We're not exactly sure where the restaurant name originated, but this past Sunday we decided to try Mono Loco for a dinner with Cuban flair. Fall had arrived, there was a slight chill in the air and the pink stucco walls and tents draped with white bubble lights looked enticing.
We decided to eat outside, seeing that it was nice out and there was only a slight breeze. There were 18 tables in all, a mixture of high and low top tables all under intermingling umbrellas covered in the pearl-shaped lights. Ivy vines draped through the lights and tents, creating a nice atmosphere for our dinner.
There also was upbeat, rhythmic Cuban music playing that set the scene and made us literally tango in our seats.
In our most expert opinion, it is illegal to go to a Cuban or Mexican restaurant without ordering chips and salsa as an appetizer.
While this is a pretty standard appetizer, Mono Loco spiced things up with regular salsa and salsa verde -- tomatilla salsa -- adding a bit of a kick. Despite the option of the two, Mono Loco's traditional red salsa proved to be top notch.
The chips were fresh out of the oven and laying on the outside of the plate were thicker chips -- baked flour tortillas that seemed to be a mixture of texture between bread and the regular tortilla chip. The appetizer went quickly as we chatted and sipped our tart, yet delicious, limeades.
Daniel was of the "of the day" mentality and ordered both the soup of the day and the quesadilla of the day. The soup was a chicken and rice base mixed with a plethora of vegetables -- carrots, tomatoes, zucchini and potatoes. It was the perfect temperature, not hot enough to burn the tongue, but hot enough to warm the body as the night air grew a bit chillier. The soup also had some zip; a little kick, which is to be expected from Cuban cuisine. Also, the bowl of soup was very generous for the very inexpensive price of $5.
Daniel then ordered the quesadilla of the day, which was swordfish for $10. The fish was cooked to perfection, tender and fresh -?lacking any kind of unpleasant fish-odor that would signal old product. The quesadilla contained the standard ingredients along with the swordfish -- cheese, green peppers and onions. The only complaint he had was that the quesadilla was a bit greasy, but the healthy side salad cancelled out such grease.
Each entree is accompanied by a small spinach salad with a few mixed vegetables, the perfect complement to whatever is on your main plate. Each salad is topped with Mono Loco's signature Asian dressing and finished with a dash of sesame seeds. It was refreshing and added a different element to each entree.
Next, we ordered the chicken and green Chile burrito ($11). It was a rather large burrito, topped with both varieties of salsa (red and green) and drizzled with a zesty white sauce. It was stuffed with rice, chicken and beans, a bit messy and hard to conquer, but the mess had no effect on its tastiness.
It was spicy, but the limeade was ready and waiting to relieve a hot mouth. The side salad also accompanied the burrito and was a nice touch and much better than a side of rice or beans that would normally be found next to any burrito.
Yet, the hit of the meal was at the end in our selection for dessert -- Bananas Castros ($5). Bananas Castros is a large dish filled with hot bananas and vanilla ice cream. By the time it reaches the table the bananas have melted the ice cream into a soupy dish, but this just makes the dish even more incredible.
On the sides of the dish are slender sticks of fried bread covered in a cinnamon coating. When we dipped the sticks into the ice cream and then added a banana to the top it seemed like we had found heaven on earth.
Okay, maybe not, but we were finding room in our stomachs which were very much full already -- and loving it. We cleaned the plate.
The wait staff was very attentive to our limeade refills and knowledgeable while answering our questions concerning the Asian dressing or special sauces garnishing each dish. One complaint we had, however, dealt with Mono Loco's menu.
Over the past restaurant reviews, we have been, at times, overwhelmed at the menu, filled with a variety of entree options. However, at Mono Loco, the entree list seemed a bit lacking. While we thoroughly enjoyed the swordfish quesadilla and the Chicken and green Chile burrito, we had hoped to see a bit more diversity on the menu.
Still, we have heard that Mono Loco is an amazing place for brunch, so perhaps we should come back for a second go-round to see what more the menu has to offer.
It may not be crazy. And there might be a lack of monkeys swinging from the trees above the outdoor seating, but Mono Loco definitely has the right kind of something to offer -- a very decent meal at an affordable price.
It has a great, relaxed outdoor eating area, and on an early fall Sunday night, surrounded by chips and salsa, limeade and good friends, we think it's a must hit for all restaurant-goers.
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