Two prized local purveyors of Mexican seafood and fish tacos have teamed up to bring you something new in Highland Park: Carnal, a self-described “cocina artesanal” (artisanal kitchen) focused on just about anything but seafood.
The concept was formed when the owners of Baja Cali Fish & Tacos invited chef Francisco Aguilar, the owner-chef of Simón, to take over their Figueroa Boulevard location. Carnal, the resulting concept, reflects a rancho-style of cooking merging with the consciousness of a chef professionally trained in Chiapas and Oaxaca.
The restaurant is currently soft-open and will hold its grand-opening on July 11 featuring a heavy, siesta-inducing brunch menu while Carnal's dinner concept is finalized in preparation of a debut in the next couple of weeks.
“I wanted to serve rancho food like I grew up with–heavy and rich," Aguilar tells L.A. Taco. "That’s how we eat back home.”
Some items are easily recognizable to those raised on such cooking, while the chef takes liberties with others.