Modern Mexican Finally Hits Long Beach with Playa Amor
The newest hot spot for Mexican food in the LA area is in Long Beach, but Playa Amor doesn't just serve great, traditional Mexican dishes. What sets it apart for me is Chef Thomas Ortega's own modern take on it, like what you will find with his Mole tot poutine (tater tots, mole negro, queso, cress, cilantro, onion, $8.50)
You may find the ubiquitous Charred brussel sprouts with a touch of Mexican flair with some cotija, lime juice, red wine vinegar, smoked jalapeno remoulade ($8.75)
On the other hand, you'll also fine very well executed versions of more typical dishes like the Shrimp ceviche (Mexican shrimp, pico de gallo, citrus juice, jalapeno, garlic aioli, cabbage, cotija, corn tostada, $12).
The shrimp tasted incredibly fresh and all the flavors are balanced just right.
Another one of my favorite Mexican street food is, of course, the Mexican Street Corn (roasted corn on the cob, cotija, roasted garlic aioli, chili dust, cilantro, $7)
The menu at Playa Amor weaves from fish tacos to the more unexpected Harissa and caramel sticky pork spare ribs (esquites, aji verde, cilantro, radish, fresno pepper, mint, $15)
Are these spare ribs Mexican? There are certainly Mexican ingredients and flavors like the aji verde, yet it's combined with harissa and a caramel glaze. It's time to drop the pre-conception of what we think Mexican food should be and just enjoy how the cuisine is evolving - because it's all good. Perhaps to something completely different, like the New Mexico Green Hatch Spaghetti (garlic cream, hatch chile, pecorino). This dish on its own is $12.75, but you can choose your own protein to add to this dish. We went with the shrimp for $5 more.
This was so good. I love the creamy spiciness, and it's another unique dish that fuses different cuisines. I personally thought the crisp, sweet shrimp works well with the spiciness and creaminess here, but you can also get it with beef or other proteins.
Again, you'll find more traditional dishes at Playa Amor, for sure. Everyone is raving about the Estilo Puerto Nuevo lobster (roasted Maine lobster, pico de gallo, clarified butter, rice, beans, and flour corn tortilla)
This is the dish that you might've seen a dozen times on articles, posts, and social media, the Puerto Nuevo style lobsters. Of course, how can you not? The Maine lobster was fresh, sweet, and cooked such that the meat is perfectly tender. It's served with the typical rice, beans, and tortilla.
Playa Amor is a fun and casual spot to go with friends, and their drinks are pretty good as well. There's the fruity and spicy El Chapo (Buchanan's 12, Sino reposado tequila, 03 liqueur, blood orange Monin, agave, limeade, jalapeno, saladito, $15)
To the more spirit-forward Old Fashioned variation, Estilo Viejo (Hornitos black barrel, aztec chocolate bitters, Luxardo cherry, orange peel, soda water, $10)
Pura Sangre (mescalito, agave nectar, orange liqueur, chimoy, limeade, infused salt rim, tamarindo candy, $10)
If you prefer a sweeter, blended drink, a great drink to get is the Playa Colada (Plantation pineapple dark and light rums, pineapple, coconut cream, coco water, $10)
The dessert menu is small, but again it has both the usual suspects like Churros with salted caramel ($7) to a tres leches variation with carrot cake.
Playa Amor is definitely a great addition to the Long Beach dining scene. While the neighborhood wasn't known for its Mexican cuisine, Playa Amor's fun, modern menu will draw not just the neighborhood residents, but food lovers far and wide. You'll probably find me heading to this Long Beach Mexican restaurant for some, yes, spaghetti.
Playa Amor
6527 Pacific Coast Hwy
Long Beach, CA 90803
(562) 430-2667
http://www.playaamorlb.com/
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