Guelaguetza Awards

Guelaguetza Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant: With its bright décor, live music and flavorful food, Guelaguetza makes guests feel like they've traveled South of the Border instead of to Koreatown. Paulina, Fernando Jr., Elizabeth and Bricia Lopez have taken over the reins of this longstanding family-run institution, which takes its name from an annual festival in Oaxaca. Near the entrance is a small marketplace offering clothes, baked goods and the famous moles for sale. Bands perform on a stage next to the tables in the main dining room, beyond which is the Mezcaleria bar and another room offering a more private ambience.

Food & Drinks: Start off with ensalada de nopalitos (cactus salad) or molotes (fried rolls filled with potatoes and chorizo) before selecting from traditional Oaxacan specialties ranging from chiles rellenos to tamales and enchiladas with mole, and fried pork ribs with spicy tomato sauce. Don't even think about leaving before sampling the chicken with mole negro, the bold, complex sauce made with chiles, spices, nuts, seeds and chocolate. For dessert you'll find flan, cake, fried plantains and other sweets. Try the Oaxacan breakfast that features an omelette withhierba santa, huitlacoche and Oaxaca cheese, or black mole chilaquiles. Guelaguetza boasts an über selection of tequilas and mezcals, which make their way into cocktails like the Pasión de Oaxaca (aged mezcal, Sauza Silver, passion fruit, grapefruit juice and Tajin seasoning). The Micheladas (beer mixed with lime juice, hot sauce and other ingredients) are also popular.