Ryan J.
Yelp
I told my good friend Zina Lapi during my last visit with her, next time we will have lots more to Taco-bout. This time it would be at a new Location in one of the most Popular areas of buffalo, what was once Cantina Loco at the intersection of Elmwood & Allen is now Casa Azul's new base of Culinary Operations.
I always thought of returning here but I never even thought of coming here until I saw on Facebook that they were having a Halloween Party. I told my cousin Mike and his girlfriend Emily about it and they were onboard with it right away. When they picked me up I guess that me and Mike had the Same Idea, as we both dressed up as Skeletons only difference was that I wore a Mask and Mike had his face painted while Emily was dressed up like a Troll.
The Intersection of Elmwood & Allen was under construction, so we had to make our way down and park on Park Street. A Little bit of walk on such a brisk night wouldn't hurt to work up an Appetite. We walked in and I went right up to Zina Lapi (she and her Co-Worker were both halves of a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich). She kindly greeted us as we got here just in time before it got crowded, waited 6 Minutes for our Table which was in the Corner next to the DJ.
Shortly after we were seated people started coming in as they were crowding the Bar Area and even Outside. Makes me glad we arrived when we did, we looked over their Spooky Cocktail Menu and I got one of them. It was called What lies Beneath served in a Tall Tiki Glass filled with Rum, Blue Curacao, Sherry, Coconut & Lime. I wasn't thrilled with the Pineapple Rind nor the Plastic Spider sitting at the top of my Lime Wedge floating in the Drink. A few sips of this Tropical Beverage and I could feel the Buzz as much as I do from the Party.
Food Wise, Mike and Emily each got a plate of Taquitos that were filled with Roasted Pork and Cabbage topped with a Charred Jalapeno Aioli and with a little pool of Bright Green Chile Sauce. I was starving as I haven't eaten in over 9 Hours so I took the liberty of getting 2 Entrees.
The 1st was a Braised Pork Belly Tostada with Fingerling Potatoes and Black Bean Puree. The other was Cod that was brushed with Black Garlic in a Poblano Corn Chowder. When I went to eat the Tostada, I didn't know how to attack it, if I picked it up and ate it would've shattered all over my Lap. So I ate with my Knife and Fork, Pork was Crispy and Juicy, Tender Potatoes, Onions packed with a Punch from the Habanero marinade.
The Fish was fall apart Tender swimming in a pond of Corn Chowder that was accented mildly from the Poblanos. The Pumpkin Seeds and Fingerling Potato Crisps that were floating provided some Texture Contrast to the Dish.
I ordered another Drink, one of their Regular Cocktails called the Poblano Plane. It was a Charred Poblano infused Bourbon with Amero Nonino, Aperol & Lemon. Bourbon to me has a bit of a kick when it hits my Throat, this Poblano just emphasized it to another Level with a subtle hint of Smoke at the end. Emily got some Churros for Dessert, who doesn't like Fried Dough dusted with Cinnamon Sugar and drizzled with Dulce de Leche Caramel.
Around 11:30 at night I was feeling it from the Party especially with DJ Crespo rocking those Tunes and spinning those Records. I decided to order another Drink, Ruby and the Beast. Consisting of Mezcal, Lemon Juice, Grapefruit, Cinnamon Syrup, Orgeat, Allspice Dram and Angostura Bitters. Bright Orange drink that had a Mint Shrub and Orange slice on Top. It was like a play on Beauty and the Beast as the Beauty was from the Sweetness from the Fruit and the Cinnamon and the Beast was the intensity of the Mezcal Tequila.
At around quarter to Midnight I ordered some Tacos to Munch on. I got Shrimp with Chipotle Sauce, Chicken packed Dark Meat and topped with bits of Crispy Chicken Skin for Crunch and Brussel Sprouts tossed with Salsa Macha along with Roasted Peanuts and Sesame Seed for some Bite.
You know between the Food, Drinks, Party and the Atmosphere I had a Rockin Good time. Mike & Emily enjoyed themselves too, after 2 1/2 Hours we decide to call it a Night, also gave a shoutout to DJ Crespo before I left. I think that Zina and the rest of the Casa Azul crew will thrive and be a Big Success in this area. Elmwood is a popular Street in Buffalo, they go by and think, this looks like just the Place for Tacos. Let me do some math for you, Casa Azul + Tacos = Happiness. !!!