Hacienda de Vega

San Diego County has an abundance of Mexican restaurants but a shortage of places that specialize in Mexican Mexican -- food one would encounter in an upscale Mexico City venue. Hacienda de Vega is a 1930s adobe home whose grounds spread over 1 1/2 acres and feature a lovely garden with a large pond and waterfall. This oasis-like escape is located just south of downtown Escondido. You can start with one of several margarita options -- the tamarind-flavored variety offers a vibrant twist on this classic -- and move on to an appetizer sampler that will prime your taste buds with potato/chorizo quesadillas, sopes, and seviche. Entrees include robust dishes such as chicken in mole sauce, seared pork loin lathered in a beer-and-potato sauce, and zesty pork carnitas wrapped up like an enchilada.

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