It's been said that when a mandolin string breaks it's because it can no longer endure its unfulfilled cravings for Mexican food. Today's Groupon sates mandolin strings and hungry humans with $30 worth of southern North American cuisine and drinks for $15 at Galerias Gourmet Mexican Restaurant in Capitol Hill. A flourish of authentic Mexican recipes and warm atmosphere welcome all eaters whether they're coming in from the pouring rain or a street-wide tomato war.

As a Top Five Latin American Restaurant in Western Washington for 2009, Galerias brings happiness to your stomach. The restaurant enhances its homemade Spanish-speaking comfort food with a festive ambience that features soothing lighting, wooden beams, and splashes of color supplied by hanging paper ornamentations. You can peruse the menu for lunchtime hunger-destroyers like a hot bowl of Maya Lima soup with simmered tomatoes, green onions, and garlic atop shredded chicken breast ($6.25) or two pork tamales paired with a green tomatillo sauce ($8.50).

For dinner, Galerias offers appetizers, soups and salads, and heartier fare. From the sea comes the Carlos Quintero, a plate of bacon-wrapped scallops served inside rose petals ($15.50), and from the land comes Filete Uruapan, a seasoned skirt steak joined by sautéed veggies, green and red bell peppers, and a light avocado sauce ($14.75). There are also traditional dishes like the Enchiladas Rojas, stuffed with tasty fillings and topped with a roasted tomato and pepper sauce ($10.95), and the vegetarian-friendly Patricia Soriano: marinated grilled portobello mushroom with veggies and a balsamic reduction ($12.50). You can complement your authentic meal with an authentic margarita, made with the ripest fruits taken from an authentic margarita tree.

Reviews

CityVoter named Galerias Gourmet Mexican Restaurant the fifth-best Latin American restaurant in Western Washington, and both the Seattle Times and Seattle Weekly have written about Galerias and owner Ramiro Rubio:

• Rubio plays king to a court of Mexican-accented servers as warm and colorful as the chips they offer along with spicy, avocado-laced salsa. – Nancy Leson, Seattle Times

76% of Urbanspooners like Galerias, while Yelpers and Citysearchers give it 3.5 stars:

• ...to die for. Seriously. The rellenos menu has about 6 or 7 choices of chillies and fillings for a start. We had the ancho chillies with black beans and sweetcorn, and the poblanos with cheese. A total mouth-gasm. I have a new favourite Mexican restaurant. – Chandira, Urbanspoon
• This is an amazing Mexican restaurant. The food is creative and delicious. The setting is sophisticated and fun. And the price are [sic] very reasonable given the quality. Try it. You will not be sorry. – danabehar, Citysearch