It's Taco Tuesday and I was craving Mexican food, but I didn't just wanna go to the type of place you think of when "Mexican" is brought up... I'm fancy, so I wanted something a bit more upscale. I did a little bit of research and wouldn't you know it... Colita came up. So here's how it went! Atmosphere/Appearance: Set south of downtown and a bit west of The Mall of America on Penn Avenue is this gem. There is no private parking lot, but plenty of street parking to leave your fly ride. But once you walk up to the restaurant you can immediately understand the message they're trying to send. Everything looks so modern, straightforward with straight lines, grey colors and light woods. There is a small outdoor section where you can dine if you get lucky enough to land a spot there. Inside carries a very similar style with a little nod to the pueblos and architecture of the southwest. The decor is minimalistic and the "loudest" thing in the room is the live plant wall seated directly behind the bar, which was super cool. Service: I can't remember who took care of us, but we had no issues whatsoever. Food/Drink: I was able to try so many different dishes and drinks here and the list is below... : Xochitl In Love : La Clandestina : Tuna Tostada : Chicken Tinga Tostada : Seared Scallops : Tlayuda : Colita Old Fashioned : Lamb Barbacoa Tacos : Duck Tamal However, my favorite things were the Lamb Barbacoa Tacos, Duck Tamal and Seared Scallops, in that order. The food here is phenomenal, the drinks are excellently crafted and things are served tapas style so you don't get too full off of just one thing! Order a whole bunch of stuff and share with the table! Value: As I mentioned earlier, I wanted upscale and the priced dddooo reflect that. Lol. This is a nice place so be prepared to spend... Like you're downtown somewhere. In conclusion, I loved this place and I will come back over and over. Check this place out the next time you're in the area! read more

Been to Colita a few times, great meal every time. The latest visit was with my best friend, we had a fun dinner catching up over delicious food. The Tostadas (one order of the Tuna and one order of the Charred Eggplant) were on point. The shrimp tacos and corn elote were yummy too. The Churros were amazing! - A great way to cap off a nice meal. Lucky to have such a great restaurant so close to where we live - my best friend and I both walked to the restaurant because of the snow. read more

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Colita has a light atmosphere, drawing from elements of nature to create a light ambiance; they have gorgeous natural sunlight from their large windows and an abundance of foliage. They are upscale, Americanized Mexican food with inventive dishes playing on traditional Mexican dishes. I loved the Rosas drink on the Zero Proof drink menu, it was the perfect combination of sweet and refreshing. From someone who loves elote, Colita's version is decent, served as esquites. Aguachile is really good, it was very light and fresh. Fried green tomato salad was decent, not nearly enough tomato's however, I wouldn't order again. There was one small tomato cut in fourths on the salad. Lamb barbacoa tacos were excellent, rich and tender. Churros were the star of the show, might've been best churros I've had! You could tell they were made fresh and were perfectly sweet and cinnamon spiced. I dined here this past July & the server was very helpful and attentive, the host was accommodating to our requests. read more

Colita - Mexican Coke, Rosas, Fried Green Tomato Salad, CORN ELOTE - New American Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Colita has a beautiful ambiance- loved the green wall behind the bar and soft lighting. The patio is a bonus. Food is served tapas-style, which was nice to try many things, but some dishes underwhelmed me- a few bites at a high price point. The eggplant was amazingly good. The cacio e pepe tostada and tuna tostada were tasty, but the tostada is exceptionally hard to break up and share with others- may have been better served on multiple smaller shells. Service was slow, but friendly. Reservations are a must. read more

You will need a reservation but we still had to wait for about 20min. I think they over booked. They also where slow in seating people. We saw tables ready for seating but they stayed empty for 5-10minutes. Food was excellent, no question. But overall Service was also very slow. We spent 2 hours 30minutes in there. The place was packed and it was very very noisy. read more

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The food was delicious and the service was top notch! We got there early and the place filled up quick. It is a casual, fun restaurant with good drinks and good food. It was a bit dark in there and the noise level picked up a bit, nothing I would complain about! Definitely hoping to return. read more

