Often, friends, family members or co-workers recommend a restaurant by saying, "Oh, I know this great little place…," hoping to prove they've discovered some magnificent culinary hole-in the-wall. Sierra in Uptown is the place they wish they'd found. It's one of those amazing secret restaurants you selectively tell others about in order to preserve its originality.

Think Chi-Chi's without the over-commercialization. Color amplifies the mood in the small dining room, with the butter-yellow, lime and orange walls brightening your spirit as well as your appetite. While some chains display native decor to nauseating levels, it comes off natural and intriguing here, particularly the vibrant artwork of country scenes and villages.

The menu boasts an impressive selection of Mexican comfort foods and Ecuadorian treats, whether you're stopping in for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Besides the standard huevos rancheros, tostadas and burritos, the chefs offer a variety of entrees, including bistek encebollado (steak fried with onions) and camaron en salsa picosa (shrimp in a spicy sauce with rice, avocado, fried beans and salad). Ecuadorian plates present an alternative Latin American flavor—from guatita (goat stew) to cariucho (strip steak with broiled potatoes and peanut sauce). While the grilled specialties cost a little more, chances are you won't spend more than $15, and cheapskates can always just grab a quick taco bite (individual tacos cost $1.65, while the taco dinner is $5.95). Before leaving this little confidential canteen, suck up a papaya shake, and decide whether or not you will tell your boss about your find.

Average cost: $10-$20

Centerstage Reviewer: Paige Gray