Jaime Martin Del Campo and Ramiro Arvizu, the chefs at Bell's celebrated La Casita Mexicana, are planning their first major foray into L.A. with Mexicano, a full-service restaurant inside the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza shopping center. In addition, they're building a quick-service eatery called Flautas, which will serve tacos dorados with eight traditional toppings. Mexicano will feature classic dishes from the state of Jalisco, like carne en su jugo, tortas ahogadas (drowned tortas), albondigas, and made-to-order tamales. The two concepts might go down some of the most important Mexican establishments to open in L.A., let alone in under served Baldwin Hills, which essentially only has Post & Beam as its other culinary beacon.
The bar at Mexicano, called La Esperanza, will have 20 paleta-themed cocktails using such spirits as tequila, sotol, mezcal, raicilla, and bacanora, and features a mezcalier to consult on pairings for the bar menu. The antojito bites include tequila guacamole and Mexican bread pudding. No word yet on the opening date for the eateries.
·La Casita Mexicana's Del Campo and Arvizu to open Mexicano [LAT]