Colita - Appetizers MASA & GUAC - New American Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Went back for an early dinner to have our faves recently and they were as delicious as ever. Lamb barbacoa tacos & tuna tostadas - yum! Weird service experience seemed like a one off (at least I hope so!) I felt pretty rushed although the place was pretty calm (as in collecting plates while I'm holding and eating a taco + asking to bring the check while I'm mid-chew). We were in and out in 30 minutes, for better or worse! read more

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2nd time eating at Colita, with my wife on Valentine's Day. We shared four items. The Grilled Caesar was excellent and with a delicious flavor. The Roasted Sweet Potato was our favorite, with a rich remoulade greatly enhancing the potatos. I had the Lamb Barbacoa Tacos, which I liked, and my wife had the Cauliflower Tostadas which she also liked. The entire menu is full of choices that appeal to us so we look forward to a return visit. read more

Colita - Cauliflower tostada. - New American Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Love this place! I went with my bestie to celebrate her law school graduation. I love the plant wall behind the bar and the big open windows. It was pretty busy so make a reservation, but I feel that they served us promptly. Also -- best taco I have ever had. I will definitely be coming back! read more

Colita - PORK CHILORIO TACOS - New American Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Churros and chicken tostadas are a must. The shrimp tostadas are good but could have used a little more flavor. The plate you eat the churros on is not flat and we all kept tipping the plate to one side while cutting the churro. We would get the wagyu beef skewer again. Ambiance is simple but enjoyable. read more

Colita - New American Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Colita is the restaurant you recommend when you want to impress someone without making it obvious. Bold flavors, stunning cocktails, and a vibe that feels like a mini‑vacation. It's the place you go when you want dinner to feel like an experience, not an errand. Service 5 read more

Colita - LAMB BARBACOA TACO - New American Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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I've been to Colita one other time with some friends and left wanting more! I visited again and tried a variety of appetizers and dishes. The elote is great! Has a chipotle flavor but not spicy or overpowering. Very tasty and has a fresh feeling while eating. I would recommend if you've never tried Mexican corn, you'll like it! The masa and chips were really good! They give you the guacamole and 2 other dipping salsas, all were great. The color of the guacamole was beautiful! The shrimp tacos were great! I've had them before and wanted to try them again, did not disappoint. Seared scallops were my favorite, I will admit I do not like sea food and prefer to not eat it but I was very glad I pushed myself to try and enjoy this dish! If you're looking to try something new, with great service, wonderful staff, awesome ambiance then give Colita a try! read more

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Every year we try a new (to us) restaurant for my daughter's birthday. This year we decided to meet halfway and a 5pm reservation was perfect. The parking lot is small but plenty of room when they open. Upon arrival we were pleasantly greeted and seated. Our server promptly arrived for drink orders and we both opted for the Naked Dani. Amazing drink with salt foam on top and a mini rubber ducky. But we agreed we would never order it again as the glass was totally filled with mini ice pellets and there was very little liquid. At $17 per drink it was a waste of money. Plates are in 2 portions or meant for sharing. The Tuna Tostada had amazing flavor. Then the Cacio E Pepe Tostada was also excellent. They were so good that when they Shrimp Tacos arrived we thought they were so-so. But just in comparison to the previous dishes. The Lamb Barbacoa Tacos were back to amazing and we really liked the seared scallops. For dessert we had the churros and they were very good. FYI - they don't do anything special for birthdays. I expected at least some gesture since our dinner was almost $200. Service was great and most of the food was amazing. It is a splurge. read more

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Colita had been on my list for years- and it was so worth the wait. I love how fresh and seasonal everything was. I'm a HUGE fan of tapas because it allowed me to try SO MANY things. The Patio and the indoor areas are sleek but still cozy, and the staff clearly knows what they are doing!! read more

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Had a girls dinner at Colita as I've been dying to check them out for months! Made a reservation for 5:30pm on a Friday as I've heard they get very busy. They have a small parking lot, but was able to find street parking just fine since it was full. My first impression of Colita is how aesthetically pleasing it is. Its greenery, bright windows, and cozy atmosphere really set the tone for the evening. Our server was so kind and friendly upon arriving as well. We started with the smoked caesar and margaritas to start. Such a great choice! The tacos were quite tasty and I thoroughly enjoyed the handmade tortillas. If you're really hungry, I recommend ordering multiple plates as the serving sizes are smaller. But very good flavor and pairings for the taco choices. Would definitely return to try out other menu items and enjoy the ambiance. read more

