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culinary travel with a side of heart healthy recipes and libations

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EL MATADOR CANTINA

October 25 by Priscilla 2 Comments

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This month’s BlogCrush “meeting” was my third and they keep getting better and better – or maybe its because I know more people so I feel more comfortable.  We were hosted by El Matador Cantina in Fullerton who had cleared their lounge area and set up long tables for us.  This arrangement was perfect because it seated us all together and no one was left standing or sitting alone if they didn’t know anyone.  We were also able to go around the table and introduce ourselves and say a little about what we blog about which is a great icebreaker and puts new bloggers more at ease.


The restaurant offered three of their unique libations for $5 and treated us to a wonderful sampling of their innovative Southwestern cuisine.

The libation I chose to imbibe was the luscious Mango Dulce (right).


Co-owner Rob Hallstrom and Chef Dave Dennis took the time to talk personally with our giddy group and reveal their future plans for the restaurant and the nuances of the flavorful dishes we were sampling.  Chef Dennis even offered to prepare a selection from the menu that we wanted to try.  I suggested the Chile Relleno because long ago, as an emerging foodie, I read that the quality of a  Mexican or Southwestern restaurants could be determined by their chile relleno.  Munching mammas mouths full of Queso Fundido and Cantina Eggrolls, nodded in agreement.

The Chile Relleno was a study in contrasts:  the colorful crunchy crust of crushed red & yellow tortilla chips against the velvety cheese and piquant tomatillo avocado salsa was savored with enthusiasm (see
more photos of the evening taken by Kara Noel and Hot Hubby). Blog Crush is not limited to the ladies – but this particular evening was noticeably lacking a male contingent – maybe it was the Angel game – so guys, you missed out! But at least the Angels WON and go back to Yankee land to battle it out in Game 6.


Can’t forget the delectable desserts that ended the evening:  the moist pumpkin cake celebrated autumn so deliciously and a cookie and ice cream lover’s delight called Cookie Fundido.

Photos courtesy of El Matador.

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Category Restaurants Tags Blog Crush| El Matador Cantina

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Comments

  1. Alan De Herrera

    November 13 at 10:10 am

    Great post! I’m the photographer who shot the dessert and drink photo. I’ll follow you guys on twitter. Great web site!
    .-= Alan De Herrera´s last blog ..Orange County Food Photographer | Los Angeles Food Photographer =-.

    Reply
    • admin

      November 14 at 2:00 pm

      Thanks for the compliment and for visiting my website – come back often! Rob and Dave were gracious hosts and provided all of us with a press packet and, of course, the food was phenomenal!

      Reply

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