As the sun’s rays dance so perfectly from mirror to mirror, the
twisting tree limbs overhead softly rustle in the breeze, and the murmur of
laughs, clinking glasses, and music fill the air, it’s no wonder visitors of La
Cocina stay from happy hour ’til close. The newly opened Mexican restaurant,
located at 7 East Anapamu Street, invites guests to escape the daily humdrum
and reconnect with family and friends while indulging in unique Mesoamerican,
Spanish, and Mexican-Californian foods.
“Prepare yourself to have a completely different experience,” said
general manager Johana Meraz. “Our chefs created the menu to echo a particular
family feeling. For those who don’t know how Mexican families are in the home,
we use different ingredients lying around and put them into our recipes. We
don’t waste anything.”
It may come as a surprise that the conventional options like
burritos and quesadillas do not exist on the menu. Instead, from their Baked
Chicken Enfrijolada (made with aged cheddar, ancho chile, crema, and chive) to
their Carne Asada (with papas fingerling, sprouting caulilini, enfrijolada
puree, and chipotle salsa), La Cocina’s menu encourages all to open their minds
and enjoy delicious twists on traditional Mexican cuisine.