On first glance, it's impossible not to be romanced by Tintorera. The first U.S. venture for chef Maycoll Calderón of Mexico City's Huset ? and the latest in a string of modern Mexican openings (Tallula's, Verlaine, Maestro) ? is truly transportive. You step off of Sunset into an aquamarine-lacquered entryway flush with flora, then descend a few steps to a breezy open-air dining room. Palm trees line the patio. The buttery glow from strung bulbs and hanging wicker orbs instantly makes you feel a couple of points more attractive. If you're a born cynic, you want to be mad at the mismatched wooden chairs for their obvious charm, or to roll your eyes at the mural of the mermaid/sea warrior with a blue shark (the titular tintorera) shooting out of its breast. But it's dead cool. Read L.A. Weekly's review.
Photos by Anne Fishbein