population-we™: pop-we Dinner Club Reviews Cantina Laredo

Midtown Crossing's Cantina Laredo.

Midtown Crossing offers a Mexican fare restaurant where it's Cinco De Mayo every day. Don't let the address fool you, located at 120 S. 31st Ave. in Omaha, Cantina Laredo has an uptown vibe. The restaurant is not tucked away at all; the Cantina Laredo sign can easily be seen from the most traveled road in Omaha, Dodge St.

This month was Jackie's pick. A native of Cuba, it was truly a treat for her to share authentic Mexican cuisine with fellow pop-we foodies. However, it's not just a Mexican restaurant, Cantina Laredo is much more than tacos and burritos, the establishment offers gourmet Mexican food.

This evening we parked in the parking garage (which is free under two hours) and entered from the west entrance (see picture above). As we made our way down the staircase we could see other diners in the dimly lit, open modern space. Our first stop the bar, just left of the reservation desk. Outdoor seating overlooking Midtown Crossing is also an option. As you make your way through the dining area you notice avocado and lime at each table. For a real treat, order guacamole, and your waiter will make it right in front of your eyes. It's fun too watch and tasty too! Don't care for guacamole? If so, Cantina Laredo provides complimentary chips and homemade salsa with each meal. With a party of 10, Jackie picked indoor seating next to a fire place, which happened to peer into the next room.

Brian and I have dined at Cantina Laredo on more than one occasion, so my goal this evening was to try something new. I decided on a Tres Course Meal (Three-Course Meal) for $17.99: 1) Ensalada De Jardin 2) Enchilada De Avocado 3) Mango Tres Leches.

Enchilada De Avocado.

Ensalada De Jardin, a house salad full of greens, which was very refreshing and enough to share with Brian.

Enchilada De Avocado, avocado and artichoke enchilada topped with tomattillo sauce on a bed of spinach. It was light, but yummy. The ingredients were a perfect marriage of flavor. The avocado and artichoke burst with flavor in my mouth. The freshly made cole slaw was a nice accompaniment, too. I highly recommend this dish for vegans or avocado enthusiasts!

Mango Tres Leches, a creamy vanilla cake with mango cream sauce. Last but not least, dessert! I worked at Taco Johns one summer in high school; therefore, I have a love for Churros, which was the other dessert choice. However, Jackie talked me into Mango Tres Leches. Her definition of Mango Tres Leches: a cake made from scratch with heavy cream stacked between layers of mango. It was truly delicious!

So, don't wait until Cinco De Mayo; instead, make Cinco De Mayo any day and visit Cantina Laredo soon.

After compiling the surveys from the other foodies the pop-we Dinner Club gives Cantina Laredo 4.25 star average on a scale of 1-5.

Atmosphere/Decor – 4.33

Cleanliness – 4.66

Wait Staff – 4.44

Menu – 4.33

Food Presentation – 4.22

Food Portions – 4.22

Food Taste – 4.22

Cost (was the cost worth meal?) – 4.33

Noise Level – 3.55

Overall Experience – 4.22

For more information regarding directions or Cantina Laredo's menu, visit their website at http://www.cantinalaredo.com/.

Fellow population-we™ readers, if you've been to the Cantina Laredo leave us a comment and tell us what you thought?

Want to do this yourself? To review how to start your own dinner club, visit our January post about doing just that. Remember it is a template; tweak it to fit you and your friends’ tastes. pop-we Dinner Club: good food…good friends…good times.