the BEAT of the week: Taco Madness Party

It's yet another Tuesday. Need a way to spice up your week?

How about all-you-can-eat tacos from the best places in Los Angeles, homemade horchata and some live art and DJing?

What more do I need to say? Head on over to the classic Guelaguetza restaurant in K-Town tonight for all of the above, brought to you by taco connoisseurs LA Taco and the ever-hip Echo Park Records. $15 will give you all the tacos you'll ever need, including those from Mexicali Taco & Co. -- the winners of LA Taco's Taco Madness 2011 bracket (Interested in this year's? Vote here!). Bring cash for mescal cocktails, and you'll have a Tuesday you'll never forget (and if you do, well, you'll wake up knowing you had some great tacos.)

Happy Taco Tuesday!

Taco Madness Party takes place from 9pm to 1:30am at Guelaguetza, located at 3014 W. Olympic Blvd. in Koreatown.

-- Chau Tu

Etc. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Some celebration suggestions:

Chilaquiles for breakfast

Lotería at the Farmers Market for lunch

El Carmen, your home bar, or just pick up a bottle of Skinnygirl for a margarita

El Cholo (Western Avenue or Santa Monica locations) or Lares for dinner

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: USPS

Eat Out. Breakfast burrito at Oaks Gourmet.

This is my new favorite vegetarian breakfast burrito. It is so delicious that after trying it for the first time, I couldn't stop thinking about it, and returned to The Oaks Gourmet less than a week later for another.

Ingredients: three scrambled eggs, artichoke hearts, fontina cheese, roasted peppers, red onion, and cherry tomatoes. Yum!

Whether you're eating there (they have a nice communal table inside, and some counter stools outside), or getting take away, Oaks Gourmet is a really pleasant experience. While waiting for my order, I browsed the shelves of gourmet mustards and jams, as well as their refrigerator section full of specialty beers (including Allagash White).

The Oaks Gourmet is located at 1915 North Bronson Avenue in the Franklin (Avenue) Village area of Hollywood. Info: theoaksgourmet.com, (323) 871-8894

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: the BEAT

Eat Out. All You Can Eat Valentine's Day at Mas Malo.

If you don't have plans for Valentine's Day yet -- or even if you do -- this should be it. We here at the BEAT are obviously big fans of Malo, and having just visited the new Mas Malo downtown, I was just as impressed. The new venue is beautiful, and a great and fun setting for all your Malo favorites -- plus a few extras (Ensenada bacon wrapped shrimp, anyone? Maybe with a Pinata Smash?).

It's definitely a perfect spot for a date, or just a party with friends...even on Valentine's Day. And that's because they're holding "X+O Ladies and Bros V-Day Soiree," meaning $20 at the door gets you all you can eat, cash bar and a DJ. All you can eat. Yes. Even these. And how best to break the ice than with a spicy cucumber margarita right? Love at first taco. It happens.

Here's your info (PDF).

Mas Malo is located at 517 W. 7th Street in downtown.

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: the BEAT

Eat In. Malo's Ground Beef and Pickle Taco.

Silverlake's Malo has a new sister restaurant that just opened up in downtown, called Mas Malo, that's creating a ton of buzz right now. But if you can't get a reservation, and are still craving those delicious tacos, enjoy some at home!

Malo's own Robert Luna divulged his secrets of the ground beef and pickle taco to KCET. Check out the recipe below:

Eat Out. Lotería Grill.

I was halfway through my Sunday brunch when I realized I should blog about it.

Huevos rancheros at Lotería Grill in Hollywood are a great morning or mid-day meal, especially after a late Sidecar-filled night. The dish is on the menu with fried eggs, but our waiter was more than happy to adjust the egg preparation to scrambled at my request. The melon agua fresca was delicious, and the salsa that came with the chips was one of the tastiest spicy salsas I've ever had. The mashed potatoes (Papa con Rajas) were also notably scrumptious.

The Hollywood location is clean and bright, with large Lotería-style cards as decorations, so learning a few new Spanish words is an added bonus while you're there.

Lotería Grill is located at 6627 Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood. Info: loteriagrill.com, (323) 465-2500. There's also a popular Farmers Market location, and one in Studio City.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: the BEAT

Eat Out. New Chipotle Locations in L.A.

In college, I frequented the Marina del Rey Chipotle--it's in a nice convenient shopping center, and they gave LMU students free fountain drinks. Recently, I've returned a couple times after a new location opened on Sunset and Vine in Hollywood. Soon after, one opened on Wilshire's Miracle Mile.

