Mexican Cantina Casa Azul Opens in Westwood

Named after the original Casa Azul that renowned painter Frida Kahlo shared with Diego Rivera in Coyoacán, Mexico, Casa Azul Cantina opened in Westwood yesterday. From FRIDA Restaurant Group and restauranteur and chef Vicente Del Rio, Casa Azul fuses the indigenous, diverse regional cuisines of Mexico—from Mayan-influenced dishes of the Yucatán to the complex moles of Oaxaca and to the California-casual style of Baja.

Guests can sate their appetites with simple snacks called Botanas; Gambas al Ajillo and Queso Fundido with mushrooms or chorizo to name two. Winter sopas like the signature Pozole Diego make a warm accompaniment. Main dishes feature seafood fare like Aguachile de Camarón or Camarones Al Gusto with a Zarandeado Sauce. Traditional dishes include Tacos de Rib Eye with Handmade Corn Tortillas.

The cocktail list includes a number of refreshing margaritas, like the Matador Special which features tequila, agave and muddled cucumber, or the El Diablo, which requires you specify your spice preference a la salsa (mild, medium or presumably en fuego.)