A good margarita can sometimes be a rarity. It’s easy to find all kinds of achingly sweet, slushy messes served in Goliath sizes troughs at a number of local bars and restaurants, but if you want a really good margarita, they way they are supposed to be made, you have to find a good, authentic restaurant.
Lares on Pico in Santa Monica is one of those places. The margaritas are GOOD. Not too sweet, a nice kick, and a wonderfully wide rimmed glass so you can squeeze in as many salty sips as you need. They also do margaritas by the pitcher, which actually taste just as good as ordering by the glass.
The food at Lares is simply delicious. A basket of crisp, warm homemade tortilla chips and homemade salsa will quickly find its way to your table. Their wide range of tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and many other traditional Mexican dishes aren’t too expensive - pretty much everything on the menu is under $20, lots of it under $15. It all tastes and looks very freshly made.
Some things for the more adventurous to try include cactus salad and lengua (cow tongue). They also have breakfast for anyone who ventures there in the morning.
The atmosphere in Lares is wonderful as well. Heavy, rustic wood accents make it feel very old world Mexican. During the dinner hours there is often a Mexican guitar player or two that stroll through the eating area and take requests.
A small lot in the back turns to valet at night for $5. If you don’t do valet, there is meter parking up and down Pico and free parking on the side streets. Hours are every day from 8am to 1am.
Lares Restaurant
$
2909 Pico Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 829-4550
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1 response so far ↓
1 Bobbie // May 31, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Sounds good Devon! I vote for this place for our next writer’s meeting.
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