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WEST NEWSMAGAZINE November 3. 2004
Espinos Mexican Bar & Grill Offers A Different Style Of Mexican Fare
BY SUE HORNOF |
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Before the owners of Espinos Mexican Bar & Grill opened for business last May, they knew they had done a lot of things right. They wanted their restaurant to have the look and feel of a Mexican village, so they designed it and did much of the building themselves. They wanted to offer a fresh alternative to typical St. Louis Mexican fare, so they developed a menu that features innovative, homemade dishes prepared with quality ingredients.
Even though the owners, who are family, knew they always would be onsite to tend to their business, they hired a highly qualified and talented team to support them. But Roseann Espino, who owns the restaurant with her husband, Artemio, and her brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Nicole Scognamiglio, said one of the best moves they made was locating Espinos in Chesterfield Valley.
I don't have the words to express the way I feel about the clientele here," Espino said. They are just very genuine and down-to-earth."
Customers are no doubt favorably impressed by a number of things about Espinos. While its menu does contain some authentic Mexican items (the tortilla chips, pollo con mole and authentic Mexican enchiladas, to name a few) Espinos does not aim or claim to be an "authentic Mexican restaurant" simply because many St. Louisans do not care for the "real deal." Instead, they simply have committed themselves to serving a nice variety of creative Mexican foods that are freshly prepared and consistently good. |
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"Everything is fresh and home made," Espino said. "We use all imported cheeses. We have no ground beef, no cheddar cheese and no microwave. The only thing we buy premade is the poppers, but we do them with a strawberry jalapeno cream sauce." The menu contains a generous selection of appetizers, soups, |
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salads, entrees and desserts, with house favorites designated as such. A soup of the day, dessert of the day and gourmet coffee of the day always are featured. A weekday lunch menu and a kids' menu also are offered.
Espinos has a decidedly family owned-and-operated feel, thanks in large part to the warm and welcoming demeanor of the owners and their staff. It is not unusual for Artemio to whip up one of his homemade desserts and bring out samples for guests to try. Customers there for happy hour are apt to be presented with a plate of freshly prepared appetizers compliments of the chef.
Espinos' well stocked cantina features Spanish only wines by the bottle or glass, homemade sangria, 18 brands of beer and 28 flavors of tequila, plus tequila flights. Margarita lovers will not be disappointed with the full range of choices.
Our house margarita is what most places serve as top shelf, and our mango margaritas are a big hit, too, Espino said.
Live entertainment in the form of jazz and light rock is featured from 7 to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Copyright 2004 West Media, Inc. |
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Espinos Mexican bar & grill |
