Xicohténcatl

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A beacon of joy to passersby on lower Stockbridge Road () in Great Barrington, Mass., the dandelion-colored wraparound porch of Xicoht�ncatl (Shee-ko-ten-cat) is the ultimate late-summer stop-off for fans of spicy Mexican fare and icy margaritas. Set just far enough from the road and shrouded with verdant plants, the multicolored hacienda offers an expansive selection of authentic and creative fare prepared by Tlaxcala-born chef-owner Angel Espinoza Jiminez.

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Among a dizzying array of variations on the country�s quintessential dishes� quesadillas, enchiladas, fajitas�are creations showcasing the likes of spiced beef and lamb, slow-cooked pork, buttery jumbo shrimp, and red snapper grilled whole, plus an impressive array of plant-based entr�es, such as the house favorite spinach-stuffed chiles rellenos. A range of zesty homemade salsas and no fewer than five slow-cooked mole creations (of which celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse is a fervent fan) born of top-secret family recipes betray Jiminez�s ancestral influence, sought out by adventurous diners in search of a genuine south-of-the-border experience. Flamenco guitarists strolling from table to table on weekend nights add to the festive atmosphere, and Xicoh�s stable of fifty top-shelf tequilas is the crema fresca on the cake. [SEPTEMBER 2009]