Blue Mesa Grill By Jim White The joke used to go something like this, “Do you know the difference between a Mexican Restaurant and a Southwestern Restaurant? About $10.” The owners of Blue Mesa, Liz and Jim Baron, know the answer is much more complicated than that. They have refined their approach with each new location. Now with the opening of their third restaurant, in the wildly successful Lincoln Park across from NorthPark, the concept has evolved to Blue Mesa Grill. And, along with partner Jack Lavine (creator of Chili’s), they are gearing up to roll out more restaurants. I look for them to develop a chain that will define Southwestern cuisine for the casual dining market far beyond The Metroplex. Executive Chef Lisa Ballinger-recently corporate chef of Clyde’s Restaurant Group in Washington, D.C.-has been working on menu items for the new restaurant for about a year. The results are marvelous. The bold colors and smoky flavors of New Mexico come alive here. Appetizers are great for sharing or can be turned into a fine light lunch. Try the grilled Achiote Shrimp on Pan Fried Corncake ($6.95) for something light. I ordered a Mesa Classic Sampler ($6.95) from the entrée selections so my companions and I could try a range of dishes. This comes with their great homemade grilled bread, Mesa Panna-fashioned after Indian flatbread-blue corn chicken nachos and a taste of steak churrascarita. The churrascaritas are a Blue Mesa trademarked dish inspired by the South American tradition of cooking meats on a spit over an open fire. In this case, the meat is marinated and grilled on a skewer. You can also get these treats as a main course-meat, fish, vegetable, or seafood mixed grill ($6.95-$10.50). Other great items like the Navajo Chicken Salad ($6.95), blue corn enchiladas in a three chile red sauce ($5.95), red chile crusted salmon ($9.50) and slow roasted split chicken ($9.95) show the diversity of this creative menu. The décor is striking and the service is friendly. Add it to your short list of business lunch locations. Blue Mesa Grill 7700 W. Northwest Highway, just west of Central (214) 378-8686   Send me an Email: jwdineline@aol.com