Story by TISA MOORE/Photos by JASON GETZ
Northside restaurants are already revved up for Cinco de Mayo. Since 2007, Eclipse di Luna owner Eric Kline has thrown an annual party for the May 5 holiday commemorating Mexico’s 1862 defeat of France and Napoleon III at the Battle of Puebla.
Eclipse di Luna
Traditional Mexican-American lunch and dinner specials will mark the holiday, as well as homemade margaritas with flavor choices of grapefruit, peach, raspberry and strawberry. Premium skinny margaritas are made with Roca Patron and Patron Citronage.
DJ Fernando Fernandez kicks off an early evening party. A mariachi band, as well as salsa and meringue music, follows with a festive mix.
“We have a party beginning at 8 p.m.” Kline says. “Reservations are strongly encouraged, and a cover charge applies after 8 p.m. — that’s when the fun really starts and rocks on until about 2 a.m.”
Eclipse di Luna is generally known for its tapas menu. Some favorites are veal skirt steak, grilled asparagus, fried calamari, and sautéed shrimp and garlic.
4505 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody. 678-205-5862. eclipsediluna.net
Verde
General manager Stephen Worrell expects the festive atmosphere to swell as the holiday moves into evening hours. Beer specials and a drink menu of tasty margaritas will be served. An El Texas Margarita is mixed with El Charro Reposado tequila, Grand Marnier, house-made sour mix and fresh-squeezed orange juice. Health-conscious patrons can indulge an organic margarita made with El Charro’s blue agave tequila and organic agave nectar.
Tacos are the crowd pleasers at Verde, from pulled pork to buffalo tofu. Other dishes include quesadillas and salads,as well as sides such as black beans, rice and plantains.
1426 Dresden Drive, Brookhaven. 404-254-5319. verdetacos.com
Ceviche Taqueria & Margarita Bar
While they offer authentic Mexican food, Ceviche is known for its 20 tequila brands and an eclectic assortment of margaritas. Bartenders mix a Monkey Juice margarita with a choice of tequila, mango puree, coconut puree and house margarita mix. If spicy mango is more your style, Tanteo Jalapeno infused tequila will get your attention.
Cinco de Mayo celebrations vary each year at the Roswell restaurant, says marketing manager William Pennscott. “We do everything from having live bands to setting up additional bars to make sure no one gets thirsty,” he says.
With outdoor seating set next to the Canton Street sidewalk and a rooftop patio in the back, the party is on rain or shine.
963 Canton St., Roswell; 42 Milton Ave., Alpharetta. 678-461-4025. cevichetaqueria.com
Tijuana Joe’s Cantina
The Sandy Springs restaurant goes all in for the May holiday, with flamenco and folk dancers, a mariachi band and other live music on a big stage. The day includes children’s activities and T-shirt and hat giveaways.
It’s Tijuana Joe’s 15th annual Cinco de Mayo party, and manager Eduardo Rivera says come early — the rustic restaurant traditionally stays crowded all day and becomes especially busy at night, with an overflow to the large patio.
Classic lunch and dinner specials such as crab and shrimp enchiladas, mango chicken, black bean mango salad and a variety of quesadillas and nachos will be served, in addition to a special frozen margarita made with sangria.
7870 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs. 770-817-5617
Adobo Taqueria and Tequila Bar
The Johns Creek bar pours numerous premium cocktails, but manager Gino Valerieni says the Adobo margarita with Sauza Tres Generaciones Anejo tequila and Grand Marnier is usually the hit its Cinco de Mayo party.
“Adobo is just a neighborhood Mexican restaurant,” Valerieni says. “We’ll have our neighborhood band on the patio, and we’ll have a good time. But whatever you do, come early.”
Like Tijuana Joe’s, the restaurant will have T-shirt giveaways, as well as food and drink specials. Adobo has an extensive menu with chicken and cheese nachos; enchiladas; quesadillas; and vegetarian and seafood dishes.
11585 Jones Bridge Road, Johns Creek. 770-772-1077. adobotequilabar.com
insider Tip:
Teela Taqueria has drink specials and two bands planned for Cinco de Mayo. Call for reservations and let them know whether you would like an indoor or patio table; close to or away from the music.
227 Sandy Springs Place. 404-459-0477. teelataqueria.com
