A cozy fire pit, indoor-outdoor bar, firewall, an outdoor patio that looks out to the Hollywood sign, and extravagant Mexican food await at La Popular, which opens on Monday at Ovation Hollywood. While this is not the first US location of La Popular, this newest Hollywood location and its chic, modern aesthetics emphasize the upscale ingredients Executive Chef Jhon Arevalo has incorporated into beloved classic dishes.
The emphasis on luxurious ingredients was evident from just the appetizers. The succulent shrimp ceviche was delightfully tart and sharp, served with a crisp plantain chip. Well-marinated ahi tuna sat atop a crisp tostada with fried leeks and a creamy chipotle aioli. Their chicken taquitos featured a thin and eminently crunchy wrapper akin to those for Filipino lumpia, served with green salsa and what tasted like crema. The menu features other sumptuous additions to classic Mexican dishes: tender ribeye in their birria-style tacos with pickled red onions, guacamole, and fresh pico de gallo on a cheese-grilled tortilla, for instance, and succulent shrimp in their refried bean tacos. These indulgent tacos, packed to the brim, provided a strong indication that their other main dishes would be meticulously planned with complex and balanced flavors.
La Popular US’s Vice President of Beverage Operations Trevor Tyler has peppered the cocktail menu with inventive drinks mostly featuring agave-based spirits, especially tequila. Across the room, I spotted what I assume was the Oaxacan Jellyfish, a teal cocktail with a bubble of smoke atop it, waiting to be popped before imbibing. (Unfortunately, I was too slow to be able to catch a photo before the smoke bubble popped…) Even for someone who rarely indulges in cocktails, I found their classic LP margarita dangerously easy to sip. Personally, the spicy mango and pineapple margarita was a practically perfect drink, marrying the sweet and tangy refreshment of the fruit with a warm, addicting kick of heat.
We almost left without trying their sweets, which would have been a mistake! Ringing a bell on La Popular’s plant wall by the bar, guests received a shot of cristalino to enjoy with two different dessert options: churros sitting atop a pool of spiced chocolate sauce, and a butter cake with passionfruit custard and strawberry.
You can try these dishes and more for yourself soon: La Popular opens in Ovation Hollywood on Monday. For more information about La Popular, to see the menu, or to make reservations, visit www.LAPopularCDMX.com. Their operating hours will be 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday, and 11 a.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
