"Entering Enrique Olvera’s acclaimed Arts District restaurant Damian feels like walking through a portal to Mexico City. At night, the indoor dining room is lit just enough to highlight its industrial design, which is balanced by a long planter on the other. Intimate booths run the length of one wall, where groups split guacamole topped with a handful of herbs and sip on well-balanced margaritas. The atrium-like patio is a little brighter (and quieter), offering a dining option that feels outdoors but is still protected by a roof. The duck carnitas has been a standout on the menu since the restaurant opened, with meat that requires almost no effort to pull apart. The Caesar tostada offers an inventive take on the classic salad, while a tlayuda is topped with squash or whatever produce is in season. Round out the meal with a sweet tamal or hibiscus meringue, which looks like it belongs in an art gallery. Book a table on Resy." - Rebecca Roland
