Meal was really good, but pricing was a bit high. I always have an issue with upscale Mexican food and I rarely ever do it, since I love going to taco carts and one night here is equivalent to many meals from a cart. Have no real reason to go back tbh, but I enjoyed the meal regardless.
by whydoyouhatemesomuch
14 Comments
I think it’s really unfortunate that so many people have this opinion about high end Mexican food.
There’s good, cheap American food, but we don’t bat an eye at expensive steak houses or new American places.
Mexican food is incredibly diverse and thinking it should all be cheap street food (which is great, I love it) is problematic to say the least. We don’t compare high end American places to the smash burger joints we love, so we shouldn’t compare Damian, Cha Cha Cha, or loreto to angels tj tacos either.
Edit: for some good examples of these opinions, look at the responses to this comment
The duck carnitas are the best dish there, by a fair margin.
What’s up w the “pickled vegetables” – is that the untouched dish?! Seems rather scant.
The soft serve is the best dessert I’ve had in a while. Lobster al pastor was really good too
They’ve got a slightly cheaper option attached called Detroit (i think) tacos. Very good but also a little pricey for what it is, although their avocado drink is fucking amazing.
This makes me unreasonably mad.
Their duck Al pastor and duck carnitas are the some of the best I’ve ever had. Been there a bunch of times and I can’t say enough good things about Damian.
I’m from Puebla. Where Mole Poblano originated. And I always laugh at fools who overpay for it. And to add insult to it. You got the smallest lil mole plate ever lol
I went here a few months ago for my birthday. Was super excited to have a super high end experience from a cuisine so often brushed off as cheap as some commenters noted.
I found the food to be exceedingly flat and average overall, and the service and operations of the restaurant to be lacking as well. I was really hopeful but very much let down by the execution. Some particular lows were a very plain, textureless bowl of guac, dry tortillas, and an almost inedible flan. On the flip side, though, the actual fish component of our branzino was beautifully cooked and tender.
The waiters were also constantly speaking to each other across the dining room and popping out of random doors and being generally distracting. Also they ran out of soap and paper towel in the bathroom… Might seem a bit ridiculous to pick on that, but at fine dining I expect a certain caliber of service in addition to tasty food.
That said I’m still on the hunt for a high end Mexican experience so if anyone has recs please let me know!
These portions seem very small.
Two things can be simultaneously true – that attitudes about certain cuisines not being capable of being high end are problematic + Damian being undeserving of the price point. I really enjoyed my experience there but they had a truffle quesadilla that was FIFTY DOLLARS. I mean, come on.
The mezcal I had sitting at the bar singlehandedly ignited my passion for the spirit but it was all a bit much
Pricing was high but experience was great! I loved that place
I’m glad you like it. But I have a problem with you saying that if if you eat at a “taco cart” you’ve eaten here. First it’s a slap on the chef second you have to understand that food on the side of the street is way different and better than restaurant but hey who am I to say anything. Cheers
Yea I’m gonna pass. This place is giving me Douchebag Transplant Toca Madera vibes. LA people support your local Taco Stand. Fuck this “Elevated” Mexican Food Bullshit….😒