Azteca Urbano, 24 E. Kiowa St., had flown under my radar until a friend — Jazzercise instructor and fellow foodie Rachel Moothart — gave it a shoutout during our afternoon workout class.

“We just went to Azteca Urbano downtown,” she said between dance routines. “It was our first time, and I had the mole enchiladas. They were really good.”

Based on her recommendation — and with no dinner plans that evening — we decided to give Azteca a try.

The year-old eatery now occupies the former home of T-Byrd’s Tacos & Tequila, which has since moved around the corner to 218 N. Tejon St. Azteca Urbano is a bright spot along Kiowa, with twinkly lights strung across the sidewalk patio and colorful neon glowing in the windows. For a midweek evening, several tables and booths were filled — a promising sign. It didn’t disappoint.

Chips and salsa — a bright red tomato blend and a spicy green chili version — hit the table almost immediately. We started with a house margarita, swapped for mezcal instead of tequila ($14), and a Negra Modelo. The cocktail arrived with a rim partly dusted in Tajín, a salty-tangy-spicy nice touch. The mezcal was strong at the bottom until it was stirred, and though the drink leaned a little sweet, it paired well with the bold salsa.

Though the mole enchiladas were tempting, we ordered a bowl of pozole rojo ($13) and green chili enchiladas ($12.50). The hearty hominy-and-pork stew came in a generous bowl, packed with meat and nixtamalized corn, and served with the traditional fixings — chopped cabbage, radish, onion, lime wedges, and slices of smoky morita jalapeños. Warm tortillas on the side were perfect for soaking up the chili-forward broth. It was a classic, comforting dish — one that would be especially satisfying on a cold, snowy night.

The green chili enchiladas didn’t hold back on spice — another winner. We’ll be back, likely, on one of the restaurant’s monthly Saturday dance nights, which our waiter described with a grin:

“We have live music and move the tables out of the way for dancing.”

Hours: 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Sunday–Wednesday; 11 a.m.–midnight Thursday; and 11 a.m.–2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Details: 719-755-2088, tinyurl.com/2vxty9s5.

New spot for steak

Prime25 North – Steak, Seafood & Cocktails, 1895 Democracy Point, officially opened Oct. 3.

Eager diners — myself included — filled the sleek new space opening night, eager to be among the first to experience the second branch of the popular Prime25 steakhouse. Every table was booked in advance for the debut, marking the long-anticipated northern expansion of the protein-focused palace so many have come to love near downtown. Now, those of us living on the city’s north side can enjoy the same exceptional fare from executive chef Pete Moreno’s kitchen.

The menu delivers the expected ribeyes, wedge salads, shrimp cocktails, and creamed spinach, but there are a few new surprises, too.

Our longtime waiter friend, Rick Arciniega, currently on short-term duty from the original Prime25 to help train staff at the new location, filled us in. “Mostly the menu is similar to the south store,” he said, “but we have a few new things Pete is trying out — like the kung pao cauliflower and halibut. Probably most of them will be added to the other menu too.”

We couldn’t resist trying the Million Dollar Bacon ($20) — three slices of pork belly crusted with brown sugar and black pepper that perfectly balanced the meat’s rich fat. Absolutely indulgent and worth every guilty bite.

Then came the star: a 30-ounce Australian Wagyu Tomahawk steak ($225), cooked to a flawless medium-rare. Equally luxurious and every bit as special-occasion-worthy as its price suggests.

It’s exciting to see an upscale addition to a north Colorado Springs landscape otherwise dominated by fast food and fast-casual spots.

Hours: 4–9 p.m. Tuesday–Thursday; 4–10 p.m. Friday–Saturday; 5–9 p.m. Sunday.

Details: 719-884-2864, tinyurl.com/efmcctfc.

New hours

Ambli Kitchen + Bar, 5278 N. Nevada Ave., has slightly changed the hours of operation. The eatery is no long open on Mondays for lunch, which is sad since that means the creative and delicious saffron or cilantro jalapeno mussels ($20) with toasted sourdough & lime wedges, has been put on hold. However, there are still other terrific lunch features 11:30 a.m.- 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays.

Happy hours are 11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Fridays and 4-9:30 p.m. Saturdays. in the bar and lounge. The dinner menu is offered from 5-9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Details: 719-308-5579, facebook.com/AmbliGlobalCuisine.