Recently, it was a cloudy, cool day in Los Angeles and it reminded me of Sunday brunches in my beloved New York City.

Rumor has it that Petty Cash Taqueria is a happenin’ new restaurant and I was curious to partake because I had enjoyed such delicious food, attractive surroundings and glowing ambiance at Walter and Margarita Manzke’s and restauranteur, Bill Chiat’s, other new establishment, Republique.  Read my review at: https://ifthedevilhadmenopause.com/vive-la-republique/

The mural on the outside by native Angeleno, Ricardo Estrada, draws you in. The surroundings are open, bright, friendly and clever. We sat close to the huge bay windows near the front of the restaurant on comfortable bar stools and an extended bench that hugs the hand-painted walls with murals by street artist RETNA. The majority of the restaurant invites communal seating in a spirited environment.

We were warmly welcomed by Arianna, a kick ass, energetic server who knew the menu well and advised us perfectly. We were surrounded by some real duds, but she had them conversing and smiling by the end of the meal.

I started my meal with a Petty Cash margarita. The drink was made with mezcal, lime citrus-spiked agave curacao ($11-with the good sh*t $14). My husband went wet and wild and indulged in The Brixton made with gin, poblano sorbet, habanero, fresh lime, flaming green Chartreuse ($11). Additionally, the beverage menu consists of a half dozen Julian Cox custom cocktails as well as wine, bottled and beer on tap.

The first 2 dishes blew my zapatos off. The bomb.com is guacamole topped with sweet, creamy sea urchin and also includes a cone of chicarrones, puffy fried pigskins still crackling from the oil ($12). The guacamole, which is made to order, was chunky and delicious and the addition of sea urchin made it out of this world.

 We ordered the most amazing hamachi ceviche with tomatillo and avocado ($19)…it was beyond fabulous.

We pulled back a bit and took a deep breath and ordered the refreshing kale salad with rainbow carrots, pomegranate, candied pecan adorned with chipolte-vinaigrette ($9).

We sampled the tacos. David ordered the charcoal grilled octopus taco (6.50) with chile de arbol, peanuts, jack cheese and avocado. I ordered the pork belly carnitas with salsa verde and guacamole ($5). I only dabble in meat these days and the offering was small so I went for it. I actually thought that the octopus was superior  to the pork belly. Not being a huge carnivore, I found it a bit gamey, but still very good.

We heard raves about the aguachile consisting of homemade clamato, wild  Sonora chiltepin cocktail and hamachi ($19). It is based on a favorite Tijuana street dish that Chef Walter Manzke loved. He grew up in San Diego and would cross the border to sample authentic local cuisine.

David was compelled to order it. A lot is made of the spicy Pacific Coast ceviche popular in local marisco restaurants and served in a stone molcajete, a rough mortar traditionally used to grind chile sauces and guacamole. The aguachile is a very tangy dish with and we selected chunks of tender and delicious hamachi (yellowtail).

The ceviche bar section is stocked full of amazing choices to include in the aguachile, sea bass ($5), octopus ($5), scallops ($6) and  little neck clams ($5). I lived vicariously through my husband as I was filled to the brim, although I could not resist a spoonful of spicy goodness.

Petty Cash tortillas are handcrafted from masa that are prepared daily in East Los Angeles by Mexican Senoras who have been taught by their mothers and grandmothers. The produced is farm to table and the restaurant has a roof-top garden, as well. The fish is sushi grade and comes from a local Japanese supplier. Petty Cash’s Chef de Cuisine is Fabian Gallardo.

One of the niceness moments was when the charming general manager, Melissa Powell, stopped by to chat. She is a smart, lovely, sophisticated woman and foodie…we enjoyed talking to her. Her resume is impressive, having worked at Chaya Downtown and Petrossian in West Hollywood.

We ended the meal with an amazing flan dessert…the best I have ever tasted. It was layered with the most insanely delicious caramel sauce presented in a mason jar.

Petty Cash Taqueria demands a repeat performance. Every aspect is delicious, charming and highly enjoyable. Comer alli ahora!

Petty Cash Taqueria 7360 Beverly Boulevard. Valet and street parking. Reservations on OpenTable. Open for dinner nightly. Monday 5-10pm. Tuesday-Saturday 5- 11pm. Sunday 12-10pm. Happy Hour 5-6pm M-F. pettycashtaqueria.com