Vega Hits The Spot

Now that Vega has had a few months to settle in and we’ve had the chance to have lunch and dinner there several more times, we have to say we love it. The waterwall, bare tree branches, funky chandeliers and bright orange and purple décor make us feel like we’ve left Hartsdale -- and the drinks, the food and the reasonable prices are all reasons to visit often.

Though there’s usually a crowd inside, we have always gotten a warm greeting and waited no more than five minutes to be seated. Following in the footsteps of Rui from Oporto, Vega offers delicious white wine sangria, a sweet fruity and powerful mix. For appetizers I recently ordered the chicken tortilla soup which was a flavorful tomato-based soup chock full of chicken, avocado and crisp tortillas. We also tried the hot and spicy Shrimp Al Ajillo, which were jumbo shrimp sautéed in garlic olive oil and crushed red peppers. All I can say about the shrimp, is that if you share the dish, you’ll probably start to fight over it.

The guacamole, produced at a cart at your table is also a good bet and will fill you up before your main course arrives. The tortilla chips are made on the premises and they are crisp, slightly salty and fairly addictive.

For entrees, Vega offers traditional Mexican fare such as tacos, fajitas, enchiladas, quesadillas and burritos as well as a full menu of more sophisticated plates. Choose from lemon chipotle chicken, chile rellenos, steak tequilla, chili rubbed pork chops or shrimp veracruz, to name a few. I ordered the steak quesadilla with onions, tomatoes and chihuahua cheese and my companion tried the burrito shown here which was tasty but too much to finish. On another night we had the tinga de pollo, a tasty plate of shredded chicken, chipolte peppers and salsa rojo. Portions are all very generous and it’s good to go with a group so you can sample several items.

Vega is also open for a very-reasonably priced lunch. There are burgers, veggie burgers, a steak sandwich, a Cuban pressed sandwich, chicken fajita sandwich, a taco salad, quesadillas and more, all priced from $8-$11. The flexible kitchen also permitted us to order from the dinner menu so you can have it your way. For kids there’s Mexican pizza, chicken fingers, and French fries.

Vega has hit its stride and now it’s up to us to support them and eat local. If you don’t want to go to them, they’ll even deliver to you.

Vega Mexican Cuisine
187-189 Hartsdale Avenue
Hartsdale, New York
914-723-0010
vegamexican.com