Mavericks Cantina Maverick Nicholas St. Clair Mavericks Cantina

Mavericks Cantina Menu

Johns Walk
11030 Medlock Bridge Rd., Ste. 160 (Bell Rd.)
Johns Creek, GA 30097
470-395-6140
Map
Cuisine: California / Mexican
Fresh ingredients and some clever imagination raise the bar on Cal-Mex fare.
Openings: Lunch & Dinner Tues.-Sat.


Mavericks Cantina Restaurant Review:


Owners Nicholas St. Clair, former sous chef at California's Los Olivos Café, made famous in the film "Sideways," and his wife Alison are also proprietors of Antebellum in Flowery Branch. Joining them at Mavericks are Greg and Gayle Hohman (she does the desserts). Both couples are natives of Southern California, and the idea for this restaurant was to re-create some of the dishes that had enjoyed there. The atmosphere is casual-beach, and the complimentary chips and mildly spicy, chunky-textured salsa launch the fare in the right direction. Start with the chicken popcorn soup, a frisky take on chicken tortilla soup, with sour cream and popped corn for garnish. We also like the mango and jícama salad, adorned with radishes and avocado, and moistened with just enough vinaigrette. Among the tacos, go for the grilled steak version, its just-pink meat enlivened with salsa verde and pico de gallo. The pork belly torta is right on target, with chipotle mayonnaise and pickled onions, topped with a fried egg. Chicken enchiladas with potato and jack cheese and the same salsa verde are rich and filling. For dessert, we suggest the tres leches cake. Wine isn't as important as beer in this fresh-fare, relaxed spot, but the salt-rimmed pomegranate margarita does play nice with the food.