Situated on a quiet, pretty block of Lancaster Avenue, Zocalo has been turning out contemporary Mexican fare for nearly 20 years. Hand-carved and painted wooden chairs fill the interior with vibrant primary colors, and the sound of gurgling water tinkles through a renovated patio that's filled with shade. The food is also a refreshing departure from what has long passed for "authentic" in these parts. Enchiladas come drenched in a dark mole that's appealingly bittersweet. Pollo santuario features a pounded chicken breast topped with chorizo whose smokiness contrasted nicely with the tang of a fresh tomatillo sauce. Our favorite dish, however, has got to be the sik-il-pak, a Mayan mince of toasted pumpkin seeds, jalapeños, habaneros, garlic, cilantro and onion. How to describe the salty, spicy pop of this healthy appetizer? If Cortés had tasted it, he might have discovered a purpose higher than pillage. Open for lunch Mon.-Fri., noon-3 p.m.; open for dinner Mon.-Fri., 5-10 p.m.; Sat., 5-11 p.m.; Sun., 5-9 p.m.

No comments have been posted for this restaurant