Mexican cuisine sets new standards

Right off the bat, I want to state that I find it hard to write reviews for places that I'm really in love with. It's easy enough to bad-mouth a restaurant, but putting my finger on exactly why one restaurant deserves five stars presents me with a challenge.

Let me set everyone straight: If you go to Casa de Cobre expecting a taqueria, then you're going to be one of those people who gripes about not being able to order a chimichanga or that you have to pay for chips and salsa. 

Casa de Cobre, located in quaint downtown Saratoga, prides itself on fresh ingredients, hand-made tortillas and fresh spins on authentic dishes. As someone who doesn’t dine outside of Taco Bell, Chipotle and the every-so-often generic taqueria, I might seem like I don’t know what “authentic” Mexican food is. However, once I got my food, I could tell their carnitas and salsas were definitely authentic just by their appearance.

The best part about Casa de Cobre is that all the dishes are surprising. There are no sides of rice and beans, few dishes come with side tortillas, and there are no burritos to speak of. Instead, each dish consists of a center piece of beautifully prepared meat with accessories that support the flavor.

The environment is easy: open-air floor plan inside with nice art and décor and a real attention to the Mexican palette: blues, yellows, reds—the colors of sun and ease. There is also spacious outdoor seating which is clearly not an afterthought. Both areas are clean and well-maintained, with room between tables and comfortable chairs.

The service and staff are responsive, nice and informed about the menu, which is, by the way, extensive. My waitress was kind and patient as I struggled to pronounce the dishes. I never had to raise my hand and she would always check up on me to see how my meal was. Waitresses who aim to make your dining experience the best it can be are rare nowadays.

Although Casa de Cobre is slighty pricey, you cannot compare this restaurant to your average taqueria or go-to burrito proprietor. A friend and I paid about $40 for dinner, which wasn’t bad at all. The price you pay is for the quality of ingredients and the time it takes to make fresh made-to-order dishes and drinks. I'd gladly shell out a few extra pesos to have my chips come out fresh and paired with my own personal fork-smashed order of guacamole, or even just to experience the fun of people-watching from their patio right on Big Basin Way. 

This place is well worth the bucks and now my personal favorite when I'm in the mood for real Mexican food.

Casa de Cobre is a great break from "traditional" American Mexican Restaurants with all of the flavor and atmosphere you expect from downtown Saratoga.