Fiesta on the patio                   MAY 20, 2004

Dining alš Fresco is one of lifešs sweetest and most simplistic pleasures. And it is quite a delight at Carlitašs Mexican-Italian Café & Spirits, located at 4709 Douglas Road. Carlitašs is a friendly inviting café with the extra bonus of outdoor patio dining. When first pulling up, one feels like this is going to be a neat place to dine. The staff welcomed us with a smile and we were directed to sit at a table of our choice inside or outside on the patio. Of course, after a cold NW Ohio winter, outside dining was the only option. The patio area, a small yet intimate setting, is appointed with six round tables and chairs comfortable for two to six diners and a bar used to service patio diners. To my surprise, our server presented us with complimentary nacho chips and Carlitašs home made salsa. This practice is a nice touch and one that has been forgotten by most of today's fast paced eating establishments. As an executive chef, it is always a challenge to find enough variety on a restaurantšs menu to get me excited about ordering.  At Carlitašs, the menu is a treat to explore because of its many diverse items. The name was a given when pulling into the parking lot.  Mexican-Italian Café & Spirits is only a hint to the real story of the menušs variety. A moderately priced selection of appetizers, Mexican and Italian specialties with plenty of homemade sauces to compliment the entrees makes choosing what to order a delightful challenge.  Carlitašs, owned by Liz Cortez a Whitney High School alumnus, brings café dining to a higher level. Special touches like chilled salad plates and hot diner plates create a dining experience not often seen in a neighborhood café. While dining, one feels this is truly a place where regulars come to enjoy the food and spirits, however, a new patron feels like an old timer when being greeted by the staff. Whether you choose the patio to dine or just hang out at the bar, the friendly and knowledgeable staff, including the big guy behind the bar everyone just knows as Whiskey, makes you feel like you are one of the regulars. And to my surprise, Carlitašs is also very family friendly. Every Sunday, Carlitašs entices families to dine by only charging one cent per pound for children to eat. They just seem to cover all the bases from the casual, comfortable atmosphere, knowledgeable staff, family and children friendly, to carryout service for businesses wanting a buffet style luncheon delivered to their door.  Carlitašs Mexican-Italian Café & Spirits is open Monday through Friday for meals and appetizers until Midnight and spirits up to 2:30 a.m. Saturday, meals are served from 11a.m., appetizers from Midnight to 1am and spirits up to 2:30am. Sunday, meals are from Noon to 11pm and spirits up to 1am. Carlitašs offers daily specials, vegetarian items and items available for carryout. Major credit cards are accepted and you can place a carryout  order by calling 419-471-1212.