Eldorado Tex Mex Bar and Grill in Bayside recently opened to rave reviews by this "foodie." Finally, there's an upscale, yet comfortable restaurant for fine dining and fantastic drinks that's convenient to all, with plenty of well-lit parking. Owner Daniel Colombo has years of experience in a successful chain of restaurants he and his family created some years ago and Eldorado is the happy culmination.

Eldorado Tex Mex Bar and Grill has a beautiful interior, with cool, terracotta floors, warm, dappled walls adorned with pottery, candles and soft lighting. The lounge area, at the front of the restaurant is appointed with cozy furniture and colorful draperies, creating an intimate atmosphere in which to enjoy some of their fabulous cocktails and appetizers.

The entire staff is very professional and will do everything possible to ensure a pleasant dining experience. Our server, John, brought us a frozen pomegranate margarita, bursting with fresh fruit juices, lime and tequila. There are countless other concoctions from around the globe, such as a Cuban mojito, flavored with fresh mint leaves, and a Peruvian favorite called pisco, flavored with freshly mashed raspberries and blackberries and liqueur. Feel free to stop in at the lounge any evening just for one of these exotic drinks.

You'll want, however, to try their excellent cuisine, which originates in the American southwest, Mexico and Spain. It's important to note that everything at Eldorado is homemade, even the warm tortilla chips and salsa. All dishes are prepared on the spot and a little patience is quickly rewarded when you try their signature shrimp, a la plancha, (on the grill) appetizer. Plump jumbo shrimp are rubbed with spices, grilled and served with pinto beans and garlic tequila sauce. Fried calamari get a new twist when they are dredged in crunchy corn meal and served with roasted chili sauce ($7). Light and delicate crab cakes are served with lemon aioli and chipotle sauce ($8). For something really different, try the tortilla soup—just out of this world ($4).

"Sure, we'll have another round of those fantastic drinks," I said, as we waited for Chef Carlos to deftly prepare our main courses. Each dish arrived on brightly colored, hand-painted earthenware platters and was presented as if it were artwork. We were nearly overwhelmed by the wonderful aromas and very generous portions before us. My platter of Alambre Mexicano consisted of two huge skewers threaded with large, juicy chunks of tender filet mignon, vegetables and chorizo sausage over a bed of Mexican rice and beans. The same dish can be prepared with tender, marinated chicken or jumbo shrimp. At just $18, this meal was a bargain, especially considering that there was enough for another meal. Tampiquena is a tender rib eye steak, dry-rubbed with a blend of spices and grilled to order. The accompanying garlic fries and roasted pepper salad make this a very special meal indeed ($20). Char-grilled salmon is another hearty choice, served with black bean salsa and rice. Juicy char-grilled pork chops with sweet chili peppers and succulent baby back ribs with homemade barbecue sauce also adorn the menu.

Spanish paella, nearly overflowing with shrimp, clams, scallops, mussels and chorizo in saffron-scented rice and lobster broth will also entice you. This feast is also reasonably priced at $20 for a very generous portion. A fine selection of fresh fish is available as well, with daily specials of red snapper sautéed with crab meat, red, green and yellow peppers, white wine and lemon or sea bass Vera Cruz, oven-roasted with garlic, oregano, olives, jalapenos and lemon.

At Eldorado Tex Mex Bar and Grill even the desserts are homemade and done to perfection. Sautéed bananas with raspberry sauce and vanilla ice cream are simply sublime, as is the rum raisin rice pudding with ground cinnamon and Eldorado cheesecake with warm chocolate sauce. A brownie stampede is served warm with melting vanilla ice cream for a decadent treat and the coffee is full-bodied and rich.

In addition to the spacious dining room and lounge, Eldorado Tex Mex Bar and Grill has a well-situated private party room. The room, which holds up to 30, is well-lit and beautifully decorated, making it an ideal spot for a shower, graduation party, anniversary party or birthday celebration. Call right away to reserve a special day.

Eldorado Tex Mex Bar and Grill is open seven days a week for dinner only, from 5 p.m. A special Sunday brunch is served from noon till 3:30. The lounge is cozy and intimate and open until the wee hours so stop in any night for one of their fruity, exotic drinks, wine, beer or a favorite cocktail. Alexander, the friendly manager, will be happy to accommodate you and your guests. Let's welcome Eldorado to the Queens family.

Eldorado Tex Mex

Bar And Grill

196-50 Northern Blvd. Bayside

229-8300