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I've been to Colita a handful of times and I've never been disappointed! This is consistently a spot I take people wanting a stellar experience. Street parking is your best option but they do have a small lot if you're lucky! From the second you walk in, you are transported to a calm, cozy, resort-like setting. The live plant wall behind the bar and the twinkling candles in the wall alcoves make this one of the best interiors in the Cities! I'd highly recommend a reservation to ensure a timely seating! Service is always quick and goes above and beyond to make sure you have a stunning experience. The food and cocktails are some of the best in the City! It's sometimes hard to tell what a cocktail is based on the menu so I always engage the server in a conversation to make sure I land on one I love! The food is elevated Mexican, served in small plates. I'd definitely recommend 3-5 plates for a couple! My favorite items from our most recent trip were the Lamb Barbacoa Tacos and the Elote! Top notch spot for special occasions!! read more

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Happy we found Colita! While searching for a gluten free Mexican restaurant we came across this gem. Beautifully decorated, though a bit dark during a winter dinner, the dining area has a nice upscale feel to it. Service was excellent and informative. We started with the crispy Masa chips which had some of the best Guacamole ever and don't sleep on the hummus or the salsa because they were phenomenal. Next I had the Aguachile which was fresh, bright and bursting with citrus flavor. Finally we had the roasted sweet potatoes, the chicken Tinga Tostadas and the pork Chilorio tacos. Tinga was our favorite with more of those beautiful Masa tostados but all three dishes were excellent. Finally wrapped things up with the Churros. I typically don't like Churros as they always leave a greasy coating in my mouth but these were by far the best I've ever had and didn't feel overly greasy. We will certainly be back. read more

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Amazing flavors and entirely gluten free. I started with the smokey mescal old fashioned. The bartender also suggested an off menu tequila gimlet for my wife. The server was excellent at suggesting flavors based on appetites. The tuna tostada was simple and out of this world. The corn tortillas added a surprising amount of character. The aguachile was fine but I expected more yellow tail and tostadas to scoop them up. We ordered two tacos: shrimp and lamb. Eat the shrimp first to enjoy the light flavors. The lamb was the best! I closed my eyes while eating it. Deep rich smokey. For desert we had gf churros! Light and crispy outside, chewy inside, with caramel and cinnamon cream. The restaurant was packed and loud with conversations. We sat immediately next to people and could participate in our neighbors conversations. read more

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To start, this place is a bit tricky to get a reservation to as they book up due to popularity. I made my reservation for 4 people about a month and a half out for a Friday night at 6pm. Upon arriving, we had to park a few blocks away as the parking lot is quite small (~15 or so spots). They were able to seat us right away which was great! Our service was above standard which really enhanced our dining experience. They were attentive to clear plates quick due to limited table space and they even cleaned up crumbs on the table in between dinner and dessert. Every dish that was brought out to our table was explained to us in depth which we all appreciated. The portion sizes are quite small for their price point. We still managed to share everything but that meant we needed to order more to ensure we were satiated. For $20, I felt you should have been given 3 Tempura Fried Shrimp Tacos as opposed to just getting 2. At $10 per taco, it wasn't worth it to me. Same goes for the Horchata drink, for $10.50 the drink was mainly ice cubes. The Cacio e Pepe Stacked Tostadas were a fun grown-up take on your classic quesadilla. It was very rich, but fun to have those flavors and textures combined as usually you see Cacio e Pepe done pasta style. The Charred Eggplant Tostadas were delicious but I wish there was more burrata on top. Getting all three flavors of the charred eggplant, burrata, and the roasted tomato was mind blowing! I just unfortunately ran out of the burrata too soon. One thing to note for the Masa & Guacamole is that it's a sophisticated take on chips and guac, but the masa is served in 3 big strips so you have to break it apart to dip which was a fun dining experience! The Fried Green Tomato Salad was great but I wish the tomatoes were more thin, as they were wedge style for this salad and on the hard and sour side. If they were a little thinner, the breading to tomato ratio would be better! The inside is a cozy, candlelit modern vibe that makes you leave your worries at the door. For the parents of the group, I noticed at least one of their two gender neutral restrooms had a pull down changing table (the other one could have had one as well I just didn't check). Overall, I recommend you visit for a date night or girls night but be prepared to shell out the big bucks for the big flavors! read more

