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| Loca Luna (casual - tapas) ***1/2 836 Juniper Street Atlanta, GA 30308 404-874-4494 www.Loca-Luna.com Latin music, inexpensive, tasty eats, a vibrant crowd, tropical-themed décor. These are the ingredients of a good time in Miami Beach—or Midtown Atlanta. Recognized as one of USA Today’s top spots for dancing, Loca Luna (“crazy moon” in Spanish) is fun, fun, fun. MENU: *** Tapas (small plates to share) are the bulk of the menu, ranging from $5-7; there are also soft tacos ($3 each) and a made-to-order paella (topping the list at $19). Although there’s a fairly limited selection for vegetarians, everyone else will enjoy exploring the range of familiar and more exotic offerings. There’s also an evolving wine list and specialty drinks. FOOD QUALITY: *** Chef Fidel Perez is turning out solid food for rock-bottom prices, so don’t expect free-range chicken. Still, the calamari isn’t chewy and the ribs aren’t fatty. FOOD PRESENTATION: *** This isn’t haute dining, so there’s no creative garnishing, but everything looks appetizing. ATMOSPHERE: **** Part New Orleans in the courtyard (brick walls, a fountain, greenery), part Rio in the main dining room, Loca Luna is a winning combination of high-energy verve. There’s live music nightly, so you’ll see some very accomplished dancers, but lots of beginners, too on the floor, everyone having an alcohol-spiked blast. CLEANLINESS: *** The floors are sometimes sticky (must be all those blended drinks), but the place is cleaner than most houses. SERVICE: **** An attractive young wait staff checks in frequently to replenish drinks or offer more tapas. MENU RECOMMENDATIONS: I love, love, love the ostiones, crispy sautéed oysters served in the shell with a smoky coconut curry cream. The cherry tomato and house made mozzarella salad is enliven with pesto. Don’t miss the costillas espanolas are tender, grilled ribs in a sherry reduction. The parmesan potatoes harken back to mom’s scalloped ones. The full-size fish tacos are chock full of tilipia and served with a creamy dipping sauce. A bottle of Riax Baixas, a floral Spanish wine, is a great accompaniment to the food. OVERALL RATING: ***1/2 You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more convivial time in the city, whether you’re with a date or a group of 20. Soak in the Latin rhythms, lap up a plate of plantains and slurp on a Caipirinha (Brazil’s lime, sugar and firewater national drink) with abandon. You might even go a little “loca” yourself. review by Suzanne Wright |
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