08 Feb Comfort Food at Bar Amá

A birthday is a perfect excuse as any to go out to dinner. It is a guarantee to have a group of people which means ordering lots of different dishes and sharing. So, for this year’s birthday, I picked Josef Centeno’s newest restaurant Bar Amá in downtown LA that recently opened. Inspired by the memories of the women who raised him, Josef Centeno has created a menu of elevated Tex-Mex favorites that he grew up on. The cocktails at Bar Amá focus on tequila and mezcal and the list of brands offered is rather comprehensive. Tahoma Limon (Mezcal Joven, Lime, Sugar) – a tart citrus cocktails with a hint of smokiness Chingon (Tequila Reposado, Citrus, Orgeat, Benedictine, Orange) – a blend of sweet and sour with herbacious notes Made-To-Order Guacamole (cilantro, lime, chile) – who doesn’t love fresh guacamole with chips?!?! Tex-Mex Queso (avocado, sour cream, salsa) – it’s hard not to like melted cheese and this was no exception. I like to believe that Centeno is using quality cheese and not velveeta but who knows?!?! It sure is creamy like velveeta cheese. Daily Ceviche (tomatillo, red onion, chile, mango) – fresh ceviche with a kick that is soothed by the mango Tuna Crudo (sesame, pumpkin seed, apple) – the addition of pumpkin seeds and apple add a fresh take on tuna crudo (as much as I love avocados, it was nice to not see tuna and avocado paired together again) Cauliflower & Cilantro Pesto (cashew, pine nut, lime) – the pesto balanced the undertones of heat of the crunchy cauliflower Puffy Tacos – the puffy fried taco shell is light and chewy. Tacos come two per order so we ordered a few different ones – Carne Guisada with hierba santa chile sauce, Grilled Shrimp with jalapeno cream and Cheese & Potato with chive sour cream Sizzling Chicken Fajitas – possibly the best fajitas I have ever had with tender meat marinated in peppery seasonings The fun part about this being a birthday dinner is that dessert is a given and this lucky birthday girl was able to try all five desserts on the menu! Pecan Creme Brulee (Sesame, Pecan, Chile) – the nuttiness from the sesame and pecan and the hint of heat from the chile offer a different take on the classic brulee Sopapillas & Mexican Hot Chocolate (Honey, Cinnamon, Oaxacan Sea Salt) – reminded me of childhood trips to New Mexico, the fried bread is coated in honey and sea salt Leche Quemada (Burnt Milk) Pudding (Graham Cracker, Fennel Pollen, Peanut, Almond) – fruity, spicy and sweet Coconut Tres Leches (Coconut, Cream, Vanilla) – a dense but most moist cake with the nice addition of coconut Chocolate Pecan Fudge Cake (Vanilla Ice Cream, Chile, Chocolate Caramel) – rich dark chocolate with a hint of heat from the chile Bar Amá was a great place to celebrate my birthday with friends but it will not take a special occasion for me to return…..soon! Bar Amá 118 W 4th Street Los Angeles, CA 90013 (213) 687-8002