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Colita is a vibe. Beautiful decor, a garden wall in the bar area. Place was packed on a Friday night. Service was great. Drinks were amazing, I loved the Naked Dani. My favorite thing on the menu was the Ttlayuda. Which in the best possible way was the best tasting Mexican pizza I've ever had. Carnitas tacos were amazing. Gorditas were great and stuffed , but definitely needed the accompanying hot sauce and salsa. The only glitch was the Zabuton beef. It was not described accurately to us, it was a rare cold FATTY beef skewer. No one could eat it at the table. Server took it away and removed from our bill. Will be back! read more

Very special restaurant, perfect for date night, dinner with friends, taking your parents out for their birthday... The menu is diverse and there's really something for everybody. The food was really outstanding. There was an eggplant dish that was the best eggplant I've ever had, the lamb barbacoa was unique! I also loved the fried green tomato salad, the aguachile, and the scallops. Everything was excellent (except the brownie for dessert, that was only ok to be honest). The churros are what they're famous for on the dessert front and wow, for good reason. Also I love how flexible the staff are when it comes to portions. They'll gladly add an extra taco, tostada, whatever to make sure everyone gets to try what they want to. The group sharing is so easy! Love the vibe, adore the food. read more

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The food was delicious and the vibe is great. The only reason I am not giving this restaurant a 5 star review is simply based on plate size. We had a group of 4 so we decided to share dishes as recommended. Unfortunately, many of the dishes come in two so by splitting that into 4 it became more of a tasting menu than a meal. Fully understand that this restaurant is more of an elevated experience and I was prepared for the cost, but to walk out of the experience where we ended up getting snacks at the next place we went for cocktails because we were still hungry, dimmed the experience for me. Of the 6 dishes we got, my favorites were the Tuna Tostada, Miso Crusted Zucchini, and Lamb Barbacoa Tacos. Do NOT skip the churros for dessert! We were able to add a 4th one to the dish of 3 normally, which was great. I also of course had to get the famous rubber ducky drink. I really liked it! read more

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I can't believe I hadn't heard of Colita before-this place is a 100% gluten-free restaurant in Minneapolis, and it absolutely blew me away! I went with friends and we had such a great time. The atmosphere was lively but relaxed, and everything I tried was so good. I had the Pork Chilorio Tacos, which were totally stellar-flavorful, rich, and beautifully presented. I also treated myself to a Horchata (not pictured), which was such a fun and refreshing bonus since I can rarely enjoy drinks like that with my allergies. As someone with both gluten and dairy allergies, I felt incredibly well taken care of. There was a bit of initial confusion around some of the dairy ingredients, but the staff were quick to double-check everything and made sure I felt safe and supported. That kind of care goes a long way. To top it all off, I got to enjoy a Panna Cotta (made without the almond crystals since they're not dairy-free), and it was lovely. AND I cant forget to mention to iconic rubber duck drink! read more

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Wonderful date night on a beautiful patio. Service was good, as were the entrees. Dare I say one of the salads was the best thing. Despite 5 stars, there are 2 caveats: the bar drink with all the foam and rubber ducky was a bit tacky and over the top, didn't fit the vibe of the restaurant. And, we had the brownie for dessert, and it has some weird floral flavors we actually didn't finish it. I've never not finished a brownie. read more

High quality food, small plates, fun drinks, cozy vibes :) We had a Friday evening reservation and wow - they definitely pack a lot of tables & people into a small space! The service was great, super attentive and friendly. Food was fresh and flavorful, but expensive for the amount you get (about $10 per taco). Parking can be tough, so plan ahead if it's a weekend. To me, this is a perfect date night spot, it's intimate and you can split many apps together, especially the churros!! read more

