. "0"^^ . "0"^^ . "5"^^ . "El Sombrero is THE place to enjoy Mexican food in Calgary.\n\nAnd I am saying here - enjoy, not \"get\". If you just drop in to grab some burritos from those foreign dudes, that's ok, but you will miss all the rest. Maybe you will even be annoyed by the lack of attention, but trust me - that is something completely reciprocal.\n\nLet's imagine you are entering the place, looking at everyone top-down, expecting the staff to jump around you and give you the best... Hmmm you know, I guess that won't happen. They shouldn't necessary be rude, depending on your own attitude, but you won't enjoy, for sure.\n\nNow let's imagine that you are dropping in with a bunch of friends, apparently knowing who's that gal on the photo, and why those funny ornaments and decorations on the walls, and smile cheerful, and greet the waiter, the kitchen dude, the bar dude - and overall embrace the whole place like it is your own home! Just don't be fake - believe in what you are doing, and you will be astounded by results.\n\nHow about getting a \"reserved\" table immediately freed especially for you and your friends, because it provides the most comfortable seating? Some free coffee? Bigger portions? Lots of smiles and lightning-fast and cheerful service? A guy with a guitar singing a song for you and your girlfriend? And all that for a price of a smile and mutual respect, not a tip (though a tip will be appreciated)?\n\nYou can get it all in El Sombrero, just open yourself and be a friend, not a customer. So easy for some of us, so difficult for many others... I guess that may be a great difference in releasing oneself from the boundaries of one culture to embrace another - and get twice more for your soul.\n\nJust in case - the food is great and authentic. Yes you can get something more expensive and elaborated in some other places, but what you'll get served in El Sombrero is a real stuff, and really good. And Corona is not the only \"Mexican beer\" out there, feel free to check out the rest of them.\n\nAnd smile. You will get smiles in return. :-)\n\nOh, and \"a guy with a guitar\" name is Rigoberto Carrabajal. Many of the songs you'll hear are his own compositions, and pretty cute - especially if you know Spanish."^^ . . "2"^^ . "2011-02-13T00:00:00"^^ . .