JAKE AND JASON DE PAUL: TEQUILA BAR WITH DELICIOUS FOOD >>>

If you like it hot, and we all know that you do, Matador in Tacoma delivers food to the table primed and ready to sear the insides of your mouth. They put the wails in jalapeño at this downtown corner hot spot where long thick curtains at the entrance muffle your screams to the outside.

Why We Go: The ambiance is spectacular. It's sexy. It's spicy. It's beauty on the walls and holding drinks. It's the perfect first date spot or a rich field on a weekend night. Next, this flirtatious high-end Tex Mex restaurant offers more than 75 different types of tequila from all over the globe. Add intelligent bartenders who sling connoisseur phrases such as "hints of banana" and "spicy alcohol finish" without sounding like complete tools with table service that doesn't to break land speed records, but kills with kindness, and you have the perfect experience.

What We Eat: The braised carnitas are a slice of mild heaven.  Slow cooked with orange, allspice, cinnamon and bay leaves and served with black beans, rice, sour cream, guacamole and pico de gallo, the pork shoulder arrived tender and meaty with nice accents of fat and a side of flour tortillas. The chorizo verde enchiladas are rich and gooey sporting a deep spiciness to the thick cream sauce.

What We'd Change: A couple of captain's list worthy wine choices wouldn't hurt. That's about it. Well, maybe cushions on the hard wood seating surfaces, but that might be a genetic issue with us.

[Matador, 11-2 am daily, 721 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.627.7100]