Mesa Mercado

I finally got around to driving to Carmichael the other day to check out the new Milagro Centre, which opened last summer. Several different restaurants are housed there, but the one I was there to try was Mesa Mercado.

Unlike most Mexican restaurants, Mesa Mercado doesn't provide complimentary chips and salsa when you're seated. Instead, they bring out a refreshing dish of mango bites, sprinkled with chili powder. I thought that was a nice change from chips, which often fill me up before I even receive my entrée. Of course, if you'd like chips, you can order the chips and salsa trio or the chips and guacamole appetizer.

There were a couple of entrées that appeared to be either vegan or veganizable, such as one of the salads and the veggie tacos, but the dish I chose was the caldo de cosecha, a big bowl of hearty vegetable soup. Filled with broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, squash, carrots, peppers, and I don't know what all, and served with crispy mini tortillas, it was a tasty and satisfying meal.

Mesa Mercado is located inside the Milagro Centre at 6241 Fair Oaks Boulevard in Carmichael, and the phone number is 916-283-4081. Their website address is http://mesamercado.com/, and their Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/Mesa-Mercado-1495372880732521/. The restaurant is open Sunday from noon to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday from noon to 9:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from noon to 10:00 p.m.