New downtown Mexican restaurant Casa Cocina y Cantina had a press release boasting a menu "unlike any other Mexican restaurant menu in Los Angeles." But we couldn't help but wonder if that held true to its cocktail list as well. So we stopped by on a very chill Wednesday night and met with Billy Fanning, the restaurant's mixologist.
His specialty cocktail menu is a mix of traditional Mexican staples, unique creations and seasonal concoctions and of course we had to try several.
Glancing at the menu, you quickly pick up that the cocktails are primarily comprised of fresh juices, herbs and housemade mixers. Very promising.
Billy had nice back stories about how each cocktail came to be but we knew that how they tasted would be the only story that mattered in the end.
To his credit, Billy was a very good sport who was open to our suggestions. He had no illusions about this new restaurant. After all, it just opened and is still getting its bearings, still trying to figure things out.
In the end of our visit we found the Gran Casa Margarita and the lavender margarita to be our favorites of the bunch and would definitely order those again...and again. BTW, the house margarita on the rocks, although perfect for those who don't like sweet drinks, seemed heavy on the ice and short on the liquid.
Quick food suggestion, we tried all four tacos and found the Tacos Al Pastor ($9) -- with spit-roasted pork, tomatillo avocado sauce, cilantro and shaved onion -- to be the best. It was the most flavorful and had yummy crunchiness. Our absolute favorite of the tacos. Oh and order the Guac y Mole but ask for it with the housemade hot sauce. You won't be able to stop eating those chips with that combo. Dangerous!