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We had the shrimp tempura tacos and the tlayuda and they were both very tasty, but the dishes are definitely not very large so be prepared to order more than one (and spend about $50 per person) The atmosphere is pleasant and pretty and always buzzing. Tried the "La Clandestina" drink and the "Naked Dani #3" (rubber duck one!) and they were both tasty. Service was prompt and friendly. Make a reservation because there'll likely be a wait otherwise! read more

Colita - tlayuda and the shrimp tacos - New American Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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If you've had authentic pork street tacos and elote before, you will know that $22 and $16 for each respectively is ... a bit steep. I recommend this restaurant in spite of its prices. A lot of expensive restaurants can be gimmicky not worth it, but at Colita you will find genuinely creative and delicious riffs on authentic Mexican food. A dimly lit tropical ambiance, delicious and well-presented cocktails, and great staff makes Colita stellar for date night. p.s. Everytime I come here I sit at the bar - I like their bar ambiance. p.p.s. if it's date night for you, drive to lake Nokomis and rent a swan boat after! read more

Colita - Pork tacos, corn eltote, la clandestina, "rubber duckie drink," bar ambiance - New American Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Exciting, buzzing good fun! The drinks food which I only tried two appetizers fantastico Looking forward to going back for dinner OH! Bartenders are wonderful, knowledgeable, creative . My lychee martini wasn't on the menu BUT the amazing bartender took the challenge and it was DE-LISH! Thank you mr. Bartender with glasses read more

Colita - Lychee martini! Mmmmm - New American Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Colita offers a delightful modern twist on traditional dishes. We savored the octopus and scallops, which were simply fantastic. The service was impeccable, making our dining experience truly memorable. read more

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Great food and fun drinks in a vibrant space with lots of energy. Food is always flavorful and fresh. Fun touches were the branded ice cube in the tilted dish, and the uniquely shaped churros that were an amazing end to the meal. read more

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This restaurant is a fun spin on fresh Mexican food. Tuna, tostadas were definitely my favorite, and we totally ordered another round of these. Drinks were good, and the presentation was beautiful. Our waiter was hilarious and very attentive to us. The only thing I did not care for as much was the octopus, I found it to be pretty tough. I believe the whole kitchen is gluten-free, so this is a great spot for people that need a gluten clean experience. On a more personal note, I'm still trying to figure out how the heck they carve their limes so beautifully. read more

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First off, Colita is a 100% gluten free restaurant making it amazing for celiacs! I started off the meal with a Naked Dani which is a fun picture-perfect picture with a rubber duck and bubbles on top. For an entree we got the shrimp tacos, poached salmon, chicken tinga tostadas and the pork chilorio tacos. They were all amazing and our server was great at answering any questions we had on the menu. For dessert we got the churros and panna cotta. The churros were incredible and something I never get being gluten free. I'll be back to have more churros and to try an espresso martini next time. Colita had a small parking lot out front and I recommend making a reservation in advanced. I loved the inside design of the restaurant and will be back soon. read more

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Beautiful restaurant! Drinks are definitely unique and delicious. Food is great and bartenders are super cool. I love how clean and organized everything looks! Very nice place for a date night. - Anthony read more

Colita - New American Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Colita was a fun and refreshing experience. When you walk in there are live plants absolutely everywhere- behind the check-in desk behind the entire bar and lining the floor of the restaurant. The cocktails are to die for. My first- the Curado de Maracuya- was even served in bowl with a branded ice cube. My second was the Naked Dani #3, which was served with a salty foam on top and a small rubber duck nestled into it. We shared the masa & guacamole, and I ordered the octopus al pastor. It was both filling and fresh. Im always impressed by the Minneapolis food scene and would love to return on a future trip. read more

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Top notch food in a trendy spot. We sat at the bar near the patio so had the best service and breeze. Food here is way above par with flavortown shrimp tacos (so lightly breaded), pork ribs (sweet and spicy), and the churros (with whipped cream and Carmel) being stand outs. Definitely a place to go in south Minneapolis! read more

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Colita was amazing! The drinks and food were full of flavor and excitement! The selection was a perfect amount so not to get overwhelmed by options. I was extremely impressed with everything and will likely return again!! My favorites were the shrimps tacos and elote. The fermented drinks were an awesome addition that is very unique! So many flavors and all them uniting together! Sadly I forgot to take pictures of the wonderful food but you'll have to go to experience it! read more

