655702 Tue Sep 29 06:15:08 -0700 2009 16 13 New England 0 5066258 Had dinner there last night and was pleasantly surprised. I am not well versed in Mexican food and typically do not go out of my way to find it. This restraunt may change that for me. The beef short ribs were exquisite and I am looking foward to the leftovers for lunch and dinner tonight. The wild mushroom and goat cheese empanadas were tasty and unique. Tres leches cake out of this world. The decor ir beautful! what are your opinions on Besito?? Tue Sep 29 06:15:09 -0700 2009 165754 askeenan 1 5068695 I am very anxious to try this place, as I just returned from Mexico. Here's the link to the advocate review: http://www.hartfordadvocate.com/article.cfm?aid=13988 Wed Sep 30 03:28:34 -0700 2009 5066258 219629 jquest619 1 5070988 I have been to Besito 3 times- twice w/my teens and once by myself. Every meal has been absolutely fantastic. I could go on and on about what we ordered, but suffice it to say that everything we ordered was amazing. The taste and presentation of each menu item was, like, WOW!!! 10/10. The kids made me promise to re-visit, and I reminded myself to either pester the chef for the recipe or send a letter to Bon Appetit for the recipie. Either way, all three visits were memorable! Wed Sep 30 18:54:08 -0700 2009 5066258 181204 stuck in Hartford County 2 5131239 I had the opportunity to go this weekend and I agree with SIHC about everything--definitely authentic, service was great, presentation was amazing and flavors of everything we had was soooo good. Well worth the visit. I cannot wait to return. Mon Oct 26 07:22:05 -0700 2009 5070988 219629 jquest619 1 5141766 Google's Street View isn't helpful, it just shows pre-Blueback West Hartford center. Where exactly is Besito? Thu Oct 29 18:42:37 -0700 2009 5066258 175458 ratbuddy 2 5142044 46 S Main St, West Hartford, CT 06107 (860) 233-2500 It's not too far from Crate and Barrell. Thu Oct 29 21:38:21 -0700 2009 5141766 282014 aldente1 2 5142421 If you drive down (or up) Main St. in West Hartford (south of Farmington Av. it's South Main, and north of Farmington Ave. it's North Main) you will see Town Hall (big white fancy looking buildings w/(ugly) statue of Noah Webster. Besito is kinda hard to find, but it is next to (to the right of) Flemmings Steak House (just after) the (ugly) statue on South Main St. There is a pretty main looking crossing in front- a light, a crosswalk, handicapped parking... Bring quarters and your patience- on street parking is next to impossible and the garages are OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive (don't even get me started on this...) There is a small patio in front of the restaurant and an awning that says "Besito". I would suggest to the powers that be that they re-work their sign. Fri Oct 30 06:12:36 -0700 2009 5141766 181204 stuck in Hartford County 3 5142737 Hmm, I lived on South Main Street for almost 20 years and haven't much clue what you are talking about. I guess I've been avoiding the whole area since the Blueback thing. Time to take a walk around and figure out what's what, I suppose. Fri Oct 30 08:16:32 -0700 2009 5142421 175458 ratbuddy 4 5146060 Sorry, in my opinion, the N.W. statue is ugly, bordering on creepily weird. Saw a movie Sunday morning, and paid $4.75 to park in the garage (plus the outrageous fee of $11.00 for the movie). Metered spots taken, plus I forgot quarters. Food was great, though. So who cares about the statue and parking woes. Had another amazing tapas experience at Barcelona tonite. Their (red) sangria is terrific, also. Walked into town to avoid parking headaches, and didn't have to see THAT STATUE! Sat Oct 31 20:20:04 -0700 2009 5142737 181204 stuck in Hartford County 5 5148052 The Cinema doesn't partially comp the parking like they do in New Haven? (You gotta ask at the ticket counter.) Sun Nov 01 19:23:18 -0800 2009 5146060 13170 rbailin 6 5154805 No. Never. However, the library gives you a stamp worth 2 hours, but I feel too guilty to do this (and the movies are usually more than 2 hrs long). Luckily I live only a couple of blocks from the Center so we usually walk. Wed Nov 04 07:59:27 -0800 2009 5148052 181204 stuck in Hartford County 3 5163926 A special thank you to you, Miss Laura. Your description was very helpful. Without knowing it's right after Crate and Barrel and before Fleming's, you could easily walk right by and miss Besito. Folks, note the yellow awning--that's Besito. I think it says Besito (in gold on the awning?) but it's like trying to ID marshmallows in a blizzard. ;) And, yes, parking is a challenge...definitely bring