THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Asa Meza

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Asa Meza Restaurant Review:

The chic, clubby area of Hollywood and Vine has no shortage of trendy spots in which to dine and drink, but even so, Asa Meza stands out for its beguiling beauty and its serious cuisine. A series of spaces unfold to suit various moods --- a candlelit, mahogany-hued library room; an airy bistro bar tiled in blue and white; a secret, sprawling rustic patio with fire pits, lanterns and an oyster bar. Hipsters flow aplenty late-night, but earlier there’s organic neighborhood conviviality and a refreshing lack of pretension. Asian and Latin flavors mingle, but happily don’t collide. Chef Joey Lopez combines comfort and sophistication in just the right balance. Distinctive cocktails like the "Oaxacan Sunshine," with mezcal nuanced by roasted red pepper, lemon and sage, pique the palate. Sip it with a dozen fresh oysters or a savory duo of thin-sliced Brazilian linguiça and Taiwanese sausage. Firm, sweet-fleshed sea bass ceviche plays well with sweet potato and anise-tinged pickled Peruvian corn. Short rib with braised pear, saké and kabocha is a standout; and "casuela del mar," a rich, spicy, tomato-based stew, offers a selection of tender prawns, calamari, clams, mussels and octopus. The silky flan is just the right finish.