Las Vegas: Mexican restaurant takes its cue from the capital

Downtown Las Vegas has a new entry in its growing galaxy of bars and restaurants. La Comida, with a menu inspired by the cosmopolitan fare of Mexico City, is the first foray in downtown for Jenna and Michael Morton, longtime nightclub operators and restaurateurs on the Strip.

The Mortons have brought downtown’s funky vibe to their latest venture, which is in a former laundry about a block-and-a-half off the Fremont Street Experience. The eatery is easy to spot thanks to the 7-foot-tall sculpture of a monkey on the roof. Its “bones” are made of flashing pink neon.

“Normally we would want everything to be perfect,” Michael Morton said in a news release. “But with La Comida, anything that is out of order or not perfectly aligned just adds character and familiarity.”

Guests enter through the back alley. Once inside, they can cool off with a margarita made from one of the dozens of tequilas on offer. They’re made with a mix of fresh fruit purees in flavors including guava, prickly pear and tamarind.

Executive chef Pablo Sanchez-Ortiz has been cooking since his grandmother began teaching him when he was 7. His appetizers include a classic pozole made with hominy, pork, avocado and shredded cabbage and a Mexican street corn dish flavored with cotija cheese, cayenne pepper, butter and mayonnaise.

Entrees include pollo al horno (chicken with squash in an achiote sauce) and puerco ahumado (smoked pork shoulder with adovada sauce and plantain chips).

La Comida is open weekdays for lunch and Tuesdays through Sundays for dinner. Info: (702) 463-9900.

Follow us on Twitter @latimestravel and like us on Facebook