An item on the menu that's new since my LMU days (when I would most often get the vegetarian burrito bowl with onions and peppers) is the barbacoa--"spicy, shredded beef, slowly braised for hours in a blend of chipotle pepper abodo, cumin, cloves, garlic and oregano until tender and moist." Tender and moist (and delicious!) it is.

Their tortilla chips and guacamole are also great. The chips are tossed with lime juice and salt, and the guacamole has a nice spice to it.

Perfect with an icy Coke, or a Corona.

Two recently opened Chipotle locations in L.A. are at 1460 Vine Street in Hollywood, and 5550 Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles. Info: chipotle.com.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: the BEAT

Eat Out. Tinga.

Mexican food isn't hard to come by here in Los Angeles, but light and fresh Mexican food can be. That's why new La Brea restaurant Tinga deserves a refreshing welcome, and repeat visits.

The story behind Tinga is that it's inspired by Santa Barbara favorite Super Rica, but I think it's a lighter, more high-end version that still delivers, and more. The restaurant is small but feels open, with high ceilings and a large window opening up to a couple outdoor tables. And the staff is more than welcoming; the owner (?) was already talking up customers like it was a neighborhood spot.

And it will be, if the food continues to be excellent. We opted for the Tinga, which is two tostadas with shredded chicken, lettuce and more (seen at bottom in the picture) and carne asada tacos (top). We also were convinced by the owner to get the Elote especial side, which is fresh corn mixed with cream, lime and salt, and the watermelon lemonade, and we were not disappointed in the least. The corn ended up being my favorite dish--fresh and with the perfect dash of lime, it makes for a great summer dish. Everything had the right amount of rich and spicy flavors without being too heavy, and despite looking like small portions, ended up being the perfect amount.

Dishes range in the $7-$10 range, which may feel like a lot at first, but the attention to detail is obvious. And as the summer (hopefully) heats up, Tinga's fare is exactly the type of light and flavorful food you'll want to be eating.

Tinga is located at 142 S. La Brea Ave. in Mid-City.

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: the BEAT

Do It. The New Santa Monica Place.

The New Santa Monica Place is really something. Showing absolutely no signs of its 1980's-style former self, it's a fresh, clean, ocean breezy, very 2010 and beyond place to stroll, shop, and eat.

The grand opening was yesterday, although all the shops and restaurants aren't yet open. I went this afternoon with my mom and it was really busy, and everyone seemed impressed with the new center. The third level is dedicated to dining, and has six sit-down restaurants, as well as even more fast-casual choices. We had a great Mexican lunch (after a 45 minute or so wait) at Richard Sandoval's La Sandía.

The Nike Store was the most impressive, but I'm still waiting for Nordstrom and their Blue Stove restaurant to open (August 27 at 10:00 a.m.)!

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credits: the BEAT

Eat Out. Queso.

Going out for Mexican food is one of my favorite activities. From tortilla chips to various salsas and guacamole, and entree combinations of all kinds, I feel like I know a fair amount about the cuisine, at least how it's served in the United States anyway. Until I had Mexican food in Nashville, where a delicious cheese dip, "queso", is as common as guacamole.

While it must be entirely unhealthy, it's also creamy, cheesy, spicy, and all-around delicious. Now try to find it out on the West Coast. There are Chowhound threads dedicated to this problem. It's nearly impossible, but was achieved this weekend at El Segundo's Cozymels. The small chain has locations sprinkling the map fairly evenly, and fortunately doesn't reserve the queso only for Arkansas, Texas, and Tennessee.

There are plenty of recipes for making queso at home, and you might even be familiar with the Tostitos jar of it (which actually isn't half bad), but the experience of having it out, with a full Mexican meal, is pretty nice.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: rssmemphis.com

Eat Out. Lares.

Lares in Santa Monica is my new favorite Mexican restaurant. My parents read about it in the Los Angeles Times 'My Favorite Weekend' feature, as being a favorite of Brad Paisley. While this wasn't quite enough to sell me on the place, I thought it was worth a try, and I'm so glad I did.

It's dark inside with lots of wood, and white tablecloths. The upstairs is nice, it has a large window as the wall on the side that looks out to Pico. While they do serve gourmet dishes, the food feels very authentic. Potatoes accompany a lot of the menu items, including my favorite, the Rancheros Tacos, which are made of beef and potato.

Everything--including the salsa--has just the right amount of spice. The warm tortilla chips are addictive, and they're quick to refill the basket as it gets low (dangerous!). The margaritas are very good, blended or on-the-rocks. If you're in the mood for a fruit margarita, their peach is fantastic. Carnitas and steak fajitas are also recommended.

