Restaurant: Holbox [1, 2]
Location: 3655 S Grand Ave c9, Los Angeles, CA 90007. (213) 986-9972
Date: January 20, 2024
Cuisine: Mexican Seafood
Rating: Private room shenagigans
I’ve been meaning to try Holbox for a while — years even. Recently (summer 2024) they earning a Michelin Star!
One of just eight restaurants inside Historic South Central L.A.’s Mercado La Paloma, Holbox (from the Mayan-named island of Holbox – pronounced “hole-bosh” – off Mexico’s northern Yucatán Peninsula) is a Mexican seafood restaurant that focuses on fresh local ingredients, vibrant flavors, and unpretentious presentation. The menu features specialties from coastal regions of Mexico, seen through the lens of its southern California and Baja California ingredients. We offer a casual order-at-the-counter service in a food hall setting and also host weekly 8-course tasting menu dinners on Thursdays and Fridays.
Holbox emerged from the Mercado, where Chef Gilbert Cetina cooked alongside his father at the still vibrant neighboring stall, Chichen Itza. Holbox opened in 2017 and has continued to garner awards and recognition, including 1-Star Michelin 2024, Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2019, 2021, and 2022, LA Times Restaurant of the Year 2023, and ranked #5 on the 2023 LA Times 101 Best Restaurant list. Chef Cetina was a 2023 James Beard Finalist for Best Chef California.
Food court!
The actual space.
Typical line just about all the time.
Bovon setup this special dinner in their large but unglamorous “private room.”
Tonight’s menu.
All you can eat oysters.
And scallops.
These were served with a variety of toppings — hot sauce and vinegar.
Sea Urchin & Halibut. Live Santa Barbara Sea Urchin and local halibut ceviche.
Scallop Aguachile.
Bluefin Tuna Tostada. Baja bluefin tuna, avocado puree, arbol-peanut sauce.
Wagyu Taco. Miyazaki wagyu striploin, guacamole, handmade tortia, pico de gallo. Very tender.
Tomahawk. Grilled prime Tomahawk steak, roasted fingerling potatoes. This is not on their normal menu.
Rice and beans
Kanpachi al Carbon. Omega Azul Baja kanpachi cooked whole over mesquite, handmade tortillas, pico de gallo, avocado.
Tortillas.
Grilled lemons.
Cheesecake.
Almond Ricotta and Orange Old Fashioned Gelato.
The wines.
Very fun night. Food was good, although in some ways similar to Bea’s Tacos. The zesty seafood was better than the meats, as the steak was a bit overcooked. It’s not one of their normal things, only being available at this special private dinner.
