Fernando's

14135 Southwest Freeway

When a new restaurant owner takes over a failed restaurants and makes no upgrades, it's probably a good indication that there wasn't very much money. But Fernando Echeverria didn't just lease 1000 square feet of space in a strip mall. Instead, the eponymous Fernando rented a huge honkin space formerly belonging to Ruth Chris Steakhouse.

Upon entering, we were greeted by the former hostess for Panda Garden on Highway 6. Fernando hasn't changed anything on the interior of the restaurant. He has, however, created a new menu with more affordable items from the latin world. Latin is pretty all-encompassing, so he has paella, pasta and a little bit of everything in between. I tried the chicken dish that came with rice, vegetables and a salad. Tender and flavorful, it was doused in a mushroom sauce. Fantastic.

If Fernando can figure out how to destroy the ghost of Ruth Chris and how to lower prices without lowering quality he'll have a shot at winning the lunch crowd. Dinner? Well, moderate prices will entice some people, but the stench of Ruth Chris would make me think twice about spending my dollars here when you can find good food and good atmosphere at so many other places.