663723 Sat Oct 31 11:07:10 -0700 2009 7 2 Los Angeles Area 0 5145221 I live close to this restaurant. It took over the space from a mexican restaurant who's concept was to deep fry everything (and, boy, was it gross). I had been toying with going to Ortega 120 for the past year or so since it opened. Then, well, after watching Hell's Kitchen, and seeing the chef on there brag about his mole, I thought I'd go give it a visit. The website seemed promising... a Mexican chef with french culinary school training. They had many dishes that you wouldn't find at a typical Mexican restaurant (like duck confit chilaquiles) and they put how they only use the freshest of ingredients. The location is right off of Pacific Coast Highway, underneath a gated townhouse community. When I got out of my car, I was inundated by the smell of grease. I wondered if the townhouses smell it. It wasn't pleasant. I still decided to go. It was a Friday night, around 9pm. There was no wait to seat me and the place seemed packed. My first impression of the place is just how noisy it was. I couldn't hear myself think. The decor was just dark. They had silent movies of westerns projected on their walls. It took a while for anyone to stop by my table, but that was fine since I had a chance to look at their menu. The first thing I noticed, is that the prices on the menu seemed higher than the prices on the online website. The menu didn't appear to be put together well. My impression of this place is that it's trying to be a high end Mexican restaurant... but, I will tell you that there are many off-putting features of this place. For starters, the mixed messages that I received from the place. They put on the menu something to the effect about being patient as they make every single dish to order and it may take time to bring out your food AND "you have 2 hours to eat here and then we would like to you to leave to make sure other people can eat here and turn over the table" (Okay, so it wasn't that blunt.). There are some weird comments about their margaritas that they make (it's a strange boasting... where they talk about how many ounces of liquor and how something can be good without being too strong or something like that). The hostess who sat me down put a flyer on the table notifying me that "they won't serve water unless I ask because of the LA water restrictions." I think it would have been more classy has they have just told me. Maybe it's a law, who knows. They put down on their menu for drinks that it's 2.75 for a diet coke but you're only allowed 3 refills, and then they bring it in a small glass filled to the top with ice (geez, I hated those days when I had to ask the server to limit the ice because of a limited or no refill policy). I also found that under the appetizers on their menu, they list the price of their guacamole appetizer to be "$MKT." Market price? Come on, we live in SoCal and this isn't lobster. I found this odd when the other 100+ mexican restaurants I've eaten at over the years seemed to be able to give me a price on guac. Okay, now that that is off my chest... onto the food. I was started with a basket of chips and salsa. The chips were light and crisp and slightly warm. My only beef with the chips is that they obviously didn't stir the tortillas after they hit the fryer because there were more like 3-4 mega stacks of chips gnarled together rather than individual chips. The salsa quantity they give you is small, but tasty. Not too spicy. After a while, the waitress came over to take my order. She looked rushed. I ordered some fresh made house flour tortillas and a side of guac (which did have fixed price). I also ordered the enchiladas de mole poblano (since I went there to try the mole). The flour tortillas (about 5-6 of them, I don't remember) and about 5 inches in diameter, were served pipping hot, with a side of butter. I was excited to try them. Unfortunately, all the tortillas were undercooked. Could I tell the waitress this? No, she was nowhere to be found. I sat there, snacking on them and the chips/salsa, trying to ration my diet coke. Also, no side of guac just yet. The food came out, and it was 2 averaged sized enchiladas side by side smothered in a dark black mole poblano sauce, sprinkled very gingerly with queso cotija, and some sprigs of some sort of salad green on top, in a giant white fru-fru bowl of a plate. I didn't see any of the sour cream mentioned on the menu. It looked pretty (sorry, no photos). So, the enchiladas were tasty. The chicken filling was not dry. The tortillas were softened appropriately. The star of the dish was the mole sauce. It had a rich smokiness to it, with occasional