THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED CASA

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED CASA Restaurant Review:

CASA serves up seasonal, modern Mexican cuisine in a contemporary hacienda setting at downtown’s busy California Plaza. Lunch is taqueria-style, but at dinner, the kitchen executes a more formal dinner menu beginning with antojitos (small bites) like miniature goat cheese tamales, flautas de pollo or Yucatán-style tacos. Larger plates include an upmarket take on steak fajitas, with caramelized onions and chimichurri crema, and lobster-and-shrimp enchiladas with corn-chipotle sauce, and pescado a la Veracruzano. Among happy endings are churros with chocolate dip and plantains Foster. From the bar, lavender and guava margaritas make good pairings for a menu and setting that encourage festive dining. A variety of pod-like casitas, seating from three to 40 guests, accommodate intimate gatherings, both indoors and out. Owners Mario del Pero and Ellen Chen also regularly offer some simple dishes inspired by authentic neighborhood taquerias from throughout L.A., and promote these family-run eateries to CASA’s guests.