For over a year, my dear friend Elizabeth and I have been trying to find time in our busy schedules for dinner. We finally got together this weekend at Vivo on Manor Road in Austin.

The exterior of Vivo gives you no idea of the tropical oasis that awaits. Diners can choose to eat inside the restaurant or on the patio. If the weather is nice, I highly recommend the patio, with its gently-flowing fountains and lush greenery. The inside, which is a much more intimate atmosphere with candles, can be a bit too loud for conversation with friends on weekends.

While waiting for our table, we sat in the patio cocktail area and munched on chips and wonderful salsa. The salsa at Vivo is one of the best I’ve ever tasted. The smoky hot fresh flavor of the salsa paired with warm fresh chips is a hard combination to beat.

One of the main reasons we went to Vivo this weekend was because my friend absolutely loves their frozen margaritas with hibiscus puree. Vivo has an innovative margarita menu of prickly pear, strawberry, mango, raspberry or fresh cucumber.  It’s really hard to beat the visual beauty of the red hibiscus with a green lime and lavender flower garnish.

The special for the evening was grilled shrimp enchiladas with whole-grain rice and beans. Yum.

Vivo’s signature puffy tacos are always an excellent choice. This photo is from a previous visit, when I enjoyed the puffy taco and enchilada combo. Puffy tacos are two homemade corn tortillas fried to a puffy, golden perfection — filled with beef picadillo, shredded chicken, bean, guacamole or tofu — and topped with lettuce, tomatoes and cheese.

No matter how full you might be at the end of your meal, you cannot leave without this dessert. It is Vivo’s cheescake stuffed Mexican-style cannoli with fresh strawberries and blueberries in a lucious pool of melted Ghirardelli chocolate. Need I say more?

Vivo is also vegetarian friendly.

2015 Manor Rd
Austin, TX
(512) 482-0300
www.vivo-austin.com