{"id":252212,"date":"2017-09-22T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-09-22T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sdnews.com\/a-bright-spot-for-superior-tacos-and-creative-cocktails\/"},"modified":"2017-09-22T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2017-09-22T07:00:00","slug":"a-bright-spot-for-superior-tacos-and-creative-cocktails","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/a-bright-spot-for-superior-tacos-and-creative-cocktails\/","title":{"rendered":"A bright spot for superior tacos and creative cocktails"},"content":{"rendered":"

Por Frank Sabatini Jr.<\/p>\n

If you haven\u2019t been to La Vecindad in the heart of Hillcrest, you\u2019re missing exceptional preparations of pork and pozole from a Mexico City family, not to mention cheerful cocktails that taste as pretty as they look.<\/p>\n

As for the tacos constructed with house-made corn tortillas, which practically melt in your mouth, they\u2019ll likely send you into a cartwheel as well.<\/p>\n

Located in Fifth Avenue\u2019s village center, between University and Robinson, La Vecindad is owned by Mexico City natives Tony Fragoso and his brothers Javier, Guillermo and Ignacio.<\/p>\n

\"A
(l to r) Tony Fragoso at La Vecindad with his niece, Abi, and brother, Javier\u00a0(Foto por Frank Sabatini Jr.)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This used to be Local Habit, which becomes a faint memory blasted away by scads of natural light and wildly vivid colors. Gone are the dark woods and jazzy design appointments of New Orleans.<\/p>\n

Customers are greeted with a sidewalk patio, a glossy white bar, festive banners and whimsical d\u00e9cor that includes garments pinned to a high-hanging clothesline.<\/p>\n

\"A
Tropical “choches” margarita and an “angel smile” cocktail (Foto por Frank Sabatini Jr.)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Right down to the indoor picnic tables draped in multi-patterned plastic coverings, and a back wall displaying conversation bubbles filled with quirky messages written mostly in Spanish by avid customers, it\u2019s as though you\u2019ve entered into the Latin equivalent of \u201cAlice in Wonderland.\u201d<\/p>\n

Many of the recipes originate from Fragoso\u2019s father and grandmother. Among them are three styles of pork made in-house: chunky carnitas, crumbly longaniza sausage and shredded chochinita pibil.<\/p>\n

The latter is marinated for 24 hours in annatto seed, oregano, salt, garlic, onions and fresh orange juice \u2014 ingredients that turn pork magical.<\/p>\n

Served in plate form with black beans and corn tortillas, it\u2019s available only Friday through Sunday.<\/p>\n

The carnitas sported a clean, sumptuous flavor while the longaniza smacked of complexity from cinnamon, cloves, onions, garlic and enough guajillo and ancho chilies to impart a tangy jolt.<\/p>\n

Both the carnitas and longaniza were piled into tacos. My companion, a taco junkie and first-time visitor to the place, went nutty over them.<\/p>\n

\"A
Longazina tacos (Foto por Frank Sabatini Jr.)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Visiting on a Sunday, when \u201cpozole rojo\u201d is available, we feverishly spooned into the generous bowl of the guajillo-spiked pork broth, accented eloquently with pork pieces, sliced radishes, shredded lettuce and hominy.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a must-try pottage that sings to a few pinches of dried oregano from the condiment tray presented alongside.<\/p>\n

\"A
Pozole soup (Foto por Frank Sabatini Jr.)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

New to the menu are cheese or chicken-breast enchiladas draped in mole sauce authored originally by Frogoso\u2019s grandmother. Served in pairs and plated with panache, they\u2019re available only on weekends.<\/p>\n

The sauce turned up silky and savory with ethereal undertones of sweet, Mexican chocolate as it seeped gracefully into generous chunks of tender chicken tucked inside the enchiladas.<\/p>\n

And the accompanying refried beans (laced with lard) and fluffy Mexican rice were the tastiest I\u2019ve had in a while.<\/p>\n

\"A
Mole enchilada plate (Foto por Frank Sabatini Jr.)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

La Vecindad feels equal parts restaurant and drinking establishment. A communal spirit pervades, thus living up to its translated name \u2014 \u201cthe neighborhood.\u201d<\/p>\n

The atmosphere is convivial in the company of margaritas made with fresh fruit juices, and high-octane \u201cjarrito locos\u201d blending silver tequila, Malibu Rum, pineapple juice and citrus in heavy clay jars.<\/p>\n

The drinks are no less crafty than any you\u2019ll find in chic nightclubs, extending also to a refreshing electric-green \u201cangel smile\u201d that quenched our palates with Midori, peach schnapps, pineapple juice and sweet and sour. There are also a few takes on micheladas, one of them introducing Dos Equis lager to<\/p>\n

There are also a few takes on micheladas, one of them introducing Dos Equis lager to chamoy (savory fruit sauce) and pureed mango \u2014 and playfully garnished with a skewer of gummy bears.\"A<\/p>\n

La Vecindad offers happy hour from 3 to 7 p.m. on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, when house margaritas sell for $5.50; flavored margaritas for $6.50, well drinks for $6, select drafts for $4.50, and tequila shots for $3.50.<\/p>\n

In addition, taco Tuesdays (all day) affords you two tacos of your choice for $6 as well as discounts on various drinks, and in a neighborhood environment loaded with gastronomic delights and visual character.<\/p>\n

\u2014Frank Sabatini Jr. is the author of \u201cSecret San Diego\u201d (ECW Press), and began his local writing career more than two decades ago as a staffer for the former San Diego Tribune. Reach him at <\/em>fsabatini@san.rr.com<\/em><\/a>. <\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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