The Taste of Mexico at Vibiana on Friday Night November 30, 2012

 

I have been reading Gustavo Arellano's Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America, and thus this second annual Taste of Mexico is very timely to have a chance to better understand the wide range of upscale Mexican cuisine available in Los Angeles.  Thus for $50 on Friday night November 30 from 6  pm to 11 pm, you can graze on some of the best regional Mexican cuisine all  in one place at Vibiana in Downtown Los Angeles at Second and Main Streets.  I had a chance to preview some of the food several weeks ago at the Mexican Consulate, as you can see from the slide show below (not seen from an Ipad)

or my Taste Of Mexico Press Preview picture set on Flickr here.  The preview featured around half of the food vendors, but did not include superstars Jon Sedlar from Rivera who will be showcasing his food from Playa, nor Rick Bayless or his executive chef from Red O.  Both of whom are discussed in Gustavo's book.

The Taste of Mexico is a great event for those who want to explore the exciting things happening in Mexican cuisine here in Los Angeles, and not have to drive all over county.  And if one has not been to a foodie event at Vibiana, then you are in for a real surprise, as to how well this venue works for food and wine/spirit events.  Tickets can be bought online, and if not sold out, will be available at the door.  In addition to food from almost twenty restaurants, there will be a wide range of Mexican beers, wines and spirits along with unique cocktails.  Plus, there will be live Mariachi music.  VIP tickets at $70 are also available that provide for early admission.

As someone who grew up on Tito's tacos in West Los Angeles, took elementary school field trips to Olvera Street, hunted for the only Mexican restaurant in Baltimore in the early 1970s, introduced to El Tepayac in the mid-1970s, loved Jon Sedlar gourmet tamales from Bristol Farms, taken to La Serenta De Garibaldi in Boyle Heights in the late 1980s, I was ready to be introduced to the following Los Angeles restaurants participating at the 2012 Taste of Mexico.  A star indicates that they participated at the Press Event.

Playa
Frida Restaurant*
Cacao Mexicatessen*
La Monarca Bakery*
Yucca's Tacos*
Frida Tacos*
Loteria Grill
Guelaguetza*
Red O
Casa Azul*
Mexikosher*
La Casita Mexicana*
Coni Seafood*
La Sandia
Candela Taco Bar
Tortas Bravas
Guisadoa
La Tiendita Mexicana
Nevera Juice Bar
Candela Taco Bar and Lounge*

So what really stood out from the press preview were the almost raw extremely fresh shrimp from Coni Seafood, the habanero mexcal sorbet from Mexikosher, the tequila lime punch cocktail, the exquisite small bites Monarca Bakery deserts, and the sea urchin and corn mini appetizers from Cacao Mexicatessen.  The purpose of the Taste of Mexico is to show off the authentic flavors, ingredients and traditions of Mexican cuisine.  This is a great value for $50.  Buy a ticket online before it gets sold out.  A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Downtown LA Art Walk. Pictured below are the founders of The Taste of Mexico along with the David Figueroa Ortega, Consul General  of the Mexican Consultate in Los Angeles.
Chefs from left to right: Vicente Del Rio, Ramiro Arvizu, Jaime Martin Del Campo, Ricardo Cervantes, and Bricia Lopez along with Consul General David Figueroa Ortega looking on.