"Tell us about your first impressions when you arrived. This sunny corner spot is vibrant and art-filled, with murals celebrating chef-owner Diana Davila’s Mexican heritage. Colorful tile floors, bright green painted succulents, and large floor-to-ceiling windows create an inviting, convivial environment. What was the crowd like? Couples on dates, groups of hipsters, and young professionals flock to Mi Tocaya for Davila’s modern take on Mexican flavors and techniques. What should we be drinking? Draft cocktails made from tequila and mezcal are available, as are reasonably priced seasonal cocktails. Margaritas can be made with your tequila of choice or with mezcal, while the house Old Fashioned swaps out whiskey for the Oaxacan agave-based spirit. Main event: the food. Give us the lowdown—especially what not to miss. Davila dishes out personal takes on flavorful Mexican cuisine. The supremely shareable menu features the usual suspects like tacos (fried oyster and grilled Amish chicken thighs en adobe number among the fillings), while the larger antojos section provides interesting departures from the expected. Queso fundido is earthy and dangerously cheesy, studded with morango squash and mushrooms, while enchiladas arrive as tiny envelopes of chile sauce-drenched tortillas hiding cheese. A perennial favorite is the peanut butter and lengua dish, cubed and pan-seared braised beef tongue sauced with a craveable peanut butter glaze. And how did the front-of-house folks treat you? The enthusiastic staff can seem aloof, especially when busy, but service is decent all around. What’s the real-real on why we’re coming here? Mi Tocaya is an inviting, buzzy date spot that does serious, modern Mexican cuisine. Make a night of it by sharing a number of dishes across the menu." - Antonio Basada
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