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Dego Diva
Citizen
Username: Fmingione
Post Number: 402
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, May 1, 2005 - 11:20 pm: |     |
Just wanted to share my feedback on the great dinner I had at Mojave Grill in Westfield.
My husband and I love Southwestern food so we were really excited when we read about this place. We called to make reservations, but they don't take them for parties smaller than 5. However, they do allow you to phone ahead to find out how long a wait there is and to put your name on the seating list. Because of this, on a busy Saturday night, we ended up waiting only 10 minutes for our table once we got there. The waiting area was spacious with plenty of seating. It's BYOB, so some people were enjoying their wine while waiting for tables. There's a liquor store less than a block away with a good selection of beer and wine. Parking was easy - there's a lot a half block away, and more parking further down the street.
The ambience was hip but not pretentious. A decidedly Southwestern feel without dreamcatchers hanging all over the place. The crowd was mostly 30-40ish.
The food... where to begin?? It was amazingly good! We started with chips and salsa - fresh, thick, homemade chips with a generous bowl of salsa fresca that was nicely seasoned with a little kick. Then we shared a Chipotle Lime Ceasar Salad. The lime came through most in the dressing, which was just the right proportion to lettuce, with the croutons carrying the chipotle flavor. Simply the best Ceasar Salad I've had in a long long time. For dinner I had the Chipotle Flank Steak with Cilantro Whipped Potatoes, Spinach, and a Corn and Portabello Mushroom Salsa. The steak potion was generous - I just couldn't finish it. It was tender and the tasty marinade flavored it through and through.
My husband had the blackened catfish, which came with garlic mashed potatoes (which he substituted for the cilantro mashed because he envied mine). The fish sat upon a medley of corn and black beans. After one bite hubby was in heaven making audible moaning sounds. I had a bite to know what he was on about, and he was right, it had an amazing texture, crispy around the edges while moist and flaky in the middle, with a zesty zing of cajun spices.
We barely saved room for dessert, but we really wanted to try the Key Lime Pie which was on the special menu that night. (I MUST try the Kahlua bread pudding next time). The Pie had a thick custard-like lime curd with visible flecks of lime zest in it, fresh whipped cream and a thin graham cracker crust. Extremely smooth and SO D-lish! The crust was very special, unlike any other pie crust I had ever had before - I think it might have had some coconut in it.
Total bill (including tax and tip) was $75. Not what I would call cheap BUT so worth it. A nice dinner out without being too shi-shi. I would have to say that was probably the best mid-priced meal I've had in the area, with fabulous service to top it all off. If you like either southwestern, mexican or cajun food I couldn't reccomend this place enough to you. Just a fabulous meal from start to finish, and less than 20 minutes away. |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 740
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, May 1, 2005 - 11:45 pm: | |
Diva, thanks for the fabulous description of all that yummy food! My mouth is watering. Gonna have to go give it a try. Guacamole? |
phyllis
Citizen
Username: Phyllis
Post Number: 373
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 2, 2005 - 9:14 am: | |
I love Mojave Grill - have never had a bad meal there. It's a place I feel safe bringing lots of different small groups. Also great is their sister restaurant, Theresa's (Italian and also in Westfield.) |
howardf
Citizen
Username: Howardf
Post Number: 317
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 2, 2005 - 9:25 am: | |
Actually, I've had a couple of mediocre meals there. It's decent, competent, above-average fare, but nothing that consistently special.
Now Mesob in Montclair, that is different. |
Hank Zona
Supporter
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 2870
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, May 2, 2005 - 9:36 am: | |
I remember eating at Mojave Grill a number of years ago and not only did they get huffy about fielding some questions about ingredients and substitutions, I recall the menu having a line at the bottom basically saying substitutions were not welcome or appreciated. The food was OK for what it was, but the attitude wasnt...its no French Laundry or Le Bernadin. Hopefully their service standards have improved, or they have a chef with less of a chip on their shoulder, but we've never been back. |
Dego Diva
Citizen
Username: Fmingione
Post Number: 403
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 2, 2005 - 11:08 am: | |
They don't have guacamole but they have an avacado salsa that you can have with the chips, instead of salsa.
I found the service to be exceptional - friendly, prompt, answered our questions, and they did make a substitution on my husbands plate. However, the specials page does note that there are no substitutions for those particular items. |
ejillard
Citizen
Username: Ejillard
Post Number: 2
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Monday, May 2, 2005 - 3:47 pm: | |
"it's no French Laundry or Le Bernadin [sic]"? that's quite a standard to hold it to don't you think?
I had a great meal there a couple of years ago but remember chuckling about "Albuquerque crab cakes"... and wondering what kind of crab you find in New Mexico! |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 751
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 2, 2005 - 3:55 pm: | |
 Land Crab? |
Cato Nova
Citizen
Username: Cato_nova
Post Number: 606
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 2, 2005 - 4:19 pm: | |
I've had those. Itch like the devil. |
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