Mo-Chica (514 West 7th St., Los Angeles; 213.622.3744) is open in its new space on 7th. When you walk in into the high energy, contemporary, urban space, you will notice a small red and gold tequila, mezcal, pisco and rum bar. Only Latin spirits here. The red and yellow colors are for positive energy and a sense of welcoming. You may notice there are no barstools around the bar. The idea is that you walk up and order a cocktail, then snag a stool at the metal bar to the right. Down the hall are a few perched two-tops next to the Peruvian warrior figures painted by some of Los Angeles famous chefs (for good luck).
Even further down the hall is a cozy room also red with graffiti by local artist, Kozem. There is also communal tables, four tops and more two tops. Not to mention, an open kitchen and a wine wall.
They are serving the original Mo-Chica menu with a rustic Peruvian flare and Japanese influences. They come in larger plates meant for family-style sharing. Menu items include Tallarines Verdes Con Camarones (Grilled black tiger prawns atop tagliatelle, peanuts, tossed with Peruvian black mint pesto); Caesarin (Peruvian Caesar salad with grilled baby romaine, parmesan, and huacatay anchovie dressing); Quinotto (Quinoa risotto, wild mushrooms, parmesan, parsley infused oil); Hamburgesa (Alpaca and lamb patty and pickled cucumbers with aji Amarillo yogurt dressing); Roasted Paiche con ajiaco de arroz, amarillo hot escabeche; Sangrecita with fried egg, huancaina, chimichurri, and grilled bread; and Pan Con Tuna (spicy tuna ceviche with yuzu mayo and grilled bread). As for drinks, they are available-in-punch-bowl. So order up the Papa Don’t Peaches (rum, apple brandy, lemon & peach bitters) and the Teenager Dream, which is a ton of different teas mixed with Pisco sour. Open 11:30 am-3 pm and 5 pm-midnight daily. Resys are only for parties of six or more.
The ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, May 30th includes:
9 am Local street artist Robert Vargas tags the windows
11 am Official ribbon cutting with Ricardo, local artists, city officials (open to the public)
11:30 am-3:30 pm Open for Lunch
5 pm Step-and-repeat photos (open to the public)
5:30-10:30 pm Open for Dinner
6 pm Dancers and musicians begin their night-long performances
