LA SERENATA DE GARIBALDI

1842 East First Street
Los Angeles, CA 90033

323-265-2887

M-F: 11:30a - 10:30p
Sat/Sun: 9:00a - 10:30p

It has been said that certain scents, flavors and/or sounds can take you back to your childhood. La Serenata known for its variety of sauces created to tantalize the most blandest of palates, has done just that. Anyone who has grown up in a Traditional Mexican home can tell you that it is their grandmothers homemade salsa made in a molcajete that can stop sibling rivalry in their tracks and has been known to even unite arch enemies. Perhaps it is the love that goes into each and every smash of the chilies or the carefully roasted garlic that causes the intoxicating spell. Being a Latina born and raised in Southern California, I have discovered many a Mexican dining establishment in my time. All have their own delicious bragging rights and depending on what I am in the mood for, I visit each one accordingly.

As for La Serenata, I must say Owners Jose and Aurora Rodriguez have been able to capture the love that goes into each and every batch of salsa made grandmother style. They have over 30 different salsas catering to those cursed with taste bud fickleness. The menu ranges from the traditional such as chicken flautas to gorditas stuffed with succulent jumbo sized shrimp. The salmon enchiladas are so fragrant you'll want to sit there for a moment and just take in the aroma. They have fish tacos adorned with avocado and cilantro....YUM. Their sea food stews are made with white wine and you can either have it with jumbo sized shrimp or halibut....DEVINE.

La Serenata first opened their doors in 1985 and thank goodness for that! 

This is a health conscious eating establishment since they only cook with olive oil and the absolute freshest ingredients. The soups which accompany the entree's are treated like the star of the show. Soups vary from carrots (my fave), garbanzo beans, portabella mushrooms and turnips. The homemade style tortillas are made on site as well as the deserts. The deserts are both baked daily and inspired by pastry chef Marco Rodriguez (Jose's son). All this and I haven't even gotten started on their bar menu. It is known that when you want Mexican food, it is not the same unless you have a Margarita sitting somewhere on the table. La Serenata margaritas are devilishly good. DEVILISHLY GOOD.

Entree's start around $13.50 on up. There are two separate entrances. The off street entrance is great if you are lucky enough (the place is always busting at the seems) to find off street parking or you can use their valet service in the back of the restaurant. Valet is $3.50 but the parking area is tight so make sure you arrive early. So, the next time you are in the mood for Mexican Cuisine, whether it be a carne asada plate or a delectable seafood experience, La Serenata De Garibaldi will cater to your every taste budded whim.

What's Ms. Betty's favorite plate? While the Jumbo Shrimp dish served up in a cinnamon savory sauce unlike any other is tantalizing and The Carne Asada plate is mouth watering, El Salmon in salsa del molcajete is my favorite...hands down! This place brings me back to my carefree childhood days when I used to sit at my grandmothers side as she smashed chilies in the molcajete and told me stories of her youth. No dinner was complete without her salsa and when I cut off my first piece of salmon, swirled it around in the bed of salsa, then topped it with the sliver of avocado which adorned the plate, it took me back. Way back into that kitchen sitting next to my grandmother. Thank you Jose! When our most friendly server asked me how I liked my dish being that it was the first time trying it, my response was, "Me enamore." "I fell in love." My favorite spot to sit and dine is between the pillars. Being a visual person, I love to see the goings on and yet it lets you feel as though your in a secluded romantic area. And Miss Betty absolutely loves romantic candlelit dinners for two! My favorite time to go is between mid to late afternoon. The place seems like it's all yours, fresh flowers are brought to your table, even when your finished eating and your well passed a lengthy flirtatious conversation, the servers leave you alone offering you coffee and encouraging you to stay as long as you wish. What a way to spend a fabulously lazy Sunday afternoon with spectacular food, great drinks and devilishly witty conversation!

MOLCAJETE (Mortar when translated in english): In traditional Mexican households it is used for grinding herbs, whole spices and rubs, and for mixing sauces and pastes. It is considered an honor to have it passed down generationally.