
A three kabob chicken plate is $10. It comes with rice, salad and homemade hummus. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Chef Alex Tobia makes his own baklava, with honey, cinnamon and nuts in flaky sheaths of phyllo. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

The modern restaurant in the warehouse district at the southeast edge of downtown serves contemplative dishes, including these chicken enchiladas in mole. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
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Alfonso Herrera shakes up a cocktail at the bar. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Shrimp enchiladas are served with a yellow mole and rice. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Dan Fernandez, left, and Ben Garcia dine at Yxta Cocina Mexicana. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Yxta Cocina Mexicana is on Central Avenue at 6th Street, amid warehouses and industrial buildings downtown. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
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Customers jam the front of the Tacos Tumbras a Tomas stall inside the Grand Central Market on Broadway. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

The stuffed Torta Cubano goes for $6.50. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Tomas Martinez, who with his brother Manuel runs Tacos Tumbras a Tomas, presides over a busy counter, where the specialty is Michoacan-style carnitas. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)