Carmelita's in Laguna Beach

When my wife says she wants to try a new place, I want to try a new place. Except yesterday I didn't really want to try a new place; I just wanted to start off our weekend away right by doing what she suggested. She had heard fun things about about Carmelita's in Laguna, so after getting as lucky as one can be finding parking in Laguna (a space opened right in front of the restaurant just as I turned - sign #1 we were on to something), we embarked upon a Mexican fiesta I won't soon forget (in a good way).

The first sign of a good Mexicsn restaurant is when the chips and salsa reflect something special. The homemade beans that came with the chips, the perfectly salted chips themselves, and the fresh, heat-laced salsa all told me we were on the right track.Ordering is tough when you are choosing between the Mar Y Tierra (center cut filet with lobster chile relleno), and the Tampiquena (skirt steak with habanero onions), and the pollo chipotle (jidori chicken with portobello mushroom and chipotle sauce), and the chili verde with prime Berkshire pork. I went with the latter, and, well, tell me if YOU think I liked it ...

.Perfectly seasoned, great portion, and a side of rice and fat-laden beans that will make your mouth water.Joleen went the carnitas which had the perfect mix of crispy but flavored.I enjoyed 1.5 meals, she enjoyed 0.5 meals, and I can honestly say that I found my new favorite Mexican restaurant in Orange County.