There is a really cute restaurant in Atlanta that I had dinner at with friends – Bartaco. It is located in a cute area with lots of trendy restaurants and shops. The best part is our Uber driver actually suggested it to us.
This was not a typical Mexican restaurant. It was a fusion of Mexican and a hint of Japanese influence. Everything came in small dishes or bites so you could order a lot to share.
Since we were there to have a fun time, we all got a cocktail. I went with the red sangria. It was slightly sweet and had a slight taste of allspice. It was loaded with chopped up apples and peaches. I just wish it did not have so much ice.
The table started off with the guac+roja+verde. The guacamole was really fresh. There were nice chunks of avocado throughout. The roja salsa had a major kick of heat. I was not expecting that. The verde salsa had a fresh feeling that was full of flavor, no heat with this one. They served full size round tortilla chips. They were like flat taco shells.
I ordered their chicken soup. This was not a chicken tortilla soup. This was a classic, hearty chicken soup. The broth had a wonderful savory flavor. It was loaded with shredded chicken, pieces of potato, and fresh corn, right off the cob.
I did order a taco (which they have several options). I went for the Baja fish. It was the perfect size for a few bites. The fresh fish was cut into strips and lightly breaded. They fired it up until crispy. On top of the fish they served a cole slaw that added a super crunch. There was also a slight sour taste to the slaw that complemented the sweetness of the fish and the tortilla shell.
I was so excited to order a side of the grilled corn. Two cobs came out and were covered in cayenne pepper and cotija cheese. The corn itself was super sweet. The cayenne did not really add any heat. The cotija cheese added a lot of tanginess, which paired perfectly with the sweetness from the corn.
We could not pass up dessert. We shared a few around the table. The churros were amazing. These were fresh made and were piping hot when they came to the table. They were covered in sugar. The first bite was like WOW! I could have eaten a dozen of these. The cinnamon and sugar encompassed every inch of the churro. They were also accompanied by a chocolate sauce. I tried it with the churro and it was good, however, this churro was perfect just with the sugar and cinnamon.
The second dessert was the key lime pie. They served this in a jar which was a unique presentation. I really liked seeing the layers of the pie with the graham cracker crust at the bottom. The key lime filled most of the jar. It was extremely smooth and creamy with the best tart, tangy flavor. They topped off the pie with fresh whipped cream that was light and fluffy.
The last dessert out was the horchata. This is like custard. It was really creamy and sweet. It was topped with a salted caramel sauce. The first taste of the sauce was bitter. But once I went back for a second taste that bitterness went away.
Bartaco was amazing. I am so glad that our Uber driver suggested it and that we listened to him. I would recommend everyone check them out. One side note is they are a cashless restaurant so make sure you take a credit or debit card.
Check out all their wonderful food options at www.bartaco.com
Enjoy!
T
