Babita Restaurant
(626) 288-7265
1823 S San Gabriel Blvd
San Gabriel,
CA
91776
34.0765
-118.0909
Neighborhood: Garvey
What People Are Saying About Babita Restaurant
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
When the acclaimed El Emperador Maya closed, chowhounds hungry for authentic Mexican flavors languished at the gates for another miracle. The wait for Babita was worth it; the restaurant dishes out inspired Mexican food from the same modest quarters, a dressed-up living room, with maternal service tableside.
The Food
Chef Roberto Berrelleza accents traditional dishes with gourmet flourishes, such as balsamic vinegar drizzled over fried bananas, snapper garnished with mango-lime relish and rice pudding brûlée. The real hits are dishes rarely translated onto American menus. Lamb shank mixiote is marinated in dry chili sauce and steamed in beer until tender. Cochinita pibil, a Yucatecan dish, is baked in banana leaves till it's falling apart. But culinary thrill seekers should heed the servers' warning about the searing camarones topolobampo--plump shrimp blanketed in scorching habanero sauce with a heat that picks up momentum like a runaway semi.
User Reviews
Hoplow
June 18, 2008
I have been to Babita on numerous occasions. I fancy myself as a bit of an expert when it comes to Mexican food. My wife is from Mexico and we have travelled a decent amount. The weekend jaunt to Puerto Nuevo for lobster, Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, Tonala, Tlaquepaque, Monterrey...most recently through Merida, Uxmal, Chichen Itza, Cancun and other cities in Quintana Roo. The dishes are all authentic with the chef's own spin on flavor. The dishes from the Yucatan are excellent. It is not easy to find most of these dishes locally. The desserts are great and the wine list is decent. My wife and I have taken many friends here with rave reviews. The neighbor hood isn't the best, it looks small and run down from the outside. Inside is cozy and romantic. The main dining are is small but there is a larger room for big parties. The staff is mellow but attentive, reminiscent of Quintana Roo where they have a slower pace of life and enjoy every moment to the fullest. This doesn't mean the service is bad, it's a different culture coliding with ours. The prices are not bad considering that you can't get these dishes other places.
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milkboy33
February 28, 2008
I came here for lunch and was really impressed. It's a very small family owned restaurant. I couldn't tell from the looks on the outside what to expect on the inside. It was very classy and homely. The Mexican food had a French flare with a touch of Cuban cuisine. It was a bit pricey, but worth the try. I think it's very hard to find nice, cozy, sit down time spanish restaurants around this area. I definitely recommend.
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snakeskin
February 12, 2008
First of all the place itself was not impressive at all. I went here some weeks ago because many coworkers recommended it. The place is so small. You'd think that by now they have made enough money with their over the top prices to update the location. At least clean the inside of the restaurant. I felt like I was going into my dirty neighbor's house here in east LA. The food was okay but not great. It seems like this restaurant just caters to rich people. When I went I was the only mexican person there. Everybody else was white. Que van a saber ellos de autentica comida mexicana. I felt like it was a rip off. $30 for a chili pepper with ground beef inside. I don't think so. I've had better mexican food for less than half the price! Its okay to go once to see what the big fuss is. I wouldn't go again. Then the service was bad. I kept asking one of the girls questions about the dishes and she didn't even know! She had to ask this other lady. This lady even gave us wrong information on where the dishes were from. The desserts were a joke. They were not good nor inventive. I'm not a chef and I can make better desserts than what they offered. Very dissapointed. Save your money.
read full reviewThe Details on Babita Restaurant
When to Go:
Chilies en nogada is a specialty of Chef Berrelleza. Plan on visiting when pomegranates are in season (Sept.-Dec.). That's the only time you'll find the dish on the menu.
Know Before You Go:
Although the restaurant may seem small at first glance, there's a back room that can be reserved for larger parties.
When to Go:
Chilies en nogada is a specialty of Chef Berrelleza. Plan on visiting when pomegranates are in season (Sept.-Dec.). That's the only time you'll find the dish on the menu.
Know Before You Go:
Although the restaurant may seem small at first glance, there's a back room that can be reserved for larger parties.
Category:
Restaurants, Ethnic Food Markets
Restaurant Special Features:
Local Favorite, Family-Friendly Dining, Romantic Dining, Group Dining, Private Rooms
