I took the subway from Hollywood and Western and walked 2 blocks to get to Tabachines Cocina. The vibe going was very cool, very urban but with a delicious payoff. Even though this was a limited tasting, I just got a glimpse into what makes this place so special.
Here is What I Tried:
Their wonderful warm bread is from La Moscota in Boil Heights.
Torre De Tostadas, Five Tostadas layered with Black beans, Guacamole, Papas con chorizo, Requeson, and Chicken tinga. It’s like a 5 layer cake but savory Mexican style. The presentation and the flavors are off the charts, a true must have. It’s a tower of unique different tastes.
Grilled Shrimp Mini Tostadas, with guacamole. I read about this dish online and it did not disappoint. Everyone talks about the shrimp being huge and juicy, they were all right. A great dish, filled with nice shrimp flavors.
Wedge Salad, Iceberg, cotija cheese, creamy poblono dressing and avocado, they gave me a mini version of this, but from what I could taste it really hit the spot.
Pan Seared Sea Bass, with roasted corn and salsa, and warm corn tortillas. This is by far the best sea bass I have ever had and a huge reason to come downtown and eat here. Served with Tabachines Roasted Corn, with epazote, crema fresca, cojita cheese, lime and cayenne pepper, very delicious as well.
Desserts, Arroz Con leche, warm rice pudding, syrupy apple slices and pecan pieces. This dessert was good, but I would have ordered something else another time.
Wines:
Pinot Grigio, Ramato Gionata, Bassi Ranch, San Luis Obispo, 2013. I liked this with the Grilled Shrimp Mini Tostadas.
Chardonnay, LUCA g lot, Tupungato, Mendoza Argentina 2013, this wine worked really well with the sea bass, this wine is creamy and buttery, just a wonderful pair.
Cabernet Sauvignon, White Hall lane Napa Valley, 2012, this wine worked well with the Torre De Tostadas, especially the chorizo.
The interior is very soothing, with its aqua colored walls and conflagrant trees in wood carvings on the wall and a rod iron fence around the patio in the similiar type of motif, fashioned after the Tibouchina semidecandra, better known as the princess flower or glory bush. There is one brick wall, with cement type floors. The interior has a very industrial look, with subway tile, and very fun Broadway bulbs spelling the restaurant’s name. There are red orange industrial lights with exposed air conditioning ducts, orange and gold drapes adorn the windows. They play very upbeat salsa music. The restaurant is directly across the street from Los Angeles Theater Center. You can’t miss the terracotta umbrellas from the outside, its very inviting, you will want to see what’s on the inside.
Owner Consuelo Laila Alvarado is not a restaurateur, nor a chef. Professionally, she’s in construction management, over the last 20 years, has led successful businesses in land development, construction, and energy solutions industries. Educated at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management, she has extensive experience in business administration, leadership, and compliance. She currently serves as a board member for The Alvarado Group.
Their concept is healthful Mexican food led by chef Patricia Zarate, who is also the founder and chef of Homegirl Cafe and Catering, a division of Homeboy Industries (the nonprofit helping former gang members). Consuelo and Patricia have been friends for decades. They have each dedicated their lives to social causes. Both women were born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, and even though they lived within the same neighborhood, they didn’t meet until much later, in Fresno, CA, while volunteering at a public radio station. Though Patricia moved to Los Angeles in 1984, their common Mexican heritage and life experience binds them together. Patricia also authored the cookbook “Hungry for Life” – A collection of recipes and stories about the Homegirl Café.
A great new addition to this neighborhood, which they call the historic core, and their menu says it all, “We simply make fresh healthy Mexican food.”
TABACHINES COCINA
517 S. Spring St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 489-2950
http://tabachinescocina.com
*Note some content was taken directly from their website