quarters! Sat Nov 07 15:47:48 -0800 2009 5142421 249664 kattyeyes 1 5163877 We went for lunch today Sat Nov 07 15:21:36 -0800 2009 5066258 249664 kattyeyes 2 5165412 Spill the details! What did you have? What did you think of it? Don't leave me hanging! Sun Nov 08 13:45:17 -0800 2009 5163877 181204 stuck in Hartford County 3 5165615 Oh, man! I had all the details in my post and apparently they didn't take. Grumble, grumble. Sometimes this site is not my friend! Besito was wonderful! We loved it and are eager to go back again. To start, we shared a small plate of the wild mushroom and goat cheese empanadas--light and delicious! I wondered what made the dough such an interesting deep orange color, so we asked. It's guajillo chiles. Nice! Even the chips and salsa to start are great--I love their roasted tomato salsa. So, so, so good. I love everything about Besito right down to the decor and the silverware. Do you not love those little spoons for the salsa and the lovely hammered flatware? Adult beverages--two big thumbs up on both the drinks I had (belated celebration)...first the red sangria with the tasty diced fruit, then a mango margarita made with fresh mango puree. We shared the enchiladas mixtas--a combo of chorizo, chicken and skirt steak. Now my only *minor* complaint (more like an observation) was I didn't notice any chorizo. The skirt steak and the chicken for sure, but didn't taste the chorizo. Still, the enchiladas were quite delicious. Again, to be fair, the meat was warm not hot, but still very good and so much better than any other Mexican restaurant where I've eaten in the state of Connecticut. The rice was especially moist and flavorful. Service was great, including a check-in from the manager asking if everything was good so far...and to let him know if it wasn't. Onto dessert. On our server's recommendation, I tried the pastel tres leches...I agree with askeenan. It was truly out of this world. But then...as if it's not enough that you've had dessert, out come the hot churros with the check and the little worry dolls. Now, clearly, I wasn't still hungry, but if you think I was gonna let a warm stick of cinnamony goodness hang out in that bag, no way. Much love and XOXO to Besito. Can't wait to get back...and I'm intrigued by the idea of brunch. Anyone tried it yet? Sun Nov 08 15:28:01 -0800 2009 5165412 249664 kattyeyes 1 5198874 We went last night for dinner, and can't say we will be rushing back, it was ok, but not great....Started with a basic margarita and a mango one, I didn't try the regular one but the mango was pretty good. The chips and salsa are nice. We had the empanadas as well which were ok, a very mild flavor of the goat cheese but overall not a ton of flavor, they were a nice color though as mentioned above. I was a bit confused with the sauce they served with it, pretty thin and not much flavor either... We had the short ribs, which were good and an enormous portion. Also tried one of the specials which was 2 soft tortillas with escobar? (described as a buttery white fish) and shrimp. Overall the flavor was good, but not enough fish and overgenerous on the sauce...the rice was nicer then most mexican places but still pretty dull, as were the beans. My favorite part of the night was the churros(?) served with the check, imho the best part of the meal. Service was not so great, our waitress tended to forget about us, and I know at other restaurants other wait people serve you drinks, food , etc...besides your waiter, but it just felt really choppy. I like having a waiter who is with me soup to nuts, but just my opinion... So, condidering the prices and the just ok outcome of the meal and the service, we will probably not be rushing back. Oh, and what bothered me, and I know some will say i'm being really fussy..the guacamole cart - at one point all the avocados fell on the floor were then picked up and put back in the basket (without a rinse) and proceeded to make more guac using the same knife to cut the avocado in half and score out the flesh...now I know this probably happens in the back of the restaurant all the time along with all other kinds of not so friendly food prep, but I guess I just don't want to see it table side... Sat Nov 21 14:49:52 -0800 2009 5066258 53762 geminigirl 2 5200610 I'm so sorry you had a so-so experience! At least you tried it. Maybe something was "off" that nite- we've only had great food there, but I know you must be disappointed. Plus, it is expensive. P.S. If you are given churros, try to order hot chocolate for dipping. It's delicious! Sun Nov 22 14:38:28 -0800 2009 5198874 181204 stuck in Hartford County