El Granjero Cantina

Contemporary El Granjero Cantina’s Startling Contemporary Cuisine

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(Gerry Furth-Sides, content and Michael Brown photos courtesy of El Granjero Cantina) El Granjero Cantina invites everyone to celebrate the historic holida of  Cinco de Mayo with special dishes and cocktails Thursday, May 5th, 2022, from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.

A Strawberry Margarita at El Granjero Cantina

Executive Chef Jenni Sklar will also be featuring three festive specials including her FRY-CHOS made of fries, guajillo cheese sauce, black olives, pickled onions, salsa verde, pico de gallo and sour cream, Lobster Tacos with luscious crispy lobster, cabbage slaw, and spicy aioli, and Steak Taco comprised of asada-style skirt steak, guacamole, corn salsa, Cotija cheese, and cilantro served with herb rice and beans.

What would a Mexican party be without delicious chips and guac?

The cantina’s new location at the historic Original Farmers Market adds to the holiday features an inviting indoor-outdoor seating and great patio for people watching, 

El Granjero offers a daily selection of Tacos, Dorados,Vegan Tacos, Salads, Bowls, Burritos, Quesadillas, Tequila, Mezcal, Top Shelf Margaritas, Sangria, Specialty Cocktails and Cerveza, Mocktails.

A contemporary spread of dishes at El Granjero Cantina

Executive Sklar‘s menu features regional Mexican flavors. She takes care to use seasonal and fresh ingredients. On the list is a selection of Antojitos (Snacks) including GuacamoleFiesta Nachos, Papas Fritas and Pork Belly, and  Ensaladas (Salad).

Chef Sklar’s signature Caesar Salad prepared with classic romaine lettuce, adds cured egg yolk, sunflower seeds, and breadcrumbs. A more trendy dish of greens is the Kale Salad made with avocado, griddled cheese, house pickles, corn, and black bean salsa.

El Granjero Cantina house favorites include The HIBISCUS featuring sauteed hibiscus flowers, onion, and cheese. The Queso is prepared with cheese, black bean puree, salsa negra, and escabeche relish served with lettuce.

El Granjero Cantina‘s contemporary Quest
El Granjero Cantina‘s contemporary Quest

Chef Sklar’sTacos include AvocadoBeefCarnitasChicken or Crispy Fish. The Dorados (Golden Tacos) are lightly fried to perfection with options of Chili Braised Beef & CheeseTomatillo Chicken & Cheese, and Soyrizo & Vegan Cheese.

Patas Fritas at El Granjeo Cantina

The Los Tazones (Bowls) include the California-inspired Crispy Avocado Bowl prepared with chipotle aioli, marinated kale, corn, black bean salsa, and pickled red onions. Other choices are the Chicken BowlBeef BowlCarnitas Bowl,Seared Fish Bowl, or Keto Bowl with a diner’s choice of protein with cauliflower rice, griddled cheese, cabbage slaw, marinated kale, and crema.

Chef Sklar also includes family favorites and sides for a full Mexican meal. This translates to Cheese and Chicken Enchiladas; Carnitas and Chili Beef Burritos. Acompanantes (Sides) include AvocadoBlistered JalapenoCauliflower RiceCorn TortillasFlour TortillasGuacamoleBlack BeansBlack Bean Puree, and Herb Rice.

Bowls at the new El Granjero Cantina

“We make everything in-house from our pickles to our salsas, carnitas, and our tortillas,” states Sklar.  El Granjero Cantina’s tortillas are extremely special. Sklar spent months looking for the perfect blend of fresh corn masa and maseca (dry corn flour) to create a unique texture that resembles a flour tortilla. Says Sklar, “Our Tortillas are soft, pliable, full of moisture and fantastic flavor. The density reminds me of a tamale and every tortilla is handmade to order every time.”

El Granjero Cantina’s bar program, created by Cocktail Consultant Tobin Shea, honors traditional agave-based spirits from Mexico with a specially curated list of Tequilas y Mezcal showcasing a special selection of Blanco TequilaReposado TequilaAnejo Tequila, andMezcal.

They describe their fun and frothy Frozen MargaritasCocktails on Tap, and collection of Classic Margaritas 

Specialty Cocktails at El Granjero Cantana

Specialty Cocktails such as the EGC Old Fashioned comprised if reposado tequila, mezcal, Meletti Amaro, and orange, Lifesaver made with mezcal, Fiero, lime and pineapple syrup, and Rasp-Hib Cocktail prepared with guests choice of tequila, Italicus, hibiscus tea, lime and soda.

