Downtown restaurant impresses
Critic's Corner
Lauren Bear
Issue date: 3/4/10 Section: Features
I ate at Rio Picante, located at 203 W. Second St., for the first time last Thursday and was blown away by the Mexican cuisine and rich atmosphere.
I am very particular about Mexican rice, and I do not like for it to look or taste like it came from the freezer. Rio Picante's rice was excellent, as was their queso dip and salsa.
Most Mexican restaurants charge about $5 for a small bowl of queso, but Rio gave a generous portion for about the same price.
The restaurant looks very classy and cute from the inside and out. This is not something I expected from a downtown Mexican restaurant. The doors and walls are mostly made up of windows, so one has a great view of the downtown "hustle and bustle."
For a downtown restaurant, I also thought the restaurant was very spacious, and the tables were not arranged too close together.
Also, the bar was decorated with hanging white Christmas lights which added a cabana look.
Rio Picante's service was also impressive. The server came back many times, almost too many, to ask if we needed anything. However, at many restaurants the server is hardly seen so I can't complain.
Recently, I have been making trips to Hamilton Place to eat at El Meson because I prefer their Mexican food over Mexican restaurants in north Chattanooga.
I am very excited I have found a delicious, nice Mexican restaurant close to the downtown area. I do not think I will be making special trips to El Meson any longer.
I am very particular about Mexican rice, and I do not like for it to look or taste like it came from the freezer. Rio Picante's rice was excellent, as was their queso dip and salsa.
Most Mexican restaurants charge about $5 for a small bowl of queso, but Rio gave a generous portion for about the same price.
The restaurant looks very classy and cute from the inside and out. This is not something I expected from a downtown Mexican restaurant. The doors and walls are mostly made up of windows, so one has a great view of the downtown "hustle and bustle."
For a downtown restaurant, I also thought the restaurant was very spacious, and the tables were not arranged too close together.
Also, the bar was decorated with hanging white Christmas lights which added a cabana look.
Rio Picante's service was also impressive. The server came back many times, almost too many, to ask if we needed anything. However, at many restaurants the server is hardly seen so I can't complain.
Recently, I have been making trips to Hamilton Place to eat at El Meson because I prefer their Mexican food over Mexican restaurants in north Chattanooga.
I am very excited I have found a delicious, nice Mexican restaurant close to the downtown area. I do not think I will be making special trips to El Meson any longer.
