We are seldom Mr. and Mrs. First Nighter anymore, in fact, we prefer for the dust to settle on a new establishment.  We also seldom go out, when everyone, including the amateurs think that they need to go out and drink.  We have been there and done that, and the service usually is less than adequate.  So, we thought that we would kill two birds with one stone, as the saying goes.  We went out on “May the Fourth be With You” and I made a meme for it, a couple of years ago, not really original, but we had seen an exhibit on the props and costumes of all things “Star Wars.”

We were also looking for a new replacement for our local Mexican restaurant, as ours weakened the Margaritas, and changed the menu to more “Tex-Mex” and the biggest sin was that they discontinued their Molé Sauce, and no, this new place doesn’t offer it either.  Maya Cocina Mexicana opened their doors on 17 August 2020, a most inopportune time, but they survived despite our harridan.  Well, we decided it was time and when I made a reservation, they asked that we do not bring children under thirteen for dinner, which was not a problem, as even most of our grandchildren are now in college.  The first thing we noticed is that they don’t automatically toss a basket of chips and salsa at you.  We shared an order of Guacamole and House-made Chips and we both marveled at how crisp and un-greasy they were, as well as their distinctive size and shape.  My Bride had a special entrée of grilled Mahi-Mahi with grilled Pineapple, white rice steeped in chicken broth, zucchini with street corn and a Pineapple Salsa.  Her dish was cooked to perfection and moist.  I had an order of Alambre de Asada which was thin-cut Angus short ribs grilled with bacon, onions, Poblano peppers, in a skillet with Manchego cheese (my substitution) with corn tortillas and a Jalapeno Sauce.  I was expecting a potentially greasy presentation and I was very pleasantly surprised.  We shared a dessert of Pastel de Cocoa, a house-made flourless chocolate cake on a bed of Raspberry Sauce with Whipped Cream.  Our only fault for the evening was they couldn’t make us any Decaffeinated Spanish Coffee; it looked like their coffee equipment was down for the evening.

My Bride started off with a Silver Margarita made with El Mayor Tequila Blanco, Cornbier Orange Liqueur, and fresh Lime Juice.  I asked for the House Margarita, and be careful of what you ask for; it was made with Don Julio Tequila Reposado Private Cask, Grand Marnier, Dry Curacao, organic blue agave nectar and fresh Lime Juice.  They both came in classic cocktail glasses and it was more than enough.  In fact, we couldn’t have a second, they were that potent.  We switched over and shared a split of Terra Alpina by Alois Lageder Pinot Grigio Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT 2020 from the Alto Adige region in northern Italy.  Alois Lageder is a reknowned wine producer from the Alto Adige region and the winery was established in 1823 and has been family owned ever since.  The winery has one-hundred-ten hectares of vineyards spread across the region.  The top wines are from their “Masterpieces” series, followed by their “Compositions” and then some classical grape varieties.  Then they have Terra Alpina and the fruit is harvested from partner-growers in the area.  Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT designation is basically from the Trentino-Alto Adige region with a bit in the Veneto district as well and is named for the Dolomite Mountain range which is the main range. The IGT was introduced in Italy in 1997 and for this region covers red, white, rosé, blend, varietal, dry, still, sparkling, and sweet wines.  The majority of the white wines are from Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay, this was a charming and easy drinking Pinot Grigio that had some character and a nice finish.  It is a mountain wine on a limestone soil that sees a large swing in temperatures from morning to night.  The vines are between thirteen and thirty-three years of age.  It has Initial Fermentation and then matures for four months on fine lees in Stainless Steel tanks.  A nice straw-yellow colored wine that offered notes of white stone fruits and toasted hazelnuts.  On the palate tones of pear, lemon zest, and nuts with some crisp acidity and a nice finish of fruit.