Mo-Chica (Los Angeles, CA)

After meeting with the wedding planner at Urth Caffe, we went to Mo-Chica for dinner.  Warning: MANY delicious pictures coming up and if you’re hungry afterwards, don’t say that I didn’t warn you!

Mo-Chica (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

The restaurant is located downtown in what looks like a tiny storefront.

Mo-Chica (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

Actually, the restaurant has two rooms, with this cool bar separating the two.

Mo-Chica (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

Anyways, before we ordered, we had some drinks.  This Mexican coke was apparently “Hecho en California pro gringos.”  Ha!

Mo-Chica (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

This Pisco sour had the logo of the restaurant on top.  It’s actually turned almost upside down in the picture, so you’ll have to use your imagination.  🙂

Mo-Chica (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

Now to the food!
The menu is pretty extensive as with Picca, because it is the same chef, Ricardo Zarate.

Mo-Chica (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater
Primeras

Quinoa Salad

Quinoa, tomato, cucumber, choclo, rocoto vinaigrette

Mo-Chica (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

I loved the quinoa salad at Picca, and although this one was good, it didn’t quite live up to the amazing one there.  Still, worth a try!

Grilled Artichoke

Braised artichoke, huacatay butter, rocoto aioli

Mo-Chica (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

It tastes as good as it looks and that’s saying a lot!

Segundas

Tiradito de Seabass

Seared seabass, rocoto, garlic chip, aji amarillo leche de tigre, sesame oil

Mo-Chica (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

I love that little garlic chip on top.  It was perfect with the nice, light fish.

Now, let’s take a quick peek around the restaurant!  I love the wood tables.

Mo-Chica (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

There’s a cute clothesline with different specials (including Estofada de Alpaca), an exposed pot rack, and a loooong row of spice jars.  Pretty!

Mo-Chica (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

Now, more food!

Terceras

Lomo Saltado

Beef filet, tomatoes, onions, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, banyuls vinegar, Kennebec fries

Mo-Chica (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

This was a fun dish to share with delicious, tender chunks of beer, delicious vegetables, and the salt-flecked fries.  They were so thick that I thought they were yuca fries!

Portobello a lo Pobre

Grilled portobello, canario bean tacu tacu, sauteed plantain, fried organic egg

Mo-Chica (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

I loved this vegetarian dish!  Beautiful, hearty, and one of my favorites.

Aji de Gallina

Shredded chicken breast stew, quail egg, pee-wee potato confit, walnuts, parmesan

Mo-Chica (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

I admit this dish may not be the prettiest plate of food, but it is delicious!  It’s more of an Indian curry than an American chicken stew, but I pretty much scraped the bowl to finish it.  🙂

Estofado de Carne

Braised beef short rib, potato ajiaco, jalapeno salsa criolla, Huancaina

Mo-Chica (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

We actually ordered this dish after all of the other ones, because we had a few hungry mouths after the initial dishes we ordered.  My oh my, this was wonderful.  Definitely a “must try” if you visit.

Postres
Sol y Sombra

Purple corn, pineapple, granny smith apples, dried fruits & kiwicha creme brûlée

Mo-Chica (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

This looks like a regular creme brûlée, but it was chock full of beautiful fruit and corn!  Also, the name of dish is Sun and Shadow, so it just sounds pretty too.  🙂

Picarones

Spiced sweet potato & kabocha Peruvian beignets, chancaca reduction

Mo-Chica (Los Angeles, CA) on The Episodic Eater

If there is a beignet or a donut on the menu, we are ordering it.  I was really, really happy with these!  It’s a good thing I don’t live too close, or else I would end up popping in for a beignet on a whim, much too often.

Once again, I adored practically everything we ordered.  We’ll just have to add Paiche to the list in order to complete the Zarate trifecta!

Do you have a favorite dessert?

Mo-Chica
3655 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90007
(213) 747-2141
mo-chica.com


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