waves of sweetness. The guac came out in a small side cup (decent size) with a sprinking of queso and some microgreens on top. The guac tasted perfectly ripe but the microgreens were just in the way and it was undersalted (with no salt on the table). The "roja arroz" (red rice) served in a separate bowl next to the enchiladas, was just average, bordering on dry. I looked at the food at the neighboring tables, and it all looked good. Someone ordered the churro dessert, which came out on a long plate with a stack of churros, a small bowl of ice cream, and a cup of dipping chocolate. I almost ordered it but when I asked the waitress for the menu, she just said "we have this and this" but didn't mention the price (which is a bit of pet peeve of mine when servers do not mention the prices). Anyhow, so I paid my bill (it took them a while to pick up the check) and headed out the front door. They had some lollipops from Mexico (kinda like their version of a mint dish). I took one "chile corn" and one "pineapple." The chile corn was not a pleasant candy flavor for my palette, but I did enjoy the pineapple pop. Now, would I go back? Well, if I was with a group that really wanted to go, I wouldn't oppose going. I'd probably try one of their pricier entrees next time. However, I don't think I will be going back on my own. I don't think there is enough value for me to go back. I've been to other mom and pop mexican restaurants and a few taco trucks which serve equally as good moles. While the dishes weren't presented in fancy dishware as they are at Ortego 120, I felt more satisfied after leaving the Mom and Pop places. I'll stick to my usual mexican food outlets. I would recommend this place to one type of patron (or, should I say "Patrón" ha).. I think if you're really into tequilas and margaritas, this place would be worth a stop since they have an unbelievable selection of tequilas (120 varieties.. I didn't count but I think that's where they get the 120 in their name) and they state they only use fresh fruit mix they make daily out of a few basic ingredients (which, they oddly list what's in Jose Cuervo mix on their table for comparison).. They even offer tequila flights and tastings if you want to try to get into tequila.. Sat Oct 31 11:07:10 -0700 2009 89472 DrBruin 1 5145388 Thank you so much for the review.... I got that odd vibe since I heard about it from the website... But at the same thing, Duck Chilaquilles are so intriguing to me.... *sigh* We've had three wonderful Mexican dinners lately at Amaranta and Homegirl, I am so hesttiant to try out luck again... but if we go, I'll be sure to write back! :) --Dommy! Sat Oct 31 12:53:32 -0700 2009 5145221 10659 Dommy 1 5145415 Your experience pretty much mirrors mine, except that instead of loud and busy, it was pretty slow. Still didn't stop my server from disappearing. At least your server had the excuse of being slammed. I had the same entree. I've never had mole sauce before, but I did really like the flavor. The margarita was delicious. Almost as good as the ones I make, though not quite. What Mexican places do you usually go to? Sat Oct 31 13:13:10 -0700 2009 5145221 282878 kaitlyn142 2 5146521 Well, lately it's a walk to Maria's or El Burrito Junior for a quick taco with shredded beef or to Riviera Mexican Grill also off of PCH in Redondo (usually get their faijita tostada bit I also like their burritos and combos) since I moved to the South Bay. There is this lil' Mom and Pop place in Harbor City (PCH and Normandie) that I've been for tortas... which were pretty good and definitely unhealthy (and the name escapes me). When I lived in Los Feliz, I'd go to Yuca's. Where do you normally go? Sun Nov 01 06:55:56 -0800 2009 5145415 89472 DrBruin 3 5146656 Dr. B. Have you ever been to Rosa's La Cabana on Hawthorne near ABC pool? Formerly was Freddie's and she bought him out a couple of years ago. She has added alot of new items to her menu. I always ask for the HOT salsa and add it to her regular stuff. This is a small family run place with some fairly good Mexican food. Sun Nov 01 08:08:05 -0800 2009 5146521 166707 JEN10 4 5146934 No, I haven't... will check it out.... I loooove hot salsa! Sun Nov 01 10:27:22 -0800 2009 5146656 89472 DrBruin 5 5147059 I you ask they will give you the roasted Jalapenos as well, whoooo Sun Nov 01 11:24:55 -0800 2009 5146934 166707 JEN10 3 5147747 I don't really eat much Mexican. I can't stand cilantro, but I'm slowly being able to tolerate it with exposure. Kinda. Depending on how it's used. Ortega 120 was one of my first times eating Mexican since moving to SoCal. Sun Nov 01 16:48:15 -0800 2009 5146521 282878 kaitlyn142