Holy Guacamole: The Haute 5 Mexican Restaurants in L.A.

What better way to ring in the New Year than with a big plate of tamales like Grandma used to make? Okay, well, Grandma never made tamales, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t share cherished memories of the great Mexican treats that are so pervasive in our City of Angeles. And while the rest of the country can choke down their own mushy black-eyed peas, we will delight in the guilty pleasures of wishing ourselves a “Happy New Year” with margaritas and enchiladas.

Border Grill

Who says you can’t celebrate New Year’s Eve Mexican-style? At Border Grill in Santa Monica, they are offering up holiday specials right alongside the award-winning establishments that we brought you last week. This year, why not try the four-course meal at the upscale venue that starts at 6:30 p.m. and runs $45 per person? But if you already have your haute dinner plans in place for that particular evening, chef/owners Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, along with executive sous chef Raymond Alvarez Jr. will not disappoint anytime throughout the year with their take on modern Mexican that comes in the form of sofrito marinated rack of lamb, served with spiced corn, baby spinach, and tequila soaked raisins, or the “Good for you, good for the planet” items that include at least 80 percent plant based ingredients such as the organic roasted eggplant with curried tomato jam, cilantro cous cous, red lentils, and a feta cherry tomato salad.

Border Grill is located at 1445 Fourth St.; 310.451.1655

Lotería Grill

With nods from Zagat and Gayot, this hidden treasure shows itself as a tiny stall in the center of the Third Street Farmers Market, flanked by a crêpe stand and the Beer and Wine Bar. But for the full on restaurant experience, head over to the Hollywood locale to experience the taste explosions from executive chef Jimmy Shaw. His recipes have earned national attention on The Today Show and in Bon Appetit, and also show up in JoAnn Cianciulli’s L.A.’s Original Farmers Market Cookbook. Special menu items at the restaurant include seared Panela cheese topped with cactus paddle salad and salsa verde, and beef tongue with tomatillo sauce.

Lotería Grill is located at 6627 Hollywood Blvd.; 323.465.2500

Frida Mexican Cuisine

With three locations in Los Angeles and one in San Diego, Frida in Beverly Hills was the original outpost of this haute Mexican restaurant. Say goodbye to the over-the-top cheesy décor that plague so many eateries of this kind. Frida is decked out in wall murals and folk art that exposes guests to a different side of Mexicana. And with such upscale interiors, we would expect nothing less from the kitchen either. With descriptions such as “artfully presented” and ideas like infusing Old World recipes with a modern touch, it’s clear that the powers that be have a handle on their Mexican kitchen accessories and deliver nothing short of deliciousness.

Frida is located at 236 S. Beverly Dr.; 310.278.7666

Spanish Kitchen

Does national media attention automatically guarantee a good meal? Certainly not, but in this case it does serve to pique the interest of Mexican food connoisseurs, and we feel that Spanish Kitchen delivers on the hype. House specialties that had us salivating include the bacon wrapped filet mignon and the plantain crusted mahi. In the department of décor, what Frida does in shying away from stereotypical décor, Spanish Kitchen embraces in such a way that does not overwhelm or insult. We’ll toast a tequila shot to that.

Spanish Kitchen is located at 826 North La Cienega Blvd.; 310.659.4794

Mexico Restaurante y Barra

When someone carries a passion for everything great about our south of the border neighbors, it cannot be kept a secret for long. And though Larry Nicola has been at it for a while, Mexico Restaurante y Barra continues to receive positive ink. Similarly to Spanish Kitchen, this Mexican restaurant in the heart of West Hollywood proudly proclaims a love for everything kitchy about sobreros, strings of lights, and piñatas, all displayed in Technicolor glory. Chunky guac, not pudding-style, made our hearts pound, as did the duck, the red snapper, and naturally, the margaritas on the rocks, with salt please.

Mexico Restaurante y Barra is located at 8512 Santa Monica Blvd.; 310.289.0088