The Ruffled Crow

Well, it’s been 8 months along and our favorite eatery next-door, Aventura, is going strong.

For the most part, construction has completed on our part of Greenwood avenue. Of great interest in our household was the addition of a crosswalk across the east side of the Greenwood/Holman Rd intersection. This alone has given Aunt B no end of delight and she’s regaled us with not only the progress of its construction but the wonder of its use. Miz Liz and I are certain that she had the crosswalk signals timed to the second during its first week of use. But I digress…

As noted, we were quite worried about a new restaurant trying its oven mitts at a questionable location, during major construction, and in a questionable economic environment just as folks had been cutting back on the little luxuries like eating out.

Well I am very happy to report that Aventuras is going strong and we are still observing our Saturday Night Thing (SNT). My parents continue to join us weekly and often Miz Liz or The Z (occasionally accompanied by The War Goddess) attend now and again. For Mom’s birthday, my lil sis, the unsinkable Lala made her way down from the hinterlands dragging her entire kit-and-caboodle as well.

Anymore, Heron (the owner) can almost anticipate our order and Rudy the bar-man always stops by and says hello. It has become almost as comfortable as our own kitchen table. (if we had one, that is…) Slowly art has crept onto the walls, new employees are added or rotate in to spell Heron’s kids, and the occasional bit of music is heard.

The opening of the bar was rather tough for me though. Had I still been a swimmer I probably would’ve had a reserved stool at the bar, but alas, other than taking Heron’s tour the week before it opened, I’ve not laid a foot in there. On the positive side, it has given Heron some much-needed revenue and traffic and with the competition of a pub next door and an established Chinese restaurant a half block away that is paramount.

As mentioned in my first post, however, it’s the food that’s keeping Aventura alive. We’ve had the pleasure of being guinea pigs for new items coming to the menu. Like the established menu, his dishes are simple for the most part, but well-tested in a family restaurant in Mexico. What many folks forget about true Mexican food is that it includes quite a bit of seafood. They have several dishes from the sea that are most excellent.

Before this turns into a total love-fest I must note the hit-and-miss adventures of the music. At the grand opening Heron brought in a traditional guitarist who serenaded us wonderfully. A few months back, however, he had a trio that did American standards. (Over the Rainbow and the like) They looked like a family; Dad on drums, Mom singing, kid on keyboards. The kid was good actually – could lay down jazz riffs well – but Dad overpowered, and Mom… Well, the Mom could’ve sang Klingon Opera, and may have been a student of it. “Strangling cats” would be applicable as well. They lasted 4 weekends, which I imagine was the extent of their contract. We stopped in during their first performance and had a Flan. Barely made it through one set and it got rather tough to keep the smile in place. It hurt…

To add insult to injury (in my and Aunt B’s opinion) Heron delved into the depths of evil and has began weekly Karaoke to compete with the Chinese restaurant who offers it nightly. Good business move, true enough. This ups the ante to “Throttling rather large felines”. We have not darkened the door during these likely horrific occasions – even for a flan…

It does appear, though, that traditional Mexican music and dance will continue to make appearances at Aventura. (Thanks to all that is Good) We weren’t able to make it to see the dancing girls (yes, I said traditional dance, no poles involved) weekend afore last, but will keep trying when they show.

Anyways, it’s wonderful to see a small, local business run by very nice folks, that puts excellent food out is making it and getting a great reputation while doing it as evidenced here and here, for only 2 examples.