Garduņo's

Visitors who hunger for Mexican food, the real thing, can find it at Garduño's.

The design and décor of Garduño's at the Palms is much grander than most Mexican eateries. Garduño's is on two levels with outdoor dining on the second-level terrace and ground-floor patio. There's a pool courtyard view and a menu that's super.

In the main dining room, there's the Blue Agave Oyster & Chile Bar, which features freshly shucked oysters, fresh seafood, pan roasts and zesty bowls of red or green chile.

On Sundays, Garduño's features a lavish margarita brunch. The guacamole is prepared tableside, and each server has his/her own schtick and performs like a pro. One generous order should serve four average appetites.

Add one of the expertly made margaritas (the house margarita is an award winner) or a nonalcoholic mockarita and enjoy. Of course, this is only the beginning.

A list of appetizers includes a great chile con queso made with assorted cheeses, and the noted Hatch Chiles served fondue-style with fresh hot tostadas and marvelous quesadillas. It's not easy to choose from such an appealing menu.

There also are soups and salads that could be meals and a host of Mexican specialities made the Garduño's way. Mix and match things to come up with your own savory combinations. All the specialties include freshly made sopapillas.

Enchiladas are traditionally served flat with three corn tortillas layered with a choice of filling. Included are refried beans and rice. For $1 more, you can have blue corn tortillas or a fried egg and sour cream. Good stuff.

The menu includes page after page of exciting Mexican dishes, desserts and a terrific drink selection that includes both bottled and draft imported and domestic beers. Garduño's is a delish Mexican experience.