Vida Cantina

Apr 6th, 2024

It's okay, but I've had better mexican food from hole in the wall places in San Diego, California. The service was lacking, but I guess for the area. This is the "best" mexican food here sure. But I'd call Chipotle across the street more authentic Mexican.
Apr 4th, 2024

Since the moment I stuck a pin into Portsmouth, NH on the map, I knew I wanted to try Vida Cantina at least once as I settled into my new place. Lucky for me its literally across the street from my new abode. So after April's surprise snow storm, I did just that. My family and I were seated promptly and ordered food and drinks. The first to come out was my Agua Fresca, Horchata. Let me tell you, I had to quickly ask the waiter to cancel my kids drinks since I knew they wouldn't like it from the first sip. It was unsweetened and needs to be strained better. From there I ordered 3 tacos. I started with the Picadillo. It was basically hamburger meat with some homemade pickled jalapeos that again lack flavor. The meat could be seasoned more and Picadillo traditionally has potatoes and carrots. Second was the seared fish taco. That one was better! However the Guacamole on it looked like it's been sitting out all day. Last was my personal favorite wherever I go, the Carnitas. The meat was cooked to perfection! However when I asked the waiter for a side of salsa, because it's not a Taco without salsa, he brought out fresh diced tomato. Not even a hint of lime, cilantro or jalapeo to make it a zesty Pico de Gallo at least. I was very disappointed and my husband and I kept saying, "All it needs is some lime and salsa and it would make it better." My kids had the Pollo Enchiladas Verdes... the word enchilada literally means to be spicy. They took the opposite of that word and made the green sauce SWEET. Look, I get it, you're trying to work with the demographic but I think I shed tears when I took a taste test from my kids plate. Lastly I tasted the rice and beans. Which by the way you get charged extra for. The rice was your typical restaurant style rice and the black beans where OK. For being a Mexican restaurant I expected Pinto beans. Would I go back? Probably not. My final thought on Vida Cantina is that it's serving watered down Mexican food to a majority of people who don't know what authentic Mexican food is but I do give them credit for being inventive.But inventive doesn't mean you have to take out what makes it Mexican in the first place. I know the restaurant claims 'Modern Mexican' but I would call it a Fusion restaurant instead.
Apr 4th, 2024

Apr 2nd, 2024

Absolutely delicious , and friendly all around - nations roof tech
Apr 1st, 2024