For more than three decades, chef/owner Leo Romero has been serving a taste of traditional Mexican cooking to Back Bay residents and visitors. Decorated with exposed brick and colorful Talavera tiles from Puebla, Casa Romero is a hidden gem, secreted in an alleyway between Newbury Street and Commonwealth Avenue. You will be hard-pressed to find a burrito on the menu, but you will find lots of authentic regional Mexican dishes, like huitlacoche folded into spinach tortillas, pork tenderloin marinated in oranges and smoked chipotle peppers, and mole poblano, accompanied by potent and tart margaritas. In the balmy weather, have dinner in the charming courtyard garden.

Casa Romero Information:

• Mexican menu. Dinner, Sun brunch. Closed Jan 1, July 4, Dec 25. Bar. Outdoor seating.