Now open: Leon Mexican Cuisine in Ridgewood
How it started: Himani and Srini Rao, owners of Nirvana Indian Kitchen in Allendale, said that they had to drive great distances from their Upper Saddle River home to get “great Mexican food.” So they decided to open another restaurant, this one serving modern upscale Mexican cuisine, closer to home. The couple, who both come from fashion industry backgrounds, opened Leon Mexican Cuisine a year and a half after their first venture in Allendale.
The concept: Himani said she and her husband chose Ridgewood for its lively downtown area, and its lack of a Mexican restaurant. Himani herself transformed the 120-seat space, which had housed an Italian restaurant, to evoke a “Mexican villa,” with “lively and colorful décor” and a “warm, inviting atmosphere.” The Raos assembled a culinary team to turn out traditional Mexican dishes, as well as classics with a modern spin.
The menu: Himani said the restaurant will work for “anyone who wants traditional, classic stuff,” including tacos ($15 to $18, depending on the filling), burritos ($14 to $17), fajitas ($19 to $22) and quesadillas ($15 to $18), as well as “more contemporary” dishes such as avocado fritters served with chili lime dip ($10), ceviche over fried plantains ($14), grilled shrimp in Mexican spices paired with Southern-style grits ($14) and pan-seared mahi mahi ($25). The menu is divided into tapas ($8 to $14), soups and salads ($7 to $15), classic dishes ($14 to $24) and contemporary specials ($18 to $25). Leon will also serve weekday lunch and brunch on the weekends, with more than a dozen entrées available, including breakfast burritos ($13), chilaquiles ($12), huevos rancheros ($16), Baha fish tacos ($16), stuffed peppers ($16) and more ($12 to $16 for lunch menu, $12 to $23 for brunch). Every dish, Himani stressed, is made to order, from the guacamole made tableside ($13) to the bowl-shaped tortilla shell that holds taco salad ($12).
Leon Mexican Cuisine is BYOB but is in the process of acquiring a wine license. The restaurant offers virgin drinks, such as margaritas, mojitos and bloody marys (all $7). There is also a kids menu; quesadilla, cheeseburger and chicken fingers served with fries (each $11). Homemade desserts include churros, tres leches cake and flan (all $8).
More info: Open daily from noon to 2:30 p.m. and 5 to 10:30 p.m.