Tequila Sunrise:
34-37 Bell Blvd, Bayside; 631-0377

Cuisine: Mexican

Credit: All major cards accepted

Hours: Monday-Thursday, noon-10 p.m.; Friday-Sunday, noon-11 p.m.; bar open until 1 a.m.

Seating: Indoor and outdoor

As soon as my dining companion and I entered Tequila Sunrise on Bell Boulevard in Bayside, we knew we were going to have a fun dining experience, at the very least. The colorful dim lighting, the elaborate Mexican art on the walls, the fabulous live entertainment, and the relaxed atmosphere set the perfect tone for an enjoyable evening.

We started our meal by tasting a sample of several Tequila appetizers, including Quesadillas ($5.50), Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail ($8), and Chilled Fresh Oysters ($9). We also tried the restaurant’s combo Ceviches ($13), a cold appetizer featuring tangy marinated red snapper, scallops, octopus and lobster on tortilla chips with tomatoes, onions and lettuce. The last appetizer we sampled were the crunchy Chicken Quesados ($6.50), which feature tomato, sour cream, grilled chicken and muenster cheese in a soft flour tortilla. All of the starters were wonderful and unique, but only a small sample of the wide range of appetizers Tequila Sunrise has to offer.

Although the restaurant has a large array of soups and salads, we elected to skip to the menu’s huge selection of entrees, which include traditional favorites like Tacos ($14) and Burritos ($14) and specials like Paella ($42), which takes 30 minutes to prepare. Tequila’s Chicken, Steak, Shrimp and Mixed Fajitas ($17-$20) are considered specialties of the house, featuring huge chunks of meat or fish with sizzling onions, peppers and mushrooms.

Although everything sounded delicious, including the restaurants various lobster tail dinners, we sampled the Solomilla a la Parilla ($22), grilled filet mignon with roasted red bliss potatoes, vegetables and calafia sauce. We also tried the Alambres Chicken ($17), which included marinated grilled chicken with red and green peppers, bacon and onions on a skewer with rice and refried beans. It was a healthy dish that sure didn’t taste that way.

The full bar with top tequilas complements any meal, as do the restaurant’s wide range of special coffees. Tequila Sunrise also offers Sunday brunch until 3 p.m., which include such delicious treats as Mexican French Toast and Shrimp or Lobster Omelets – a great way to start the day.