Monday, December 9, 2013

Restaurant Review: Nuestra Cocina

Ever since we vacationed in Los Angeles earlier this year, we have been head over heels for the culinary scene from the City of Angels. We are also big fans of Mexican food and have had Nuetra Cocina on our to-dine list for awhile. When we heard the owners are from LA and met while working at a restaurant, we put on our warmest coats, gloves and boots, and headed out to try their take on the flavors of Mexico.

We started with a Margarita De Granada (ginger infused silver tequila, pomegranate & lime - $8.50), the best margarita we've ever had, it was seriously delicious and we had to sit on our hands in order not to drink it in one sip! We also had the house special sangria, which was holiday'd up with cranberries and citrus ($6). We were also welcomed with the cutest and yummy house made tortilla and a smokey housemade salsa.

Margarita & SangriaFresh Tortillas

After hearing about the specials we ordered the two appetizer specials: cactus salad ($6) and the rockfish ceviche ($7). Both were terrific. We mixed everything on the cactus salad up and used the housemade chips that came with the ceviche to scoop it up. The rockfish ceviche was perfectly seasoned and the fish was wonderfully raw.

Cactus SaladRockfish Ceviche

Nuestra Cocina's menu changes weekly and has an extensive starter menu. We had a hard time not ordering one of everything, but decided to add another appetizer - their housemade queso dip with chorizo. Yummy goeyness, especially with the housemade tortillas! ($7)

House queso with chorizo

We decided to share one main entree, and since most of the items on the Platos section of the menu were things we were familiar with, we ordered something not seen on the typical taqueria menus we usually eat at - a Barbequed Lamb Shoulder Braised in a Banana Leaf with spicy green salsa ($18).

Shredded Lamb Shoulder grilled in banana leaf

Nuestra Cocina is probably the fanciest Mexican Restaurant we've been to, the food is beautiful, yummy and worthy of a celebration. They also have a large banguet room called the Mole Room, but unfortunately it isn't a room full of mole pots cooking as we had hoped. We're already racking our brains for when the next birthday or celebration is so we can suggest Nuestra Cocina!

Nuestra Cocina
2135 SE Division Street
Portland, Oregon
503.232.2135

Tuesday - Saturday 5pm to 10pm

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