Cantina Tequila

No less a foodie than Neon Feast dojo Al Mancini is a fan of this new spot: “I love everything about the absurdly over-the-top south-of-the-border decor, designed by the inimitable Branden Powers. The ceramic donkeys on the patio, painted with zebra stripes, flash me back to some of my wildest nights in Tijuana.”

So will the crazy-creative food, with choices such as piled-up-to-there Nachos Famosos (jumbo prawns are an option). Tijuana-style taco trios including buttered whitefish and lobster fajitas.

All of the old-familiars are there, too, such as carne asada tacos, cheese enchiladas and chile relleno.

But why go with tradition when you can indulge in a signature such as Mar Y Tierra, which is marinated skirt steak with chile-rubbed jumbo prawns, lobster and roasted elote?

For proof that this place has an attitude -- but in a good way -- you need only go to the web site, where a guy evocative of Danny Trejo approaches the screen with a glower and polishes it with his hand.

This space, across Green Valley Parkway from the District proper in a spot often called District II, has seen a succession of businesses. But none of them were Cantina Tequila.