While Rochester has its fair share of quality Mexican restaurants, many still mourned the loss of El Parian Mexican Grille (3070 W. Henrietta Road, now Nick Tahou's Hots) when it closed last year. Those patrons will be glad to know that its former manager, Ramon Herrera, has opened a new Mexican grill less than a mile away. Mariachi Mexican Grill opened its doors earlier this month in Henrietta in a former DiBella's location.

Herrera has transformed the small sub shop space into a rich, warm, and cozy restaurant by adding mustard-colored tufted leather booths, a large, colorful mural, and adobe-style interior roofing that juts out over the bar and an adjoining wall. The jam-packed seven-page menu features a wide variety of lunch and dinner combination plates as well as a la carte choices, appetizers, desserts, and a children's menu.

For starters, diners should try the El Mariachi dip, a gooey cheese concoction made even more delicious by the addition of grilled shrimp, chicken, steak, and chorizo. It's served with pico de gallo and tortillas, but there's no shame in digging in with a spoon (or your face). Entree selections include the expected - fajitas, quesadillas, chimichangas, and burritos - but those looking to try something different should consider the grilled catfish tacos or chilaquiles. Traditional Mexican desserts are also offered, including flan, sopapilla and fried ice cream. As for beverages, Mariachi Mexican Grill serves up eight varieties of tequila, which can be ordered as shots or in foot-high margaritas. Daiquiris, mixed drinks, beer, and wine are also available.

To find Mariachi Mexican Grill in City Newspaper's online Restaurant Guide - including a map, user reviews, and more - click here.

Mariachi Mexican Grill is located at 400 Jefferson Road. Prices range from $7 to $14. It is open Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. For more information, call (585) 424-4411 or visit its page on Facebook.

Books and beans

International franchise Tim Hortons opened its 33rd location in the Rochester area inside the Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County (115 South Ave.) last week. The coffee and doughnut shop is situated in the space formerly housed by Simply Crepes, which closed in October of last year. In addition to the hot beverages and doughnuts the Canadian franchise is known for, it also serves a variety of sandwiches, paninis, wraps, and soups. The library location is open Monday-Friday 6 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information, visit timhortons.com.

52 pick up

Looking for a gift for a foodie, frugal, or hard-to-buy-for friend? Check out the newly available Rochester Dining Cards. The project started last year in Buffalo when a group of friends decided to put a creative spin on the coupon. The stack of 52 cards features 50 $10 off coupons and two "wild cards" for local restaurants like Tala Vera, Prime Steakhouse, Label 7 Eatery and Bar, and The Old Toad. Each coupon is good until the end of 2012 and requires a minimum $30 purchase at each establishment. The deck costs $20 and $1 of each sale benefits the Bivona Child Advocacy Center. They can be purchased at several local retailers including Tops Friendly Markets and Barnes & Noble, or online at citydiningcards.com.

Seasonal cooking

The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County (249 Highland Ave.) has two seasonally appropriate upcoming cooking classes. The first, "Soup, Soup and More Soup," is being offered on two Wednesdays, November 30 and December 7, at 6 p.m. for $35. The class is being led by Bill Park, executive chef at the Rochester Chapter of American Red Cross, and will feature hands-on cooking of several varieties of comforting soups. The second course, "Back to Your Roots - Vegetable, That Is," is being led by Rosita Caridi-Miller, chef and owner of Cibi Deliziosi (3894 Rush-Mendon Road) and takes place Monday, December 5; the cost is $30. Participants will learn how to incorporate root vegetables into entrees, sides, and appetizers in anticipation of the upcoming holiday celebrations. For more information, call (585) 461-1000 or visit mycce.org.

Closings

South Wedge bakery Eco Bella has closed. It was known for its wide variety of vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free baked goods. The reason for its closing is unknown, though the owners posted the following message to the business's website: "Eco Bella Bakery has closed, thanks to all of our wonderful customers for the past three years."

Upscale restaurant Peter Geyer Steakhouse, formerly situated within the Brookwood Inn (800 Pittsford-Victor Road) in Pittsford, has closed. The restaurant went under new ownership early last year. It was known for its dry-aged and specialty cuts of beef and seafood. The Brookwood Inn says it that will soon announce a new restaurant to take over the space.

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