Jul 19, 2016
Hector’s Casa
This is where we had our 29th anniversary dinner. Hector’s has been nominated the top Mexican restaurant in Kelowna almost since he opened.
It is located in the trendy Pandosy area.
Trip Advisor gave it mostly fabulous reviews and when I read that it was owned by Hector who was born in Mazatlan, well that cinched the decision.
So we went, met Hector and had several chats with him during the evening. They go back to Mazatlan every year in February for 6 weeks. He hasn’t been to the Isla since 1975 when he used to surf there. For a Monday evening the place was packed. It was very tight and crowded. Service was prompt and efficient. Sadly the margaritas were not very good at all. At least in my ( experienced ) opinion. Who uses a purchased mix of lime juice? I asked and the answer was that fresh limes were too expensive!!!!! However the Pinot Gris that Colin ordered was equally awful and at $11.00 for a 6 ounce pour I stuck with the margarita. Had they a decent bottle of wine we would have ordered it.
Honestly the place was rather plain and the decor less than mediocre with very cheap decorations.
The most impressive thing I saw……. 🙁
I had read about this fabulous appetizer which was wonderful but 6 tiny shrimp!! We lapped up the sauce with the garlic bread, it was that good.
I ordered the enchiladas verde with shrimp. They were made with corn tortillas but basically had little flavor and if there was cheese in it I could not taste nor see it. The onion slice was pickled.
Colin did better with his choice of fish tacos ( snapper ), it had some bite to it. He paid an extra $2.95 for that tiny silver container of guacamole. The avocado was so hard that you could barely pick it up with a fork. We asked about that and were told that it was not cost effective to have perfect avocado and that it was what it was. Hmmmm, $3.00 for a few bites!!!!
Just to prove that we really did eat there.
We were disappointed. The food was good but we have had better on the beach on the Isla and much better in Mazatlan itself. Colin commented that the food was indeed authentic, in that it was served ‘warm’. No, not hot as most of us expect, but when in Mexico that seems to be the norm.
It was enjoyable and an experience but we likely won’t be back. To end the evening on a different note we headed down to the Kelowna waterfront, parked and went for a stroll. We also shared a delicious two scoop ice cream cone as we strolled. So ended the celebration and now we are onto the next 365 days of enjoying life to the fullest each and every day.
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Cost of product, where it’s grown, availability of ingredients and spices, laws governing food production and handling all change the flavor of food. Even soil where things are grown can do that. Nothing is like home. Happy anniversary!
It’s too bad that your anniversary dinner wasn’t the best. However, you have each other. Happy Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary! Too bad the meal was a little disappointing. Nothing beats the food you get in Mexico, no matter what.
Ruth
That was my experience in the Okanagan, that the locale palate cannot support flavourful food. I once went to a restaurant in Osoyoos owned by a Syrian woman and was disappointed by how bland my falafel was. She’s the one who made me realise that ‘ethnic’ restaurants in the area have to cater to customers who aren’t used to spices. Not just spicy hot, but flavourful. She had me come back and eat what she make for her family. Big difference! Last time I ate in Kelowna was in West Bank, where I had the blandest pad Thai ever, and it was a well rated restaurant. So all I can say is is that reviews in your area don’t necessarily mean much…
Can you imagine the complaints about prices if they used real limes?!
Too bad about your experience, but I agree with Chris, nothing like the the real thing in Mexico.
Happy Anniversary !
We had Mexican food last weekend in Bellingham and it was equally disappointing. My only savior is a taco truck that shows up at farmers markets with real Mexican style tacos!! Done the proper way!! Wish they were a sitdown restaurant though. We did find an absolutely amazing Vietnamese restaurant in Abbotsford though, one of the very best restaurant meals I have ever had – chicken coconut curry with veggies served over rice. AND they had a decent house wine to go with it!
When we go to a restaurant that has good reviews we try to keep an open mind as many times we have been disappointed. Could be an off day/night, our different tastes from the reviewer but always exciting when we do find a good one. We especially like eating breakfast out in late morning and when in Mazatlan if there a good view you can forgive a little if the food is not quite up to expectations as long as the coffee is good. That probably would not work for you as I think I remember you don’t drink coffee. Life is an adventure and we do enjoy as do you and Colin.