Encanto

​​Encanto is a new Mexican restaurant in Los Feliz that feels like a secret basement party. Although only in their soft launch phase, when we stopped here on a random Friday, the dining room was buzzing, mezcal was flowing, and a whole giant fish found its way to our table. Encanto manages to walk the line between lots of energy, and enough room to feel comfortable—they have a huge indoor space on Hillhurst, but leave a ton of space between tables so you never feel too close to anyone. The menu is short and compact, full of crunchy caesar salads, lamb neck supplied by McCall’s Meat & Fish Co. next door, and sweet potatoes drenched in fermented hot sauce. Come here before a late-night showing at the Los Feliz 3, or stop in for a drink with a date or lover. It’s the kind of place that feels completely alive—a.k.a. exactly the kind of place Los Feliz needs.