There’s something about an inset, upstairs entrance to a restaurant that just feels special. It’s like an exclusive club, a neon sign that lights up a stairway in a sensual way, inviting you into a wonderful experience that unfolds before your eyes. As you walk into the Mirate, the restaurant seem to sprawl on, a bar, lounge, alcoves of dining spaces that opens up to a grand staircase down into a rustic open air courtyard under a twinkle light adorned canopy of branches. The warm colors, textiles and ample greenery in the dimly lit space make it feel intimate without being crowded.

The menu is as Mexican as it is Californian, featuring local produce in sharable snacks and plates, with vegetable-forward dishes as indulgent as the meat and seafood specials. They go hard on the drinks menu, with many mezcal-driven cocktails that range from classics to originals to slushies for hot days. They also have a selection of Mexican wines so you have many choices in beverage pairings. Mirate is the kind of place that could totally get away with just being a vibe and catering to a scene, but actually takes the food and drink seriously, making it a notable addition to the Los Feliz food scene.