Cheap Eats - Diego's Mexican Grill

"It's pretty magical when it snows in Times Square."

That's something that my sister said when she was here visiting over St. Patrick's Day weekend, and it's something that I've always thought myself as well (despite the fact that any other time of year I am two seconds from murdering any person who asks me "Do you like comedy?" Yeah, I like comedy. Who doesn't like "comedy"? What kind of dumbass question is that anyway?). There is some kind of whimsy that comes from watching the snowflakes dance upon the 6 block radius that literally never sleeps. And with that, we had planned quite a fantastic day to coincide with that feeling.

We got up early to score cheap tickets to a Broadway show. Hannah had never been to one, and I took it on as my sole duty to ensure that she did not return to Bowling Green, KY without an experience of that nature. My generous Nana had sent me some money with which to "show my sister a good time". Now, we contemplated drinking this away like two lost souls, but decided, meh, you can do that anywhere (and the Times Square/Hell's Kitchen was overrun by underage drunkards wearing green top hats. Eff that). So we opted for tickets to Chicago and a pleasant brunch instead. (THANKS NANA!)

Considering it was the day before St. Patty's - i.e. the day when every 18 year old from Jersey and Long Island fills up a 20 oz. Coca-Cola bottle with Captain Morgan's and hopes that they will be a instigator or victim in a date rape exchange - it proved quite a challenge to find a brunch spot that fit our pre-theatre needs.

We saw a sign outside of Diego's Mexican Grill that read "$4 Mimosas, Margarita and Sangria with your brunch entree". In Hell's Kitchen, this was a win, so we wandered in. This place was DEAD. There was one person sitting at the bar enjoying some chips and salsa, and that was it. This was especially surprising for around 1 PM on a Saturday, and might have been considered a red flag by some. However, I attributed the quiet scene to the raucous sh*tshow that was occurring inside the surrounding Irish pubs. God help us all.

The Bartender was immediately warm and inviting, and told us to sit wherever we liked. We told him we'd make his life easy, then proceeded to seat ourselves at the bar. We were greeted with a basket of warm corn tortilla chips with zesty, spicy salsa. It was a nice touch. Then we took a look at the brunch menu. This place was cheap, which was another surprise for the neighborhood. It appeared that none of the entree prices exceeded $15, and they each came with a complimentary coffee, tea or juice. And with the adult beverages ringing in below a Jackson, it was party time.

I ordered the Chilaquiles verdes con huevo ($11) which came with tortilla chips, cheese, bright tomatillo sauce, sour cream, black beans and topped with a perfectly runny sunnyside up egg. This dish was doin' it for me. It wasn't too salty, and the sauce complimented the other ingredients without being overpowering. The chips even stayed crispy despite being slathered in green tomato-y goodness. This dish was accompanied by a choice of beans or home fries topped in a rich red sauce. I opted for the potatoes, and they came out steaming hot. I'd never had home fries like this, but I loved them. This all went perfectly alongside my typical morning coffee, and, is that a margarita? Why yes, yes it is.

Hannah opted for the veggie omelet ($10) which was full of spinach, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes and cilantro. VENZINS LOVE CILANTRO. I tasted this and was amazed by the punch of flavor it packed. This was a hella good omelet, and not greasy at all. She went for rice and beans as her side which added a starchy balance to the veggies and eggs. Hannah opted for a mimosa to keep her coffee company.

Also - mad props to our waiter, who later allowed us to get champagne only for the price of a mimosa. There is nothing that pisses me off more than an over-juiced breakfast cocktail. I CAME FOR THE BUBBLES, SON. He knew how to hook it up. We then had a conversation where we all told each other that we looked familiar and that we must have met down the road at some point. I don't know if this is true, or if it was the booze talking. He was a doll anyhow, and I would gladly swing by to share a champagne in his presence again.

We stumbled over to Chicago and both agreed it was A REVELATION, despite it being "like, soooo mainstream". But hell, it was Broadway, and what show on Broadway isn't mainstream? We also spent $50 on four classes of wine in commemorative glasses, so that happened (PS - THAT WAS ONLY FOUR GLASSES. WTF?!)

THE DAMAGE: $48.99 + tax and tip for brunch (NOT BAD!)

OTHER DAMAGE:

Chicago Matinee Tickets - $99.00
Crappy Theatre Wine - $46.00 + tip (JESUS CHRIST)
Hungover by 6 PM
Wet feet as a result of walking around in the snow without proper boots