Casablanca: LA Restaurant Review

Disclaimer: This was NOT on our original list, but it should’ve been! Why? When I first arrived in LA to visit Fit’s family, on the way home from the airport, I remember her mum pointing this place out and saying, “they have the best tortillas ever.” I’ve heard that dozens of times over the years and we finally had the chance to try them out! (Fit went here from time to time while growing up.)

Next up in our Must-Visit LA Restaurants of 2018 project is Casablanca! So, a little more background before we talk food at Casablanca… our friends were in town and were nice enough to let us know! When we asked where they wanted to eat, one said that her brother recommended this spot since they were staying in Venice. I was thrilled to finally have the chance to test out Casablanca’s tortillas and I was NOT disappointed.

Even though we strolled in right around the start of peak dinner hours, they were already nearly full, but we were seated immediately. It is a very interesting spot: imagine a Hollywood-inspired building from a past century that transported you to Morocco and served you Mexican food. While it probably belongs closer to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, it fits in Venice very well. It’s been around forever. Warmth builds in the tight dining room with what feels like a low ceiling, especially when you notice the tortillas being made a few feet away and realize that the piano is behind played behind your back. This place has a lot of character. 

Then you look through the menu and realize that they have a sense of humor, stating that their burritos are nearly famous and their calamari are, in fact, world-famous. Well, I thought their tortillas were the LA-famous item on their menu, but apparently their selection of Tequila is legendary too! Whether it was a moment of pure distraction or a lack of interest in choosing from the menu, I opted for their signature ENCHILACA. How could I say no to it when it had a bold yellow laminated letter from 1990 stating that it was their “must” get item! 

Getting back on track–as soon as you sit down, you’re served tortillas with what appears to be a salsa verde. Yes, the tortillas are perfection. They’re hot and fresh flour tortillas that melt in your mouth. They might have very well been the best I’ve ever had. The salsa verde, however, lacked any heat. It had great acid and the large chunks of queso fresco added a brilliant textural contrast, but it could’ve used heat to make it much more complex and engaging. Don’t worry, we got the heat later, but first… margaritas.

The margaritas were served in colossal glasses, which unfortunately meant that they melted from blended into watery since they weren’t consumed fast enough. Still, they were impressive and no one complained about their quality! It is also worth noting that service was nearly top-notch, as waters were constantly filled and wait times were minimal. The only issue was that it took far too long to receive a “refill” on tortillas and our stomachs were packed with our main dishes by the time they came out.

As for the entrees, their approach is clearly to fill you up, whether to minimize the impact of the alcohol or just to make you feel warm and cozy. The quality of the food can’t compare to The Ponte in terms of technique or depth of flavor, but there were plenty of enjoyable aspects. Most of the entrees were large plates you’d expect to see if your grandmother made your plate. Alana’s was the most ridiculous, with separate bowls on her platter containing every component. It seems they really want you to build your own dish, to a certain degree. Obviously, having rice and beans are a given in a Mexican meal, so we had no quarrels, especially since the beans were flavorful and the rice was well-cooked. 

The enchilaca fell a little flat, overall. It was filling, but the mole lacked complexity in terms of flavor and the dish was mono-textural. I really wanted some more heat in there, although it had a nice smokiness. Also, I consumed what I HOPE was a bay leaf… otherwise, who knows what that was. The other two people at our table enjoyed their burrito and calamari, although I didn’t really have a chance to give either a fair tasting. 

As for Fit’s fish… it was definitely overcooked, but it didn’t lack flavor. It was smokey and briny, but dry. They served it with a “salsa” that definitely would’ve taken away from that dryness, except it was painfully hot. None of us really enjoyed it since it was far too spicy. We passed on any dessert because we were very full from their large portions and already decided to go to the Pie Hole, which Fit loves. 

At the end of the meal, we’d recommend coming to Casablanca for a true taste of LA’s culture and unique history. It is a fun dining experience that requires a few margaritas, and tortillas that can’t be missed, but you might want to stick to sharing appetizers, especially their calamari. And as always, stay hungry and fit!