There are so many changes happening on Capitol Hill right now. It seems like new condos are being put up overnight. Everywhere I look, something is being torn down so that something bigger and taller can be put in its place. While I like the idea of having a denser urban area (less sprawl hopefully means less cars), it makes me wonder when they are going to come after my apartment building. But, for now, the good side to all of this development is that there are a ton of new restaurants opening up in my neighborhood this summer! Let’s see, there’s Cafe Presse, a casual French cafe and newsstand from the owners of one of my favorite lunch spots, Le Pichet. Linda Derschang, of Linda’s Tavern and Viceroy fame, is opening a new place called Smith up on 15th Avenue. Later this summer, the guys from Blue C Sushi in Fremont are supposed to be opening a Japanese noodle shop a few blocks away from us on 12th and Pike. It’s almost too much. We barely have time to visit our standby restaurants as it is.

Last night, we visited another product of the condo boom: Bimbo’s Cantina. Bimbo’s Cantina is the new incarnation of Bimbo’s Bitchin’ Burrito Kitchen, which was previously located down on Pike & Summit until that block was bought to make room for condos. Fortunately for us, the new Bimbo’s is much closer, now located on Pike between 10th and 11th. I’ve always liked Bimbo’s. Their burritos aren’t mind-blowing or anything, but they are good and cheap. Plus, they use lots of organic ingredients. The new Bimbo’s has a slightly more streamlined look. There is still plenty of Mexican kitsch, but it not quite as over the top as it was at the old restaurant. There is a much stronger focus on Mexican wrestler-related kitsch, including a pretty cool Mexican wrestler stained glass window above the door. Bimbo’s Cantina seats around twice as many people as did the old Bimbo’s, which means about 30 plus additional seating at the bar. Whereas the old space was dark and cramped, the new Bimbo’s is spacious and airy. It might not be quite as cool, but I felt really comfortable there.

I ordered what I always order, the “No-Meato Burrito” which is your choice of tortilla (flour, wheat, spinach or tomato) stuffed full with rice, beans (whole, refried or black), lettuce, black olives, sunflower seeds, tomato, cheese, guacamole and cumin-lime sour cream. It was totally messy and delicious. I’m a sucker for the crunchy sunflower seeds. Robert had the “Down Home Burrito” which is filled with a choice of meat (herb-roasted chicken or beef) and garlic potatoes as well as rice, beans, etc. They accidentally left out the meat which, if you’ve ever been to Bimbo’s, isn’t too surprising. He didn’t mind too much, though, because the garlic potatoes were so good. Bimbo’s also offers nachos, tacos and quesadillas and lime jello for dessert for $0.50. The usual Mexican beverages are available including a good selection of cervezas, sangria, margaritas and Mexican sodas. It was a very filling meal and the best part is that, even with beer, we got out of there for under $20!

The Cha Cha Lounge, which is affiliated with Bimbo’s and was previously located right next door, also made the big move up the hill. Now, it is directly downstairs from Bimbo’s. After dinner, we decided to check it out. It is humongous compared to the old Cha Cha. There is tons of seating, including some really nice booths. It looks like all of the leftover Mexican kitsch from the old Bimbo’s was moved into Cha Cha. The walls and ceiling are covered in it; that, combined with the dark red lighting, makes for an otherworldly atmosphere. We didn’t stick around, but it looks like it will be a pretty fun place to meet friends at for drinks. Bimbo’s Cantina and Cha Cha Lounge are located at 1013 East Pike Street.