We visited the new Mexican restaurant in Carytown last week, after meeting our football team and some other friends for drinks at New York Deli. We should have remained at the Deli and eaten there, because, as succinctly stated by the West of the Boulevard blog, this new Mexican restaurant was “bad.” Also, I cannot remember the name of this restaurant and cannot seem to find it on-line, after an extensive search (by extensive, I mean a 10-minute Google search and a search of RVA blogs).
Tim and I visited the new establishment on Friday night with our friends Leigh and David. We were quickly seated and served the customary salsa and chips. We, like all the other tables, received a horrible white dipping sauce in addition to our salsa. I don’t believe it was a queso sauce, but I am at a loss as to how to describe it, except to say it was wretched – very, very sweet and sugary tasting.
I ordered a margarita, on the rocks, with salt and received a margarita on the rocks, with no salt. It was fine, but like most cheap Mexican restaurants, was made using an awful margarita mix rather than tequila, triple sec, and lime juice. I ordered a chicken burrito with mole sauce for my dinner, and it was almost inedible. I ate approximately 5 bites before giving up in disgust. The chicken was overcooked, the burrito shell was mushy, and, most disappointingly, the mole sauce was thick, too sweet, and not spicy. It was “bad.”
Tim and David thought their entrees were fine, but not noteworthy. Leigh enjoyed her chicken and rice entree, but, how can you screw up chicken and rice? If you know me, you know my constant lament on the closing of El Rio Grande in the Fan near VCU. Their burrito with mole sauce was extraordinary, and I cannot seem to replicate its magnificence anywhere.
I did not like the atmosphere of the new Mexican restaurant either – a bit rundown and very glaring lighting. I thought most items were over-priced, although I suppose that is to be expected for a restaurant in Carytown. My recommendation is to stay far, far away.
Rating: 
VIVA MEXICO is the name of the restaurant. It was bothering me that I couldn’t remember, and you’re right that it was tough to find online. I finally found it on the Richmond Magazine site.
Ahh…and now that I have the name, here is a mention from Style Weekly: http://www.styleweekly.com/article.asp?idarticle=14289
Sorry to hear it was an unpleasant experience. I haven’t had the chance to try it myself.
Comment by Nathan Hughes — November 26, 2007 @ 9:40 am
WOW…1/2 a star. i really liked that Siam place. i thought the food and ambiance was great.
Comment by John — November 26, 2007 @ 10:16 am
I wrote about “Viva Mexico” on my blog as well and I did weigh in with some constructive criticism. Many bloggers and media outlets have harangued the restaurant. You would think that word would have gotten back to them so they could make some adjustments. Hmmmm…
Comment by RVA Foodie — November 26, 2007 @ 10:33 am
Where does that white dipping sauce come from? La casita has it.. as does Los Amigos.. I’ve only seen this in Richmond..
It’s not Mexican as I know it and I grew up 40 miles from Eagle Pass, Texas across from Piedras Negras, Coahuila..
Comment by Ted — November 26, 2007 @ 12:51 pm
My beau and I went to Viva Mexico during the first week it was open. My food was also bad, even for unoriginal Mexican. But the service was great, and we had this dreamboat of a server who had friendly conversations with us in Spanish, and I liked that. Even though I don’t speak Spanish.
Comment by Birdie — November 27, 2007 @ 1:49 pm