Can't I enjoy the Cantina?

Since I first heard of its Nashville opening in the Gulch, I have had Cantina Laredo at the top of my "must try" list. (It was excluded from the monthly work dinner by virtue of the fact that it's Dallas-based, not a Nashville original.) But I had yet to find a good excuse to go, as if I really needed one. Last week, I finally had my good excuse--a blind date. A perfectly planned evening beginning at Cantina Laredo and ending in a reputable live music venue. Well, apparently we weren't the only ones with this plan. We were promptly told (in a slightly condescending way) that there was a 60-minute wait. (Instead, my date was relocated to Sambuca, which was a fabulous dining experience worthy of its own separate entry.)

After an unfortunate kitchen accident left my dinner plans in ruins, I found myself again in the revolving glass entrance into Cantina Laredo. While I had high expectations for the experience as much as the meal, I have to say that the experience left much to be desired. The meal, what I was able to eat of it in the time I was allotted by the wait staff, was enjoyable. We were promptly seated and served (no hour-long wait on a Sunday evening!) and started with a round of margaritas (but unfortunately only had time for 1 before the bartender made last call). Then we indulged in the Top Shelf Guacamole, made fresh at the table. If you are at all a fan of guac, you simply must have this! While more expensive than your standard Las Palmas-style dip, it was absolutely worth it. And it feeds up to 4 people, at least according to the menu.

The Cilantro Chicken Salad (developed by one of the Nashville chefs and now served at all 30 locations) was hearty but light and was the perfect way to end a weekend full of heavy holiday eating. The mole sauce on the Enchiladas de Mole was also fabulous; but you have to be prepared to enjoy it. It's dark and rich and an acquired taste. If you're already a fan, though, try this one.

So yes, the food was good and the company  better, but the waiter was, well...bad. It was obvious that we were interrupting their plans to close and go home. Because there were other patrons when we first walked in, we were initially treated like normal customers. But as the crowd thinned, I started to feel rushed by our waiter. He started vacuuming right under our feet (and commenting on its poor performance), pulled the plates away before we were really finished, and hovered awkwardly. And then, since the restaurant was virtually empty and the Christmas music suddenly seemed loud, he made comments on how much he hated the music, and--I kid you not--said "Bah Humbug!" as he placed our check on the table. Honestly, the man said Bah Humbug! 

I  want to give Cantina Laredo a second chance. I want to sit and leisurely sip a margarita and truly enjoy the guacamole. I don't want to be pressured into eating fast or hating the music. I want to enjoy the experience. So now I'm looking for another good excuse to go back but clearly not late on a Sunday evening. 

Until then, Feliz Navidad  and buen apetito!