If you’re like me, the thought of trying all the BEST restaurants in Los Angeles is so daunting, it is almost unbearable. My list seems to be constantly growing at a rate that I just cannot keep up with! Somehow, however, I ended up coming across “Tocaya Organica” in Venice Beach a couple weeks ago when I was looking for places I wanted to add to my “Vegan, Healthy, Vegetarian Go-To Eateries” project. With some more investigation, never would I have guessed that it was part of a restaurant group- Madera.

Along with Tocaya Organica’s couple locations, the Madera Group also is the parent to Toca Madera in West Hollywood. I have now been to both concepts, and am impressed.

While Tocaya Organica is more of a fast-casual concept (see my Vegan blog post for details), Toca Madera is a fancier, more-intimate, lounge-like venue with a heavy emphasis on drinks. This is more a place you come to get full off of fancy cocktails, wine, or beer; as opposed to somewhere you go to get full off of a meal. With that being said, the food portions are small, but they are very tasty. Highlights include :

• Warm, homemade tortillas with salsa and HONEY BUTTER (complimentary) to start teasing your tastebuds for the rest of the meal. Honestly, I think that the honey butter at Toca Madera is the best I have ever had. Yes- better than Lucille’s BBQ.
• Guacamole with Plantain Chips – The guacamole is also some of the best in my books. So light and fresh tasting. He made it right at our table, so I’m not sure what made it so magical? It was just as delicious at Tocaya Organica – especially with those plantain chips! I can’t get enough!
• Sweet Corn Tamales – I had these at Tocaya and LOVED them, so had to get them here also. Just as amazing!
• Chipotle Caesar Salad with Chicken – Solid salad. Good flavor.
• Crispy Shell Short Rib Tacos -Very tiny, almost bite-sized tacos, but tasty! Short rib was cooked very well!
• Shrimp Picante – LOVED the sauce on this dish and the freshness of the shrimp.

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• Tres Leche Cake – More like a white cake with frosting, but VERY good. The perfect sweet treat to end the night.
• A Night in Tulum & Guava Margarita – Both ok. I was hoping for more flavors of the ingredients other than alcohol  in both. The guava was not a pronounced flavor in the margarita.

 

Overall? Toca Madera is a super fun spot for a night out in WeHo. Service was excellent, and I especially love how they have a SEPARATE VEGAN menu to make things easier! It is often times hard to find vegan options at more upscale, drink-heavy places like this, so props to Toca Madera!

Make sure you try the guacamole and tamales!