Amy Potter fell in love with Mexico, its people and its family — “not stuff” — oriented society. After five years in Ohio she also liked that there was no snow. Sounds like a lot of expats here.
And then Potter took over a restaurant a few months after deciding to move here. But unlike a lot of us who might think of doing that, Potter has 12 years of restaurant experience as a manager in Applebees and Chili’s under her belt. And it shows. Not just anyone could have taken the intimate dining experience that has been a hallmark of Armando’s Hideaway and turn it into something new and more accessible, yet preserve the quality dining experience that made the eatery the place people wanted to celebrate their anniversary or birthday.
A native of California, Potter moved here five months ago from Ohio after having visited her parents at their Ajijic home a few times. She started looking for options and as soon as she walked into Armando’s she knew she wanted it. “It has a good atmosphere and a lot of potential,” she said.“People who come (to the area) for just a week or so think the old-style ’80s decor and the table-side Caesar salad and flambe preparations are cool — it’s a retro comeback.”
After three weeks working with Armando and his wife to learn the recipes, she took over the reins with the help of her full-time chef, Armando’s niece, Guille, who had worked in the kitchen with him for some time.
Their new Southwestern lunch specials and a delicious bread pudding with brandy sauce are mostly recipes from her mother, Faye, who also comes up with the weekend specials. The restaurant is now open at 11:30 a.m. for lunch. We tried a Chili Verde Pork Burrito, which was spiced mildly, topped with lettuce and tomato and served with refried beans laced with adobera cheese and white rice, all for 70 pesos. Armando’s dinner menu hasn’t changed too much and items on it can be ordered throughout the day.
Although her Spanish is rudimentary, Amy and her chef have both learned enough of each other’s tongue that things are running smoothly. The restaurant can comfortably seat 40 people and she is working on having a few extra tables for special parties. She has hired away her mother’s excellent young English-speaking housekeeper, Lupita Perez, as a server and another English-speaking waiter is on duty in the evenings so Amy and her mom have time to visit with the customers, even on a busy night.
Potter can whip up quality cocktails and is slowly teaching her staff to do so in order to offer her guests the best of her well-stocked bar.
Potter spent some of her childhood vacations in Mexico – near Rosarita, Baja California, and she enjoys stopping in for fish tacos at the Lake Taco restaurant on the libramiento. “It reminds me of the Mexico I grew up with.” Faye likes the french dip at Bruno’s. Potter has lived in five U.S. states and visited some of Mexico’s coastal resorts. Her younger brother is working with some Mexican friends restoring a fishing cooperative in a small Nayarit coastal village. With all her Mexican connections, she sees herself maybe opening a cantina within a few years.
Stop in to Armando’s and find out that the food and service is just as good as before and there’s more on offer as well. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Armando’s Hideaway. Privado Ocampo 18, between Ocampo and Zaragoza (two blocks off the carretera). Open 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Closed Tuesday. Tel. 766-2229.