Lares is located at 2909 Pico Blvd. in Santa Monica.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: latimes.com

Eat Out. El Carmen [Thirsty Thursdays!].

When I'm in the mood for a good margarita, this is where I go. I discovered this West Third Street gem years ago, and have even had a birthday party here. El Carmen is a small well-decorated dark bar on a prime strip of Third (near the Grove). The decor is mostly tequila bottles, and portraits of masked Mexican wrestlers. There's the long bar on one side, and small tables on the other. They have a menu of small bites, which includes a delicious mashed potato taco, which is in a hard shell and topped with fresh salsa and sliced avocado. Delicious.

But what El Carmen is really all about it the margarita. It's not too sweet, not too sour, has just the right strength, and has a pure taste to it that I can best describe as the margarita equivalent of Fiji water, if that makes any sense. Monday through Friday they open at 5:00 p.m. for a happy hour till 7:00 p.m., and the quality of drink you get for the price I'd say is the best deal in town. Unfortunately on weekends, they're not open till 7:00 p.m. and there is no happy hour.

The waitresses are always nice, and the bartenders are knowledgeable. There's fruit-infused tequila for sipping, and a piña colada-margarita sort of hybrid called the Mexican Painkiller, which, if you like coconut, is a good runner up to their stellar margarita.

Blended (oh so blended - you'll be impressed with the chunk-free beauty of it) or on the rocks, you can't go wrong at El Carmen.

El Carmen is located at 8138 W Third Street in Los Angeles.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: thehappyhourtour

Eat Out. Las Perlas.

Las Perlas Mezcal and Tequila Bar, 213 Downtown LA Nightlife's latest venture, will have its soft opening tonight, Tuesday March 9. The place hasn't opened and already has a Yelp page, so that should tell you something about it's soon-to-be popularity among the downtown crowd.

Las Perlas is located at 107 E. 6th St. (6th and Main) in downtown Los Angeles.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: Las Perlas via Daily Candy

Drink It. Martini-style margaritas [Thirsty Thursdays!].

I've been hearing talk for a while now of a so-called "Skinny Girl Margarita", invented by Real Housewives of New York City star Bethenny Frankel. The exact recipe seems to vary--Alexis Bellino on the Real Housewives of Orange County orders hers to be made with some club soda, Frankel makes them in an online video with tequila, orange liquor, and lime, but measurements aren't exact. Margaritas are one of my favorite cocktails (especially when accompanied by a platter of not-exactly-skinnygirl Mexican food!), so I wanted to get it right. Here's a simple and delicious version I decided on. I love that it's very chilled, yet not on the rocks, so it doesn't get watered down if you don't drink it fast.

I hope all the Bravo TV chat hasn't turned you off of this wonderful drink! Give it a try ...

The recipe is as follows:

3 oz. tequila (your call on the brand - Cazadores is a good option)

1 1/2 oz. Cointreau or Patrón Citrónge (or any decent orange liqueur, really)

1 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice

Shake well in a martini mixer filled a little more than halfway with ice. Serve in a frosted martini glass. Enjoy!

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: the BEAT

Eat Out. Malo makes Monday a fun day.

Just east of Fountain on Sunset (next to the Elliott Smith wall) is a little Mexican restaurant called Malo that gets packed on Monday nights for their taco night.

Many restaurants go for Tuesday Taco nights, perhaps simply because alliteration can be fun ... Don Antonio's dollar taco night is the place to be on Wednesdays, but Malo is very wise--I think--to take on Mondays. Nobody likes Mondays, but knowing there's something fun to do on Monday night makes the morning (and day) a little better.

Malo's has delicious margaritas and their taco night has a great selection, including eggplant and potato ($1), and lobster ($5).

Malo is located at 4326 W. Sunset Blvd. in Silver Lake.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: beautifulsilverlake.com

Eat Out. Dollar taco night at Don Antonio's.

A delicious restaurant taco for $1? Yes. Wednesday nights at Don Antonio's in West L.A. from 5 p.m. till 11 p.m. The mid-week happening is always packed, so arrive early. Avoid the temptation to order rice and beans, as that will quickly add up and nullify the good deal you can get by making dollar tacos an awesome and inexpensive dinner. Although I do recommend a margarita along with the tacos--either while you're waiting at the bar, or to celebrate when you finally get a table. Feliz Diciembre.

Don Antonio's is located at 11755 W Pico Blvd. in West Los Angeles

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: Citysearch