It is not a secret that La Hacienda by Richard Sandoval at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is my favorite Mexican restaurant of all times. If you browse my blog you will find countless references to La Hacienda, my first blog post almost 4 years ago, was a review of dinner at La Ha.

So if you asked me a few months ago, if I would have changed a thing about La Hacienda, it would have been: absolutely not! Food is amazing, decor, ambiance, music, lighting...everything was perfect to me. However after seeing the extreme makeover that La Ha underwent, my answer today is different. Let me tell you why.

Modern, Renewed Spaces

The new La Ha space is just breathtaking. It was great to begin with, but the design team just went above and beyond and made the space absolutely sleek, refined and functional. The New La Hacienda entrance is stunning, with beautiful craftsman work and a massive full bar to go as a backdrop. I plan on coming just to sit at the bar and hang out there, the bar at La Hacienda is no longer the place you sit while you wait for your table to be ready, but an invitation to sit, relax and sip. Talking about sipping, let me tell you all about their new cocktails and tequila selection.

Spiced up Beverage Menu

When you visit a Mexican restaurant, you can rest assured that cocktails will include lots of tequila, mezcal and fun combinations. Usually, when I go out to dinner, I will have a drink but I can do fine without one too. After trying the new cocktail selection at La Hacienda, i know I will always have a drink or two and I know what it will be. Their new cocktails include the Lavander, a cocktail I'm obsessed with; it's a beautiful and tasty blend of tequila, lime, lavender syrup and smoke. It is not only gorgeous but perfectly balanced.

All-time favorites meet new Must-try

One the things I love about the revamped menu is the perfect blend of dishes that are a staple at La Hacienda and a group of new items that compliment together beautifully.

The addition of two new guacamole flavors; the Sandia Guacamole and the Tres Cerditos (Three little piggies), is definitely a fun spin on the traditional guacamole. You can't go wrong with any choice you make; The Sandia (watermelon) is a fun, refreshing and delicious combination while the Tres Cerditos guacamole is definitely a meat lover's dream featuring bacon, carnitas and chicharron. For me, the new Sandia is a must-try.

Another fun new addition to the menu is the Sweet Plantains side dish. This item reminds me of my childhood in a very special way; my dad used to make sweet plantains with scrambled eggs for me and it's one of my favorites, reminds me of home so much it makes my heart happy. If you have never tried sweet plantains you must have La Hacienda's because each and every time I have eaten them, they have been just perfect.

I'm happy to see the Carnitas Enchiladas and the Filet a la Parrilla still in the menu. These 2 dishes are our go-to's when we visit La Hacienda, you can't go wrong with either one.

A lot more pork items appear in the new menu, if you love pork as much as I do, you definitely need to bring an appetite and try the Baller Pork Chop; it is a massive piece of pork with chicharron and the signature mole trio.