Bites Nearby: Mezcal

It's the summer! Time for that margarita. The work week is over and the weekend is here. The last place you want to be tonight is the kitchen. Let’s eat out!

Restaurant name: Mezcal    

Address: 14 Mechanic St., New Haven         

Phone number: 203-782-4828

Cuisine: Mexican

Price range: $4.95 to $16.95 

Take out:  Dishes are available to go, but you’ll miss the festive atmosphere of this neighborhood restaurant.  

Kid-friendly: With its signature margaritas and tequilas, Mezcal definitely caters to adults, but families can feel comfortable in the casual dining room with the colorful paper cutouts hanging from the ceiling.

Why you should go right now: A frosty margarita hits the spot on a muggy summer night and lends a tart, refreshing balance to the nicely seasoned food. The restaurant also offers cocktails made with its namesake Mezcal, a liquor made, like tequila, from the agave plant. One of owner Ricardo Trejo’s most popular menu items is a dish from his childhood – his mother’s Pollo Entomatado a la Mama Gude, sautéed chicken embellished with tomatillo, chipotle, garlic and raisins. Among the more familiar Mexican choices are chicken or cheese enchiladas, accented with the traditional mole sauce. A few tables with umbrellas provide outdoor seating during the summer.