To step into Mexicali Rose Bethel is to be instantly cheered. Walls splashed in bright shades of orange and green, with crisp white accents, and natural light flooding the room work to lift any low spirits. Upbeat Latin music plays in the background, and multicolored party banners flutter from the ceiling. Decorative sombreros and striped serapes (Mexican blankets) draped over the backs of chairs, along with a small selection of pottery figurines and wall hangings, give a south-of-the-border flavor to the décor.A Sampling From The Menu:Appetizers: Choose from ten appetizers to start a meal at dinnertime, such as huitlacoche quesadilla, made with the corn mushroom delicacy in a handmade blue corn tortilla, queso oaxaca, and fresh salsa; or sopecitos, a fresh, thick tortilla with beans, chorizo sausage, avocado, and cheese.Soup: Sopa de frijol (black bean soup) and a soup of the day are always on the menu.Salad: The Mexicali Caesar Salad, made with grilled chicken and cojita cheese, topped with a jalapeño Caesar dressing is popular.Lunch and Dinner: An extensive list of tamales, enchiladas, burritos, soft or crispy tacos, quesadilla, iron skillet fajitas, and chimichangas. Rice and eggs are tucked into the Jalisco Burrito, with chorizo, cheese, and a jalapeño mayonnaise sauce.Especialidades: 14 Mexicali "Especialidades" include the Mexican street tacos: choose meat of fish, served with onion, cilantro, scallions, radishes, limes, salsa verde and a side of rice and beans. Salmon Del Meson is marinated filet of salmon with a chipotle butter over black bean puree. Hungry diners enjoy the Tour de Tacos, a large platter of eight pastor, asada, carinitas, and cochinita tacos.Desserts: House made desserts like the chocolate tamales or churro, a crisp, deep-fried pastry rolled in cinnamon sugar, are a sweet way to end the meal.Children's Menu: Yes. On Sundays, one child per adult eats for free.Bar: More than 60 brands of tequila; Corona and Dos Equis beers, and other domestic and imported beers, available by the bottle. Wines from around the world, available by the glass or the bottle. Happy hour, Sunday through Thursday, from 3 to 6 pm, features half-price drinks and $5 appetizers (except for the Botana Campechana). Daily drinks specials are Monday, $4 house margaritas; Tuesday, $5 sangria; Wednesday, $4, house wines; and Thursday, $3, all beer. Non-alcoholic orchata, a ground almond-based drink, or hibiscus infused Aqua de Jamaica water are refreshing alternatives.Price range: Appetizers, $7.25 to $12.95; main course dinner entrees range from $10.95 to $20.Mexicali Rose Bethel, 68 Stony Hill Road (Route 6) in the Mountain Laurel Plaza, is open Monday through Saturday, 11 am to 10 pm; Sunday, 11 am to 9 pm. Bar is open Monday through Saturday, 11 am to 1 am; Sunday, 11 am to midnight. Reservations for parties of five or more. To make a reservation, place a takeout order, or for catering information call 203-744-6666. Find Mexicali Rose on Facebook at Facebook.com/mexicalirosebethel, or visit mexicalirosebethel.com for more information. The Mexicali Rose app for iPhone and Androids makes it easy to know about daily specials, view the full menu, and earn rewards with the virtual punch card.

Managed by Carlos Toscano and co-owned with partners Karen and Alan Karng, Mexicali Rose is a separate, but amicable, business from Newtown's Mexicali Rose.

Careful division of the 3,800 square-foot space prevents a cavernous feel. Two dining areas are separated by a comfortable bar area, with upholstered chairs pulled up to wood-topped tables, and a wall-length booth for comfortable seating, in the main dining room. Tall bar tables and 12 stools at the bar make up seating in the bar area. The bar is known for its housemade sangria, and unusual offerings like the tamarind or jalapeño margaritas.

Beyond that area is the party room, where up to 50 guests can enjoy a customized party menu. Catering can be arranged for pickup for offsite parties, as well.

Mexicali Rose Bethel is known for its authentic Mexican recipes featured in its new menu, including pozole and the slow simmered pork dish cochinita pibil, featured in lunch and dinner specials. Guacamole is prepared tableside, as are the Azteca margaritas, made with fresh-squeezed lime juice and premium tequila.

Kitchen staff is happy to adjust the level of heat in a dish, and oblige other dietary needs. Vegetarian options and many gluten-free items are on the menu. Friendly, knowledgeable waitstaff is ready to advise newcomers to Mexican cuisine. Dinner and lunch specials are featured every day.

Thirty years in the restaurant business has not dampened Mr Toscano's enthusiasm for bringing the flavors of Mexico to new and longtime customers. "It's a lot of work, but at the end of the day, this is what I like to do. It's gratifying to see how happy people are with a meal," he said. "That's what makes it fun."

Any item on the lunch or dinner menu can be prepared for takeout. Call in advance for larger orders.

[mappress mapid="128"]