Who needs to travel all the way to Oaxaca for some good regional cuisine? All you need to do is purchase tickets to the upcoming fundraiser, ROJO Sabor Latino, on Wednesday, Nov. 16. The event will feature the delicious tamales de mole from Restaurante Guelaguetza, located at 3014 W. Olympic Blvd., LA 90006.
A family-owned and operated business, Guelaguetza, is more than a restaurant, but a little taste of beautiful Oaxaca. Fernando Lopez and his wife and chef Maria Monterrubio opened up the restaurant in 1994. Today, their children Bricia and Fernando Lopez Jr. help run the place.
Inside Guelaguetza Restaurant -- Beautiful!
As you enter the restaurant, there is an altar for Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a small store selling moles, bread and Oaxacan chocolate. About 64% of the ingredients from chiles to cheeses are imported from Oaxaca. The bar specializes in Mezcal drinks and every night you’ll heard traditional Mexican music.
Where did the name of the restaurant come from? Guelaguetza, which means to share and give, is also the name of a huge festival celebrated in Oaxaca in July. Bricia Lopez said, “This is our way of sharing our culture to Los Angeles.” Catering and banquet facilities available. For reservations, call (213) 427-0608 or visit them online.
The owners shared with us a drink recipe that sounds absolutely yummy!!
Mez-Choco Cocktail
1 oz mezcal
1 1/3 oz of Baileys
Shaken
Serve with crushed ice and muddle with dark Oaxacan Chocolate
Rim with Oaxacan Chocolate crumbs (you can buy the Oaxacan chocolate online or at the restaurant).
Top off with a dash of Pierde Almas Tobaziche mezcal float (can be purchased at any high-end liquor store)
* To make the chocolate crumbs, heat the disk of chocolate for 10 seconds and crumble. Dip the rim of the glass in the chocolate and it will stick.
About ROJO Sabor Latino
The Wall Las Memorias Project, a non-profit dedicated to wellness and preventing illness among Latino populations affected by HIV/AIDS, will toast Latino visionaries at the 3rd Annual ROJO: Sabor Latino fundraiser featuring some of the best of Los Angeles’ Latino restaurants. La Guelaguetza and eight other high-profile restaurants will present unique dishes destined to tantalize taste buds. In addition to the food and music, The Wall will honor local Latino celebrities and athletes who have helped reverse the stigma of the epidemic in the communities that continue to be afflicted with this disease. Last year, The Wall honored actor Benjamin Bratt and brother Peter Bratt for their work in the film, “La Mission.” LatinoFoodie is a proud media sponsor.
Who: This year we are pleased to announce ROJO will honor award-winning actress Lupe Ontiveros (As Good As It Gets, Goonies, Real Women Have Curves, to name a few) and Chivas USA player Michael Lahoud.
Where: Cicada Restaurant; 617 S. Olive St. Los Angeles, CA 90014
When: Wednesday, November 16, 2011; 7 p.m. to 11 p.m
How much: $45 single tickets allow access to the event and food tastings from participating restaurants, including entertainment. Tickets can be purchased by visiting The Wall Las Memorias. All proceeds from ROJO will go to continuing the organization’s work. The Wall Las Memorias Project resides in Highland Park.
Event Sponsors: Wells Fargo, Southern California Gas Company, Time Warner Cable, Cicada, BIW Latin Division, LatinoFoodie Blog
About The Wall Las Memorias Project:
The Wall Las Memorias Project was founded in 1993 and constructed the only publicly funded AIDS monument in the nation and provides culturally sensitive cutting edge HIV and Meth education and prevention programs. The mission of The Wall-Las Memorias Project is dedicated to wellness and preventing illness among Latino populations affected by HIV/AIDS by using the inspiration of The AIDS Monument as a catalyst for social change.
