1.   At a recent class on Mexican cuisine, Maurice Zeck, executive chef at La Fonda Hotel, whipped up four courses including pork loin with peanut mole.

2.   Besides Chinese food, he dabbles in American, Cajun and Japanese food, but eats Southwestern and Mexican cuisine when he dines out.

3.   A fifth eatery serving Mexican cuisine will open in a few weeks.

4.   Casual dining is an art in Santa Barbara, and some of its best food, particularly genuine Mexican cuisine, is found in neighborhood joints.

5.   Chef and restaurateur Rick Bayless, a self-described gringo, is passionate about Mexican cuisine and culture, and pursuing the authentic regional flavors of the foods of Mexico.

6.   Diana Kennedy, long regarded as the reigning expert on Mexican cuisine, insists on using the milder, softer Ceylon cinnamon in Mexican preparations.

7.   In Mexico, flour tortillas are generally not served with southern Mexican cuisine.

8.   It has a very strong taste that works well with chutneys, fruit salsas, curries and Mexican cuisine.

9.   LOS DANZANTES, trendy Mexican cuisine with a selection of mescal.

10.   The most interesting thing about Mexican cuisine is its history, Quintana said.