And, to make sure this is the ultimate Cinco de Mayo celebration El Granjero Cantina will be serving up a SHOT & BEER  featuring a shot of Cazadores tequila and Modello ($12), Patron Margarita ($16) prepared with Patron silver, fresh lime juice, Cointreau, and agave, fresh Frozen Strawberry Margarita ($14) made with Cazadores tequila, Fiero, strawberries, lime, and sugar. 

Cazadores and Patrón will add to the party by serving samples from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm to guests 21 and over. In addition,  El Granjero Cantina will also be offering select BeerWine, house-made Sangria, and non-alcoholic beverages such as El Granjero Cantina’s handmade Horchata and freshly carbonated Agua Frescas

A party would not be complete without music. Live Mariachis will be performing from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, so come sip, savor, and celebrate at El Granjero Cantina atThe Original Farmers Market this Cinco de Mayo!

El Granjero Cantina will be open on Cinco de MayoThursday, May 5th, 2022, from 10:00 am to 8:00pm. For more information about El Granjero Cantina at The Original Farmers Market or to make reservations,please call 323.879.9324 directly or visit www.CantinaLA.com.

Want more stats to impress your friends on on Margarita preferences state-by-state? Head over to Shane Co.’s The Loupe Blog for the full post — including sweet and salty insights like just how much Americans spend on average per year, $331! 

  • The most popular combination is classic lime margarita with Patrón tequila, on the rocks, with a sea salt rim, voted a favorite by 20 states. 
  • Wisconsin, Florida, and Oklahoma have the highest margarita tolerance – reporting it takes more than 3 to get tipsy compared to the national average of 2.5. 
  • On average, the most Americans are willing to pay for a margarita at a bar or restaurant is $10.97 
  • The average American drinks 30.18 margaritas per year! With 83% of respondents saying they prefer regular to skinny margs. 
  • 31% of Americans said they would choose margaritas over coffee if they could only have one of either for the rest of their lives.
Taibo at the statue of Juarez in Mexico City (Netflix documentary above and below)

The Battle of Puebla is important in Mexican history as an inspiration for freedom and overcoming the odds for it. This is true despite a second battle that ended differently with the French overtaking Mexico City and Napoleon the III eventually establishing  his second Mexican empire outpost that lasted a few years. The reason was to replace the land his uncle sold to Thomas Jefferson in the Louisiana Purchase.  

What we remember, though is that although considerably outnumbered in this last stand to take over Mexico City, the ragtag assortment of 4000 Mexican soldiers defeated a much better-equipped, over-confident French army twice the size that had not been defeated for almost 50 years.  Credit goes to a young General Zaragoza who inspired them, calling them, “the best children of Mexico.”

Paco Ignacio Taibo II’s book traces Mexico’s revolutionary history from 1854-1867, a period he considers foundational to the country.  Watch the  Netflix documentary of it, showing Taibo tracing the route with other historians while narrating the captivating story.

Book These Five Top Unusual Ethnic Valentine’s Week-End

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(Gerry Furth-Sides) New fascinating favorites this year for Valentine’s Day include a new chef at The Raymond with its history of regional cuisine. Also new and destination-drive worthy is a contemporary Indian Restaurant, ARTH BAR+KITCHEN and , a new Mexican eatery, El Granjero Cantina. Offers that extend the entire week-end mean a chance to try them all.

ARTH BAR + KITCHEN

At ARTH BAR + KITCHEN:Arth Bar + Kitchen, Executive Chef Sagar Ghosh will be serving up extraordinary modern Indian fare. His Signature Menu include Small PlatesShared AppetizersEntreesSidesTandoor Fresh Baked BreadsRice, and Dessert for Lunch all weekend long and on Valentine’s Day.

For Valentine’s Weekend Dinner, Chef Gosh offers 9 Starters featuring Tandoori ShrimpMustard & Dill Salmon, and Lamb Chops9 Main Dishes spotlighting the Arth Signature Chicken Tikka MasalaPeking Duck Pepper, and Malabar Lobster Curryspecial Sides including Chef Sagar’s Garlic Butter NaanChili Cheese NaanOnion & Goat Cheese Kulcha, and Burnt Garlic Raita.

