ZAPATA MEXICAN COCINA — Restaurant in Fitchburg

I tried the Zapata Mexican Cocina for the second night of the soft opening....absolutely phenomenal cuisine...blown away by the complex and unique dishes and taste combinations--unlike anything else I've ever tried. I'll try to share my experience, but it is a must try on your own sort of experience! ---Parking out front along Lunenburg St, you can see clearly into the restaurant from all the new open storefront etched glass...and approaching there is a sandwich sign 'soft opening!" and nice new planters filled with flowers. Entering you can here the bustle of busy-ness at the height of dinner time, and we were graciously greeted by Michel Coronado, the Executive Chef. Our server, Ulysses, seated us at a rustic 4 top table with simple wood menus. It is not necessary to know Español fluently to read the menu--- but with a little Spanish knowledge you can more deeply appreciate the names of the dishes. I Chose the Tiradito De Salmon--smoke salmon, green apple, sweet syrup, mint, cucumber, cherry tomatoes and honeydew cantaloupe. The meal was presented like a Salmon Sashimi plate (thin cut sushi)... and the salmon had a hint of smoke, which was combined with a sweet syrup and minty cucumber for an incredibly balanced and unique taste combination --- the sweetness matched the smoke and just tasted unlike anything I've ever had, delicious. The perfect portion for me as well. Guacamole for a starter---was likely one of the best (if not THE best) guac I've ever had.... and paired with the tortilla chips that were medium thick and just salty enough... YUM. The pico/salsa was very tasty ---and a tad bit spicy. La Taquiza section on the menu is a choice of options for a homemade 3 corn tortilla taco filling.... Nopal was chosen, which is cactus, mushrooms, spinach, queso fresco, pico de gallo and an avocado mousse--- i heard it was very unique and Delicious.... cactus!!?! amazing. To end the experience make sure to add DESSERT to your order....and bring friends so you can try all 3 options on the menu---because dessert was just as unique an experience as the dinner. Arroz con leche with a creme confrit? and fresh berries--- the plainest of the options but still absolutely delicious--- simple, elegant, sweet and delicious. Then the smokey churros---wow! Served in a brown paper bag---still smoking when you open it---filled with fresh sugar cinnamon churros --- that has this creamy texture inside that has that incredible smokey flavor---that the sweetness perfectly balances. The final dessert was a Pastel de elote--- this Sweet Corn Bread pudding esque plate with homemade ice cream with crushed nuts and fresh berries---WOW----tastes like cornbread but also tastes like a bread pudding dessert---the taste is so familiar--yet foreign.... delicious....and weird.... all at the same time. The balanced flavor combinations are a must try at Zapata..... I cannot wait to try...

DO NOT DO TAKEOUT!!! They were kind enough to throw in chips and salsa for my $52 order that was quoted at $63 over the phone. I got home, the bag felt very light. I opened it up to find my three orders separately boxed in 5 by 7 inch boxes at about an inch and a half deep. The boxes were not stuffed, these were very tiny portions. In the description, it makes it sound like you're going to get vegetables. We got none. I'm almost tempted to try dining in since the pictures looks so aesthetically pleasing. But in my opinion, they should be putting the same effort into their takeout orders. It was a first and last time purchase for me. I'm 5 foot 2 115 lbs, no reason for that money I should be left hungry. If the vegetables are pureed and mixed in, they should say that in their menu. This strayed too far off the beaten path for me. I placed my order thinking I was going to be full, I'm better off with my hole in the wall places. Most of the Spanish food I have enjoyed comes in portions meant to please, and if they say there are vegetables served with my food, they are solid and have a presence.

CHILE RELLENO — 17

Chile poblano, beef, pear, peach, garlic, queso cotija, spinach, green or red sauce, cilantro, camote sauce

This was a hamburger stuffed green bell pepper with a small amount of sauce on the bottom that had the taste and texture of a sweet potato. It was served with thin red sauce that was not spicy and because it's texture I wound up having to dump the entire thing into the takeout box and mix it with the food. The sauce was more confusing and out-of-place than anything, after dumping it in I couldn't really taste its presence. There was no point in putting it on the plate.

POLLO EN SU MOLE — 18

Chicken breast, mole poblano, sesame, baby corn, toasted tortilla, onion, avocado, red vein sorrel, queso fresco, beans, radish

This was a piece of chicken over small bed of rice. The rice had small amount of pureed beans with no texture to them, again it was liquidized. Mole sauce is hard to do and it was well executed. I would have liked more sesame seeds because it was a star of the show. But again, no veggies.

*RES EN PILONCILLO — 18

Braised beef, salsa piloncillo, fire tortilla, carrots, zucchini, broccoli, pea tendril

This was 3 discs about 4 or 5 bites per disc. Flavors were fresh and good. Again, no veggies. It seemed to be served atop plantains, which I liked. But this could easily qualifies worlds...

We were visiting from our G.W.L stay and the food was 5 stars, the service was 5 stars and the atmosphere was 5 stars for a small and cozy dine in experience.

I wanted to shout out Daniel for his great service, his patience & personable vibe turned a dine in experience into something different and someone just proud of their family and what I would call the American dream.

To make a long story short Danny's brother who runs the social media does a great job we had this place circled on our must tries and Danny absolutely delivered on everything. this place for my first time had me dancing to the flavors on my first bite on a dish made fresh and from scratch ( weekend special mafe fresh on a tuesday, birria popussa), the tacos and chicken that i and my family raved about. The food is must try & must eat.

The experience of learning about the business was incredible from the moment we checked in to be seated till we left the staff have alot of pride in what they do, the food and business proved this too me.

Truly looking forward to 1 more visit before we head home, wish it was closer because no doubt we would be regulars

Thanks to my new friend Daniel for the great time & food so delicious we just ate and enjoyed. Thank you for your patience with my family and my friends family.

A+++ in every category.

I took this photo when Daniel was talking about his family in conversation with me, his father (middle left) started this business with his family in mind living his dream and I hope that he knows the hard work pays off for his family. My friends family my family and myself thank you & your family for making us feel like...