Border Grill Interior and Art

Border Grill Margs

Magarita

Green corn tamales

Located in the heart of the business and arts district in Downtown LA the Border Grill is a very sharp yet casual dining experience.

This modern Mexican cantina and bar caters for the lunch crowds as well as becoming a low-lit restaurant at night, proving to be popular with visitors to the city and white-collar professional business crowd, many of who, have been moving back into the district to avoid the pains of commuting or trying to navigate the car clogged freeways LA is rightfully known for.

This exciting restaurant is the brainchild of celebrity Mexican chef team of Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, who together have built the brand to include outlets in Santa Monica, and Las Vegas, in addition a pop up taco stop on the corner of Wilshire and Figueroa and mobile food truck.

Border Grill restaurant has established a new standard for gourmet Mexican fare, with a menu of complex authentic dishes based on the home cooking of Oaxaca and the Yucatan region.

Upon arrival to our table we receive a warm welcome from Felix, our colorful waiter, who presents a complimentary dish of tortilla chips and accompanying dips and salsa. He also makes a variety of menu recommendations, assists with our pronunciation of dishes, makes the little traveller at our table welcome and tells tales of his love of cats.

Around the room fashionably dressed groups of young urbanites and families share appetizers whilst mariachi and mambo tunes belt out of hidden speakers above.

The agave margaritas are the first I have encountered in America, so far that doesn’t contain lime cordial, thankfully, a clear indication that the bartender knows how to make a great margarita. Drinks are served in groovy highball glasses that were special commissioned for the restaurant to match the vibrant hand painted art pieces that brighten each wall which lends to a fine mix of arthouse hip and abstract cool.

Our meal consisted of soft Yucatan Pork with soft shell Tacos and Market Vegetable Quesadillas. The pork comes with guacamole, beans and rice and the plate is presented unassembled allowing the diner to create tacos to their own taste.

The little people are well catered here also, with Mexican themed activity placemats that contain puzzles and games along with a basic menu for gentle palettes, each dish being served with beans and rice.