Sinigual - Just a Bitter Sweet Memory Now

I am wiping the tears off my keyboard as I write this posting. The only thing that gets me out of bed and into work is the thought of my new brown riding boots (they are very Betty Draper).

My boss, and one of the Chain of Food Board members did an unthinkable thing to me. He quit!

Not cool dude, not cool at all. Who else will leave me sick in a sketchy South Beach Hotel so he can dine in luxury at Nobu or literally kick me out of a car my first time in LA so he doesn't miss a second of the Boston - Lakers Championship game.

Before he deserted me we dined at a chain. A new chain in fact! It is called Sinigual and is located in the heart of mid-town Manhattan.

I have been dying to try this place ever since I saw it being built. Then when I was in LA and I passed one I almost lost control. Sinigual, that restaurant I have been passing everday is a chain I said to myself. No way!!!! What a lucky little duck in brown riding boots I am.

Sinigual is a contemporary mexican restaurant that can easily be compared to Dos Caminos or Rosa Mexicana. The atmosphere is lively and not as dark as Dos Caminos.

To start the meal I of course got a margarita. Princess loves herself some margaritas. The one I got was some sort of grapefruit one. I really liked it. My ex boss was not as happy with his marg. It was small and full of ice and expensive. I did not care about the price.

Then we got guacamole, spicy! It was really good. What I loved the most is that they give you warm soft tortillas as well as chips. Daddy dawg would tell you that the soft tortillas are way more authentic. The chips were also good. Ex boss even let me have the red ones (he equated them to red states - very smart). For my entree I got the Chipotle Barbecue Shrimp and was really happy. It was nice large shrimp with rice and crispy plantains. I enjoyed that they put the plantains. It was a nice touch. Other things on the large menu that caught my eye were the Steak Fajitas, Steak and Shrimp Skewers, Grilled Fajita Salad and a Chicken in an Orange Sauce. The menu was quite good, so I would love to dine here again. I did not get dessert because I figured I would just drink margaritas as my dessert.

This place is lovely and a welcome addition to mid-town east. The only thing that might make it better is if they hire Billy Bingo from Austin, TX to sing in the restaurant.