2 Desserts showcase the seamless melding of classic and contemporary in the Gulab Jamun Thandai Trifle and the Date Palm Jaggery Tapioca KheerHead Bartender Lexi Kim will also be shaking up Arth Bar + Kitchen’s Lychee Martini prepared with Tito’s vodka, lychee liqueur, lychee juice and elderflower liqueur, and Mira Meets Pedro made of Nosotros Reposado Tequila, Cointreau, tamarind, spicy bitters, JaUeera, Himalayan salt, and Indian chile, making these the perfect Valentine’s Day libations!

Arth Bar + Kitchen hours:  Friday, February 11thSaturday, February 12thSunday, February 13th, and Valentine’s Day, Monday, February 14th, 2022, from 11:30 am to 10:00 pm. For more information, please call Arth Bar + Kitchen at 424.503.4155; Arth Bar + Kitchen 9531 Culver Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90232; www.ArthLA.com

ARTH tablescape photo by Tonelson

EL GRANJERO CANTINA’s Executive Chef Jenni Sklar is offering a special modern Mexican LUNCH & DINNER FOR TWO MENU ($60) featuring a Caesar Salad for Two,Two Surf & Turf Taco Plates comprised of Beef & Shrimp Veracruz Tacos served with rice and beans, and Tres Leches Cake for Two for the perfect sweet finish. 

El Granjero Cantina will also be offering their signature menu showcasing Chef Jenni’s Antojitos (Snacks)Ensaladas (Salad)QuesadillasTacosLos Tazones (Bowls)BurritosAcompanantes (Sides), and Desserts for all sweethearts and singles to enjoy. 

Three specialty Valentine’s Daycocktails created by Tobin Shea Including the Spicy Lover made of mezcal, lime, honey and spicy tincture, Cupid’s Arrow prepared with Casa Rica Rosado, fregola, lime, and agave, andLove Potion with guest’s choice of spirit, hibiscus, raspberry, lime, and soda for the perfect toast to say Te Amo!

El Granjero Cantina will be open for Valentine’s Day Weekend on Friday, February 11th, 2022, from 11:30 am to 9:30 pm, Saturday, February 12th, 2022, from 10:00 am to 9:30 pm, Sunday, February 13th, 2022, from 10:00 am to 8:30 pm, and on Valentine’s Day, Monday, February 14th, 2022, from 11:30 am to 8:00 pm. For more information or reservations, please call El Granjero Cantina directly at 323.879.9324; El Granjero Cantina at The Original Farmers Market Los Angeles is located on the plaza 6333 W. 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA  90036; 323.879,9324; www.CantinaLA.com

El Granjero Cantina Tablescape Photo by Michael Brown

 

THE RAYMOND 1886:

At our very favoriteThe Raymond 1886 in South Pasadena, Executive Chef Gabriel Cappelli offers a decadent Valentine’s Day Four-Course Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu ($120.00 Per Person)The meal begins with Bread and Truffle Butter and the AMUSE featuring Roasted Fanny Bay Oyster with white wine vinegar beurre blanc roasted shallots and thyme.

The First Course is comprised of a Seasonal Mixed Greens with avocado, citrus, fried onion sprouts in a buttermilk dressing. The Second Course showcases a Tuna Tartare with uni cream, egg toast and miso oil.

The Third Course comes with a choice of the Pan Seared Duck Breast prepared with braised cabbage, beetsyam and local carrot purée, crispy wild rice pilaf, crème fraiche and dill, Broiled Halibut served with black trumpet mushrooms, collards, orange preserves and bone marrow, or the Filet Mignonprepared with pressed potatoes, turnips, watercress purée, and beef jus (Black Truffle Shavings + $35).

Valentine’s Day Fish at The Raymond 1886, photo by Fried Chicken Sandwich Studios

Desserts of the Fourth Course alone are destination drive worthy! It is a choice only of sharing to experience both the White Chocolate Mousse served with hazelnut, sage, blueberries, and house-made yogurt, or Sorbet & Ice Cream. 

White Chocolate Mousse dessert at The Raymond 1886, photo by Fried Chicken Sandwich Studios

1886 Jesus Gomez’s Valentine’s Day Cocktails including the Clover Club made of egg white, gin, lemon, sugar, and raspberries, Professional prepared with nigh-proof bourbon, Jamaican run, and Campari, or the Antilles comprised of cognac, dry vermouth, sweet vermouth, and orange flower. 

The Raymond 1886 will be open for Dinner on Valentine’s Day, Monday, February 14th, 2022,from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm. For more information or to make reservations, please call The Raymond 1886 directly at 626.441.3136; 1250 South Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91105; 626.441.3136; www.TheRaymond.com