"You might know Nixta as an outdoor counter-service spot serving some of our favorite food in town. But inside on Thursday-Sunday, this Mexican restaurant offers what they call omakase (tacomakase?). It’s far more casual than that lofty label implies, even if the meal does skew fancier than the East Side spot’s regular tacos and tostadas. The menu might have beef tartare, smoked wagyu belly waiting to be piled onto nixtamalized tortillas, and eggplant with creamy mole blanco. We’re all for other tasting menus’ upscale scenery, but It’s refreshing to experience something equally chef-y in such a laid-back environment." - nicolai mccrary, matthew jacobs