Openings

Tlapazola’s New Digs in Venice

Photo: Hadley Tomicki

Tlapazola opened a third location today and we rejoice that it finally has a space its fine Oaxacan cooking deserves. On Venice Blvd., slightly east of Abbot-Kinney, this destination is much breezier and spacious than their small though splendid spots fighting for attention among Lincoln’s tire depots or the strip mall on Gateway.

Although the Tlapazola menu is intact according to owner Samuel Cruz, there is about 20% new stuff, with a heavy focus on lunch.

Three sandwiches (a chicken club with bacon and avocado, skirt steak with shitake and pasilla chile, and grilled salmon) have been added, as well as different combinations of standards and also carnitas, which the restaurant hadn’t served before. The best news to our ears is that this locale is embracing sand dabs in their kitchen, served with a lime caper sauce and an enchilada, perfect for post-beach afternoons.

Tlapazola, which emphasizes fine Mexican dining and urges fine wine consumption, should fit well into its new neighborhood, which though just a tortilla’s toss from its second one, has Abbot-Kinney’s well-scrubbed crowd to court instead of Lincoln’s.

Tlapazola
636 Venice Blvd.
Venice, CA 90291
(866) 377-7930

Tlapazola’s New Digs in Venice