Coasterra

It was our 21st anniversary so the wife and I decided to go someplace with a nice view that was a bit more expensive FOR US, than normal. I was a bit annoyed to start when all the parking was taken while the valet spots had many many spots available. I realize it’s only $10 plus tip but when you save for a fancy meal, you should anticipate that. The staff let me know that rarely happens. But it did happen to me. Once we got to our seats it was worth it. The view is gorgeous. The food was pretty good in that our carne asada was extremely tender. Must’ve been a great cut of meat. Upscale Mexican is not quite the same for me when we live by so many good Mexican places. But for a tourist, I’m sure it’s perfect. Beyond the view I felt our waiter was the best part of the meal. His name was Matthew. He was patient with us and very helpful with the gluten free items since I have celiac disease. (I didn’t get sick btw) He was nice and as talkative as we wanted. We never felt rushed and we actually appreciated how he went out of his way to assure us to tarry. Our dessert was nice and the cafe moto coffees were excellent. If I were a bit more wealthy and not a pastor, we would probably visit even more.

Pricey for the spicy. They do have gluten free options but a little more gourmet with potato and kale enchiladas rancheros that we thought would be cheese enchiladas.

First thing I asked after walking in the door: do they use whole corn tortillas and chips or do they follow the ridiculous new fad of serving wheat/corn mixed tortillas and chips. (Wheat is middle eastern, not meso-American.) They assured me that they used whole corn tortillas. I asked the waitress again as I ordered and she assured me that they were corn tortillas. When I got them they seemed a bit plasticky in texture, but I foolishly trusted them and ate two of the tortillas. I was sick for two days afterwards. I have Celiac disease and can assure you this was gluten-sick, not bacterial sick. The people were very nice, though they apparently did not take my dietary concerns seriously, the view is awesome, but I still got sick. People with Celiac disease or gluten-sensitivity (7% of the population is genetically prone to one or the other, though only about half of that exhibit symptoms) should look elsewhere. And given that the average seating is probably three people, that means around 10% of their potential customers will go elsewhere. Why would any restaurant do that to themselves?