Cha Cha Chá (CLOSED)

If you’re itching for an out-of-L.A. escape, all it takes is the aguachile negro and a stiff cocktail from LA Cha Cha Chá. This mostly outdoor second-story Arts District restaurant from Mexico City boasts stunning design, impeccable cocktails and, of course, great food. We love its tequila-forward cocktail list, newly refreshed dinner menu emphasizing fresh seafood and dessert menu by Ellen Ramos, who also recently opened Santa Canela, a gourmet panadería in Highland Park. During lunch hours, Cha Cha Chá offers smaller, individually sized portions of most appetizers, plus more brunch-leaning options like chilaquiles and a breakfast burrito. The addicting house-made tortilla chips, thicker than most you find in this city, make an order of guacamole an essential for any table. Combine that with a couple rounds of drinks and tacos and the sunset, and it’s the perfect way to spend a relaxed evening out in the city.