The cuisine is Mexican, specifically influenced by the owners' upbringing in Cuernavaca (south of Mexico City). Dishes are served tapas-style, and sharing is encouraged.

We chose the guacamole ($7), which they make to your specifications at your table; it comes with freshly made white corn tortillas, served piping hot and wrapped in a napkin. I know, "When in Rome..." but I didn't feel like having a margarita. It wasn't hot enough, though it was perfect to sit outside on the patio. Our server, a beautiful and zaftig Latina woman, praised the mojitos, and she was right. My friends had never had a proper one (they'd been using some abominable recipe from Sunset magazine with--egads!--mint syrup), and they were in heaven.

I ordered "pescado del dia," which was halibut with green beans and chorizo in a spicy, creamy, kick-ass sauce ($14). Along with a beautiful jicama salad ($8), Reesa ordered the chile relleno ($9?). The jicama came out stacked like Lincoln Logs; drizzled in a medium-spicy red sauce, they concealed a bed of pineapple and grapefruit as their base. Lovely execution and zinging with flavor. I will order it next time I'm there. The chile relleno was as fine a plateful of flavor as any of us had ever had. (Jeff didn't order anything, claiming not to be hungry, but as he tasted everything, he said, "The more I eat, the hungrier I'm getting." That inverted compliment meant that the flavors and aromas were kindling his appetite.)

I will be returning to Consuelo. Everything was very fresh, flavorful, and well-priced. Its location in Santana Row, especially with al fresco dining, means the people-watching is great, and it's a good spot for singles, as well. Often, live music is playing in one of the parks, and tenants of the condos above are sitting on their balconies or strolling the area.