Corazon Downtown is suddenly a lot spicier

They say home is where the heart is, although that's also true of most gas-station Mexican carts in Portland, who aren't afraid to put it in their tacos along with the eyeballs. Well, now Heart is where the heart isn't, but all sorts of other delicious Mexican food is, thanks to Corazon.

Translating to (you guessed it!) "heart" en Español, Corazon is a cavernous downtown Mexican palace helmed by a chef who blends Baja and Oaxacan influences with a SoCal and Pacific Northwest flair, enough of which can also get you a great job at the Tacoma Tchotchkes. Hanging wicker lamps spotlight dishes ranging from new takes on classics (e.g., shredded duck tamales), to traditional entrees that're actually not very traditional in PDX, including warm octopus, Vuelve a la Vida (a seafood medley of prawns, mussels, oysters, tuna ceviche, crab & avocado), and braised cabrito (baby goat w/ chiles, kid!). Aside from beer-based micheladas, tipples are wonderfully tequila-centric: you can nab $3 shots at the bar, while the wall is tiled with everything from Tequila Fortaleza to Tequila Ocho single estate and Pueblo Viejo, or "Old House" (note: "This Old House" is actually te-Vila).

While doors don't officially open 'til next week, Corazon's offering preview dinners this Thurs, Fri & Sat with five- and six-course options featuring fried hominy, tostones, ceviches, and fish served family-style -- reminding you that home is also where your crazy uncle Chip usually is, so you should probably eat dinner at Corazon instead.