Just because the Government says we have to stay in does not mean that we cannot take any sort of trip!

Case in point- My family and I enjoyed an authentic visit to Mexico the other night thanks to the culinary wizards at Sol Azteca (www.solaztecaboston.com).

While we missed the authentic décor and live music that a real visit to the restaurants in Newton and Boston offer, streaming Mariachi music and having my daughter bring her stuffed Frida Kahlo made it almost as fun.

What mattered most, however, were the delicious foods and the people who made them with authenticity, care, and plenty of nitrile gloves.

Sol Azteca is one of the few places in the Boston area that offers authentic nopales(cactus) and it is a treat every time! Our girls were nice enough to share their chilaquiles (tortilla casserole) – which were the best I have had this side of Tejas– and we all enjoyed Sol Azteca’s fresh and flavorful guacamole, which had just enough onion pepper, cilantro, and jalapeno to complement their crispy, hearty chips.

For mains, my wife had a smoky-sweet moleenchiladas and I had a heaping plate of chiles rellenos(green chilesstuffed with thick, melty cheese and vegetables, raisins, and white wine) from their extensive vegetarian menu.

Speaking of white wine, Sol Azteca also offers amazing beverages, including their signature margaritas (especially their Sol Spicy and Colorful Ghost varieties), specialty cocktails like the rum-based Day of the Dead and gin-y Madame Rivera, as well as homemadesangria, sparkling shelves of tequila,andwines from both sides of the border (all of which can help shut-in parents get a little stronger sense of vacation while they enjoy their meals!). And while the manager had to say “Yes, we have no bananas” when I asked for a dessert plate of plantains in their amazing rum-caramel sauce, the vanilla flanwas equally delicious and made for the perfect finale to our Mexican vacation.

So when you get hungry for some delicious, fresh, authentic food cooked and served by neighbors who are also trying to make it through these difficult days and when you are ready to celebrate a return to normalcy, Sol Azteca is un gran elección.