Colita - New American Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Visited 12/28/23. Back at Colita and had another solid experience. Made a reservation in advance and parked on the street (wasn't an issue to find parking since there's not any snow yet). Our server was fantastic. Super knowledgeable with his recommendations and checked on us just the right amount of times. He was also working really hard at the bar as well and I was very impressed overall. Went with my mom and sister and we started off with drinks (Xochitl in Love for my sister, I got the Mamakuna, and my mom got the Paloma). The favorite amongst us three was definitely the Xochitl. Fragrant and fresh but not overly sweet, I would recommend it to anyone. The Mamakuna is Colita's take on a French 75 and this was really solid too. My mom said she likely wouldn't get the Paloma again, as it felt like more ice than drink. For dinner we split the following from the hot plates portion of the menu: tempura fried shrimp tacos, corn elote, seared scallops, tlayuda, and roasted sweet potato. This felt like enough food that by the end of the meal we were all definitely too full for desert. My sister didn't want a taco but our waiter did inform us in advance that their taco portions come with two tacos but that they can always add another on, which was super helpful. My favorites: -Scallops-5/5. I would splurge for these scallops every-time now that I've tried them. Such a good sear and the puree underneath paired so well. -Sweet Potatoes-5/5. We all loved these. Amazing cook on them and the remoulade underneath was so good. -Shrimp Tacos- 4.5/5. Solid, lovely tortilla, and good combo of flavors Take it or leave it: -Corn Elote-3.5/5. A good pick especially to share! -Tlayuda-2.5/5. So sad because this was the highlight the last time I went. Tasted much different. The crunch was good but the recipe must've been changed because it had more of a chipotle in adobo/smoky taste (likely from the mole) that wasn't as good as the refried beans and crema I had on it last time. Overall, another great experience at Colita. read more

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Colita is a must try if you like a fresh take on latin-American flavors. It is a bit pricey for the portion sizes. The Ambience; the bar was very quite decorative. I will also say the servers were very friendly. However the drinks were mid at best and unfortunately our tacos were pretty dry. For what we paid we would have liked more. read more

Let's start with the fact that this spot has a parking lot--a small one, but still better than most places in the city! This place never misses. The vibe is bright and inviting during the day, then cool and vibey at night. Service is top-notch, and everything on the menu is gluten-free and delicious. Easily some of the best tacos in the city. read more

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I live only four blocks from Colita, but I hadn't been there for a while on the cold November night when on my way home--and on the spur of the moment--I stopped to have a bite to eat. After some confusion over table availability, I was escorted to a two-top by a young man (the manager?). After checking the coat I'd doffed, he guided me past hoserie-snagging mother-in-law tongue Sansevieria planted next to our pathway. I'm 89 years old and walk with a cane--his attention was unusual and very much appreciated. Molly was my server, and she had her hands full with me. Not only am I totally deaf in one ear and half deaf in the other, Colita is noisier than a Yagul cavern full of howler monkeys. Also, I couldn't read the menu because I didn't have my reading glasses with me. Molly was not deterred. She bent down, got close to my half-good ear's hearing aid and gave me her recommendations. I ordered her top favorite, beef tartare, as well as a Sidecar, which despite being a 100-year-old classic is not in the pantheon of currently popular cocktails. The runner who delivered the ice-cold, artfully presented, soul-satisfying cocktail thought I was likely the first person to ever order a Sidecar at Colita. More should consider it! The Sidecar is the winter sister of the Margarita. It has the exact same kinds of ingredients in the same proportions, except it swaps the tequila and lime for cognac and lemon. It's perfect for Colita and its Oaxaca-inspired menu this winter. I hate to end on a sour note but . . . while Colita's bar and service staffs deserve kudos, whoever plated my beef tartare does not. Oh it was tasty all right and it had the expected Fresno zing, but it looked as though a scoopful had been plunked onto the serving plate with no further ado except for a thin circle smear of sweetened yogurt. The dish needed garnishing to brighten it up, to cut through its rich and dense flavor palate. No such luck--it was as bare as a mound of diner hash. read more