Chávez

Chávez Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant & décor: The light grays and bright whites, the sharp edges and sleek design foretell the kind of Mexican food found within this miniature Pike Place spot: no combo plates or orange cheese here. With just fewer than a half-dozen tables and a couple more seats at the bar, this place is about quality over quantity.

Likes: Tuna tostadas; salsas.
Dislikes: Tacos aren’t as interesting as they sound.

Food & Drinks: Starting with the trio of house-made salsas --- one of which is made from dried ants --- and moving through to the gem-colored tuna on the tostada, the dishes here scream with flavor and care. Street taco-size tortillas hold traditional fillings, like the grilled prawns with chipotle crema or the vegetarian grilled poblano with caramelized onions and Oaxaca cheese, but lack serious pizzazz, which is better found at the bar than on the table. The small cocktail list and large mezcal and tequila collection are the focus of the drinks section, featuring mezcalified versions of classics like the Moscow Mule and Last Word, as well as a first-rate Paloma with grapefruit soda and agave.