Hacienda de Vega

Hacienda de Vega, Escondido.

This is not your typical Mexican restaurant. It’s more of a ranchero-style dining experience. Most of the time the weather is nice enough to sit out on the large patio, next to a pond and a waterfall. If not, there’s space inside the adobe.

It has an old-fashioned feel, like you’ve stepped out of the suburbs and into a country inn in Mexico. I’ve enjoyed every dinner I’ve had here. The chips and salsa and margaritas are fine — any place should be able to do that — and the entrees are more elegant than your usual taco-and-enchilada combination.

Afterwards, I suggest making out in the parking lot. This worked fine for us.