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"upscale" Mexican resto in the East Valley (SFV)

  • t

Okay, relatively 'upscale'! I'm looking for a traditional Mexican resto with a bar to sit at and a full bar license that's at least as upscale as Casa Vega or Ernie's and in the Stud City, Sherman Oaks, Noho area.
Yes I know Casa Vega & Ernie's aren't really 'upscale', but they do have bars and a booze license and is a sitdown resto.
Senor Fred doesn't qualify as it isn't 'traditional'.
What is La Fogata like, never been so don't know if it has a bar.
Would also go as far east as Burbank or as far west as Encino for the kind of place I'm inquiring about. Many thanks for your input.

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  1. If you mean La Fogata on Van Nuys Blvd., they didn't have a bar last time I was there. I think they serve beer. I wouldn't consider it upscale. You order at the counter and the food is brought to your table. I haven't been for a couple of years, Have you been to Mexicali on Ventura Blvd. just west of Laurel Canyon? The one time I was there I enjoyed it. They definitely have a bar.

    1. What about El Torito Grill in Sherman Oaks? http://www.etgrill.com/

      1 Reply
      1. re: Servorg

        I second El Torito Grill. They have a nice patio you can hang out on with sofa seating in one corner. They do a great happy hour too.

      2. I really like Sol y Luna on Ventura Blvd., in Tarzana across from the Corbin Bowl. I don't know how "authentic" it is, but the food sure is good. And they have a nice bar area. Salud!

        1. There's Mexicali, but the food and the service ain't so great.

          Could it be Honduran, Columbian, Peruvian, Salvadorian or something central or south America, or does it have to be Mexican?

          What about Mariscos (seafood) ? there's a good Mexicn Mariscos place on Sherman Way in the same shopping center as the new Tesco. I think it's called La Perla or La Pearla.

          1 Reply
          1. re: Diana

            La Perla del Pacifico is a Colombian mariscos restaurant, and yes it is very good.


          2. Tequilas on Victory near Woodman (across from Circuit City) is fair to middlin. Actually their Sunday Brunch is pretty good and they make a passable menudo for the brunch. Good Margaritas and at the last brunch I was at they had live music.