don Pedro specialty, Carne Asada, features thinly sliced grilled steak with smooth guacamole, cool sour cream, flour tortillas, and Pico de Gallo, a condiment of chopped tomato, onion, and chillies. Washing down this distinct dish is a spicy but quenching salted pint of Michelada, a concoction of beer, limejuice, and Worchester and Tabasco dashes.

Don Pedro's desserts are a vanilla-filled finish. Deep-fried ice cream is a comforting bowl of ice cream coated in a rich and crunchy sweet breading. But our favourite is the Flan, or Mexican Crème Caramel. This French-derived specialty is a light and fluffy moulded custard drenched in caramel sauce and garnished with fresh mint and whipped cream.