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Dining Divas Head East for South of the Border Fare
BY LISA KAMPETER
Without exception, the Dining Divas picked a Mexican restaurant for our monthly outing in honor of Cinco de Mayo. We also picked a place on the Illinois side in honor of the Handicapped Diva. No, not Grandma Diva (also known as the Queen Diva) but the Colorful Diva. She has taken over Grandma’s role of the queen; however, we’re all in agreement, that task will never completely be overtaken by anyone else.
The Dining Divas enjoyed a meal at Mariachi’s II in Fairview Heights. Not trendy or unique like such popular places as Tortillaria in the Central West End or Chava’s in Soulard, Mariachi’s serves typical Mexican food the typical way. No hype. Nothing unusual.
It was our turn to make the trek to the Metro East (some traveling an hour from work to get there). The Colorful Diva always insists on joining us on the Missouri side for Dining Divas instead of us going to her. This time, the tables were turned. Unable to walk or drive as a result of foot surgery, the Divas went to her.
Grandma Diva was quick to give her advice on how to take advantage of the situation. A little training is all she’d need. First of all, she encouraged her to bring as much “equipment” as necessary to make herself comfortable, like crutches, a walker, and even a potty chair. Grandma Diva would happily delegate carriers for such equipment (not herself, of course).
She also reminded the Colorful Diva that it was completely acceptable to speak freely, even if it was incriminating or unacceptable. She could always blame it on her medication.
Grandma Diva also demanded that this Dining Divas Planner make a site visit prior to our actual dinner. I was to ensure the Colorful Diva would have a parking spot close to the door with a proper curb cut so she would not have to negotiate steps. I was also to guarantee that our table would be close to the restroom. It’s interesting how the restroom was really close to the bar.
More amazing than Grandma Diva’s queen training was her story of her day of yard work. In disbelief, we listened as she told us how that week, she spent six hours tilling, fertilizing, and cleaning up the flower beds. No surprise to us, it was a work day for her, and she told her boss that it looked like it was going to be a nice day so she needed to go home. The rest of us Average Divas would have needed to have gotten sick or had foot surgery to pull off that stunt. We’d never even consider it. Not the Queen! This is common practice for her Highness.
As I mentioned, Mariachi’s is typical Mexican food. The chicken and steak fajitas were sizzling and flavorful. The Greek Diva was excited about the Santa Fe fajita nachos or as she refers to them, Chevy’s nachos. Individualized nachos with cheese, beans, and meat. The Italian Diva ordered the Jalisco fajita nachos with all ingredients mixed together. Unfortunately, it was served with bag lettuce and was light on the cheese. As she pointed out, isn’t that what nachos are about? The cheese?
The Picky Diva ordered the Arroz con Pollo. This dish is a great to get when you want to trick yourself into thinking you’re eating healthy Mexican food. It came with seasonal vegetables (carrots, squash, zucchini) and chicken and rice and was served with lettuce, pico de gallo, and a cheese sauce.
The side orders of guacamole were a hit with the group as were the margaritas. Like in most Mexican restaurants, don’t order the house margarita. Go for the Cadillac margarita. It’s well worth the couple extra bucks a glass.
Although we had typical Mexican, it was not a typical Dining Divas. The Colorful Diva’s “driver” husband decided to join us. It’s always a treat to get together with this Diva husband, and it’s always a treat to hear about their ever-entertaining life at home. This night, we enjoyed hearing about the newest member of their family, Lucy, their dog. Like Lucy, the Colorful Diva is well-trained, claims to be a non-“barker” but is quite the opposite, and now, needs to be walked. Fortunately for her, the Diva husband is pleased to oblige. Just as the Divas were pleased to come to her neck of the woods.
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