Long-time readers of this blog know that there are few things I like as much as being able to loll away the summer sitting outside at one of our fine restaurants in Forest Hills with a brew or otherwise refreshing drink in hand and some tasty vittles to munch on. Well, recently, I had the chance to right a nagging wrong by FINALLY getting myself to our newest Mexican restaurant, El Coyote, located on the upper floor of that two story structure on Austin St. that is also home to Agora Taverna.
I was seated outside on their "deck" overlooking the hustle and bustle of Austin Street. My experience at El Coyote opened in a decidedly disappointing way. The good news, however, is it all went uphill—and very, very uphill, I might add—from there.
The disappointment came in the form of stale-tasting tortilla chips I was served when I sat down with my just-passable salsa. And I mean these chips were stale, chewy, and old. And I was not happy.
I trekked on, however, and ordered the guacamole, which I had heard is quite good at El Coyote, and of course the requisite margarita on the rocks with salt.
Things started to look up quickly. The guacamole, which is made at your table in Rosa Mexicano fashion, I ordered "medium spicy" and came just that way, with just a hint of kick to it, and it was delicious—up there with the best guac I've had anywhere. They refreshed my chips with it, and they were fresh, finally. They also refreshed my salsa. I don't know if this was a bad day there for salsa, but I wasn't a fan of their's. Too smokey, too garlicky, not enough tomato-ey sweetness for my liking.
Things continued to look up. The margarita was perfect. And then my main course, the Combo Mexicano which I ordered with chicken taco, enchilada and burrito ($12.95) was fresh and superbly done. The included towering side rice and beans, splendid.
The service was attentive and pleasant. Overall, I think Forest Hills has another excellent option for Mexican food. I'll chalk up the disappointing salsa and chips experience to a bad day, and hope that doesn't happen again. But the rest of the experience, plus my relaxing time spent sipping my refreshing margarita on their sunny outside patio way above the hustle and bustle of Forest Hills makes me give El Coyote a big shiny grade of A.
(Oh, and tuck this little number away fellow Forest Hillers: (718) 268-0777 That's El Coyote's phone number and guess what, this baby delivers unlike somebody else I know! )
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| El Coyote is located on the top floor of that two-story structure on Austin Street where Garcia's used to be |
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| Add points for the eccentric decor! We need more eccentricity here in The Hills! |
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| The view from my perch of bustling Austin Street |
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| Guacamole, made to order and delicious! Memorably good! |
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| Excellent entrees! |
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| No complaints about the rice and beans. |
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| The outside deck could be a little nicer, but who's complaining? I'm freakin' outside! |
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| The disappointing salsa and chips, made tolerable by, what else, a margarita! |
