Ah, those Summer nights!

Tell me more, tell me more!

Ok, so the Grease reference may not be entirely applicable, because the food is anything but greasy, but summer nights on the covered patio at Rosario's in Edgehill Village are worthy of breaking into song. Not to mention the half-price margaritas!

As a native Texan who grew up in Oklahoma and has a serious affection for Mexican food, Nashville was a rude awakening. Great music, great meat and threes, terrible Mexican food. Don't get me wrong. I appreciate the wonder of the Jim Nacho and Nolensville Road has its fair share of authentic tasty tacos; but when you've grown up on the fiery fresh flavors of Tex-Mex right down the street from the ultimate Mexican food mecca, Ted's Cafe Escondido in Edmond, OK., the bar is set pretty high. My search for great Mexican food in Nashville has been ongoing. For six years I've struggled through enchilada after soggy enchilada, occasionally finding a local gem like Baja Burrito, which is in a class all by itself. But as far as straightforward Mexican restaurants were concerned, none in Nashville had captured my heart.

Until one day I happened to drive by Rosario's. A random sighting, a pleasantly serendipitous event which would forever change my view of the culinary map of Nashville. It wasn't crowded. A few people on the covered patio enjoying chips and salsa, but it was a beautiful day and the patio looked inviting. I decided I would take my parents there when they came to visit.

Edgehill Village is a strange place. A small strip of funky boutiques, a bakery, that crazy bubble tea shop, Edgehill Studios Cafe and performance venue, and Rosario's Mexican restaurant nestled in the middle of a residential neighborhood. As we sat on the patio we saw families with strollers, sweaty joggers with ipods and people on their front porches just enjoying the evening. We enjoyed our half-price pitcher of margaritas, often a happy hour special, and the chips with two kinds of salsa. The mild has a unique flavor you just have to taste to understand and the hot, which isn't really that hot for a midwestern gal, has a more sweet, tomato-y flavor. And for all you guacamole fans out there, Rosario's has a great version with big chunks of fresh avocado in every bite. Mmmm.

Everyone at the table got something different. The shrimp quesadillas were a big hit, packed full of shrimp unlike some places that only give you a handful in each dish, and the chicken chimichanga with the green sauce (more highly recommended than the red sauce, even by the waiters, but they'll bring you both if you want to find out for yourself) was big enough to have leftovers.

But the real reason to go to Rosario's? Two words: fish tacos. I don't even like fish tacos all that much, generally speaking. They're usually made with greasy, breaded mystery fish and some kind of limp cabbage swimming in a sauce of questionable origin. Not at Rosario's. They make theirs with blackened Tilapia filets topped with a beautiful mango salsa, southwestern slaw, guacamole and a balsamic glaze. That's right, I said balsamic glaze! The colors alone are worth the trip. With brilliant oranges, purples and greens, this dish is tasty before it hits your tongue. I have been back three times since that first visit, and the fish tacos have been great every time (because I just can't bring myself to NOT get them! Maybe one day...).

Rosario's specializes in a higher form of Mexican food, so the prices are a little higher than your average Mexican restaurant but certainly not unmanageable, especially for the quality of the food and the atmosphere. So if you are looking for a little Summer lovin' to have you a blast, head to Rosario's, sit on the patio and toast to those Summer nights.