Locals from all parts of town sing the praises of La Serenata ("serenade" in Spanish), a Boyle Heights Mexican restaurant specializing in seafood. Now there is a branch in Santa Monica and a smaller, more casual café in West L.A., but the flagship location downtown remains the most consistently packed — so call for reservations well in advance. Chef/owner Jose Rodriguez is a veritable sorcerer of sauces, conjuring up countless verde, chili and chipotle varieties to dress up the bounty of the sea. Commence your gustatory aquatic adventure with a fisherman’s cocktail, consisting of white fish, shrimp and scallops in a spicy and sweet tomato sauce. While fish tacos, gorditas, flautas and enchiladas, all wrapped in tortillas that are made on site daily, are menu staples, pay attention to the specials and fresh catches that your helpful, bowtie-clad server announces. For those whose appetites are not nautical by nature, there are chicken, beef and vegetarian (upon request) options as well. A silky flan finish is a necessary indulgence.
Reservations suggested. Full bar. Serving breakfast Sat–Sun, lunch and dinner daily.
Zagat 2011: 22 food rating (very good to excellent)
Los Angeles Times: ** (very good)
“Just the thought of La Serenata de Garibaldi's camarones in cilantro sauce, plump gorditas filled with rock shrimp or fish enchiladas in tomatillo sauce is enough to get L.A.'s Mexican seafood aficionados out to Boyle Heights.”
— S. Irene Virbila, Los Angeles Times
Locals from all parts of town sing the praises of La Serenata ("serenade" in Spanish), a Boyle Heights Mexican restaurant specializing in seafood. Now there is a branch in Santa Monica and a smaller, more casual café in West L.A., but the flagship location downtown remains the most consistently packed — so call for reservations well in advance. Chef/owner Jose Rodriguez is a veritable sorcerer of sauces, conjuring up countless verde, chili and chipotle varieties to dress up the bounty of the sea. Commence your gustatory aquatic adventure with a fisherman’s cocktail, consisting of white fish, shrimp and scallops in a spicy and sweet tomato sauce. While fish tacos, gorditas, flautas and enchiladas, all wrapped in tortillas that are made on site daily, are menu staples, pay attention to the specials and fresh catches that your helpful, bowtie-clad server announces. For those whose appetites are not nautical by nature, there are chicken, beef and vegetarian (upon request) options as well. A silky flan finish is a necessary indulgence.
Reservations suggested. Full bar. Serving breakfast Sat–Sun, lunch and dinner daily.
Zagat 2011: 22 food rating (very good to excellent)
Los Angeles Times: ** (very good)
“Just the thought of La Serenata de Garibaldi's camarones in cilantro sauce, plump gorditas filled with rock shrimp or fish enchiladas in tomatillo sauce is enough to get L.A.'s Mexican seafood aficionados out to Boyle Heights.”
— S. Irene Virbila, Los Angeles Times