By Patty Talahongva

    Tucked away in the northwest corner of a strip mall at 16th Street and Glendale is San Gabriel Mexican CafÈ, offering an upscale and delectable twist to traditional Mexican dishes.

    Since it opened its doors at the first of the year the restaurant has been doing brisk business. Perhaps it’s the Happy Hour that is offered each day from 3 to 6 p.m. with $4.50 margaritas, $2.50 beers and half-priced appetizers including bacon-wrapped grilled shrimp, crab cakes, sweet corn tamales, and the “Build Your Own Guacamole.”

    “You can make it exactly how you like it,” says Karen Aylward, director of marketing. Guests select the items from a list of ingredients that even include dried cranberries. The customized guacamole is just $7, or $6 during lunch.

 

Other items on the newly introduced lunch menu include two chicken or cheese enchiladas for $7.50, three taquitos for $8, and a chicken or steak taco salad for $9.

    Come right when the restaurant opens at 11 a.m. and enjoy three special “brunch” menu items: chorizo and eggs, breakfasts burritos, or huevos rancheros.

    Aylward says the Molcajetes remains a favorite on the dinner menu. It’s made with three different kinds of chili in the salsa, Mexican cheese and you can order it with steak, chicken or shrimp. Other popular items are the grilled fish tacos and chicken taquitos, she says. Entrees are priced from $9 to $19. Chef Josh Cordova has been with the company since 2008, and knows the fine art of adding tang and spice without burning the taste buds into the ground.

    You’ll find that same balance behind the bar, with margaritas that pack a punch but still offer that sweet and sour combination that makes them so refreshing on a hot summer night. There are several varieties of tequila on the menu to try as well. The wine selection also is extensive with bottles priced at $20 and glasses at $6.

    Josh James, the new general manager who came on board last month, came from the trendy AZ 88, and its sister eatery Annie’s Steak and Pasta Company, in Scottsdale. Besides now being just minutes from his North Central home and back in the area where he grew up, James likes the combination of flavor and affordability at San Gabriel. “The food is really terrific and the owners are great,” he says, adding that they really want to make it a favorite spot for the locals.

    The atmosphere is lively, with plenty of space between the tables and booths. Dr. John Kapoor owns the restaurant, as he did the previous one Bombay Spice. He kept some aspects of the sleek interior designs that are not normally associated with Mexican food restaurants such as the backlit wine bar. “It’s just so beautiful,” says Aylward. “We wanted to keep that.”

    The restaurant also features a bench seat along one wall with tables for two or four, and a “group” table in the center that can seat 8 or more. Guests also can enjoy Happy Hour or dinner on the patio with their pets. The pet-friendly environment is a new addition to the space. Also growing in popularity is the live music on Friday nights.

    “We are grateful for our loyal customers who come back all the time,” says Aylward. “We get new guests daily and we receive a lot of positive feedback on our food and staff online.”

    The entire menu is featured at: www.sangabrielaz.com. If you have a special event San Gabriel’s is happy to cater it for you. Tech-savvy patrons can join the restaurant’s blog, or follow them on Facebook and Twitter. The Web site even features recipes.

    San Gabriel’s is open 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. -10 p.m. Friday & Saturday. For more information or for reservations (recommended for groups of 5 or more), call 602-371-0111,