Cantina delivers festive Mexican cuisine

Located on the busiest stretch of downtown Saratoga, Cantina restaurant offers an escape into the world of authentic Mexican cuisine. The restaurant offers a large menu featuring an array of homemade, hearty options.

Upon arrival, a cone of homemade tortilla chips paired with a fresh house salsa is brought to the table. This is a treat and it is usually hard to not fill up before the next course arrives.

The chips are crisp and salty, and, unlike generic store-bought tortilla chips, you can actually taste the corn meal, giving the chips an authentic flavor. The salsa is fresh and mild, yet packed with flavor and perfectly seasoned. It is not too spicy, which is great for ninnies like me, and additional hot sauces are easily available upon request.

I have dined at Cantina several times now and the nachos remain the best item I have ordered there. If you fear filling up on chips and salsa, just wait until you try to eat an entrée after ordering the nachos. I would actually suggest that you do not, which is a good tip for your stomach and your wallet.

Featuring the homemade tortilla chips, the nachos are stacked high with seasoned chicken, salsa verde, which is a mild green salsa, jalapenos, the house salsa, and the star of the plate: Chihuahua cheese. Anyone who has not had authentic Mexican cuisine might be wondering what exactly Chihuahua cheese is.

Although the name conjures up the image of a small dog urging one to eat outside the bun, do not worry, you will not find a canine on your nachos. You will find, however, a deliciously tangy, crumbled cheese like none other. Chihuahua cheese is like the Mexican version of Parmesan and pairs perfectly with the nachos.

For the entrée course, Cantina offers a multitude of options, from tacos and burritos, to slow simmered chicken mole and grilled tilapia with pineapple salsa. I would suggest the steak fajitas; the steak is tender and well seasoned, and the homemade tortillas are thin and chewy.

For dessert, the churros are a good choice. Served warm and lavishly rolled in cinnamon and sugar, these Mexican style donuts are a great way to round out the meal.

The highlight of this dessert is the Mexican chocolate sauce for dipping the churros. Given the complexity of Mexican chocolate, Cantina does well by simply melting it. There is nothing added, which dilutes the intricacy of the chocolate, hence it remains in its purest form.

The interior of the restaurant is airy yet festive. Colorful lights and accents give Cantina a fun atmosphere, and when the weather is nice, outdoor seating is available, allowing one to eat while enjoying all the excitement of downtown Saratoga Springs.

The service varies. The food does not take too long to arrive, however the wait staff appeared somewhat unprofessional at times.

All in all, Cantina offers an exciting escape into the world of authentic Mexican cuisine, and the prices are reasonable. On Tuesdays they offer a $2 taco deal, so those trying to watch their spendings should keep that in mind. Happy eating, Skidmore!

Robin Krosinsky is a sophomore with a passion for food.