Casa Sanchez Mexican Restaurant-Elegant Cuisine and Fabulous Entertainment

By Pete Allman

Los Angeles probably has more Mexican restaurants than any city in the United States. However, Casa Sanchez is certainly the Gem if you will, of all the restaurants I’ve written about that specializes in authentic Mexican cuisine.

The success story of Casa Sanchez begins with its visionary Mr. Raul. Sanchez, who planned for years to provide a supper club with top Mariachi entertainment and a diverse selection of South of the Border cuisine. He did. just that, and used his family recipes which are handed down by generations. This establishment is a family operation, which is very passionate about their cuisine and entertainment.

Casa Sanchez has an elegant entrance, with wrought iron ornaments, beautiful reminant rugs and elegant appointed chairs and tables. The main dining room is complemented with original paintings throughout the dining area, some of which are well noted Mexican historical figures.

My guests for this evening were Tom Hallick, who formerly starred on The Young and Restless as Brad Garret and his wife Yin Jiang, a concert violinist with Andrea Bocelli.

Roberto Chavez, the general manager, a very congenial fellow, greeted us with various appetizers to begin our dining adventure. Scallop and shrimp Ceviche was the first to be served. It serves its purpose in wetting the palate with a citrus fruit base. An excellent choice.

The Sanchez Platter, our second appetizer, consisted of bacon wrapped shrimp, brochetas, calamari, breaded shrimp, quesadillas and chicken taquitos. There is also a vegetarian appetizer, the Quesadilla Vegetariana. All three were exceptional, prepared with roasted green bell pepper, corn, tomatoes, green onions and cilantro served in a tomato sauce. Ah, that was the start of a beautiful evening.

The main entrees served were the Chamorro de Puerco, which is prepared with a baked pork shank served in a bed of white rice. An excellent selection. However the signature dish everyone loves is the  Salmon al Tequila, prepared with grilled salmon with tequila, lime and sautéed shrimp, served with rice and vegetables. This dish has the salmon wrapped in a corn husk to retain the flavor.

Yin Jiang enjoyed the Sole Fish Fillet. The sole fish is stuffed with mushrooms, pico de gallo and cotija cheese in a bed of cilantro, habanero pesto sauce and  garnished with shrimp, complemented with rice and vegetables. Tom Hallick ordered the Rib Eye Steak Bone, which is prepared with a port wine and served with steamed vegetables and spicy chipotle mashed potatoes.

During our dining journey, their where three shows featuring Voces de Mexico. The quality of music here was superb, not to mention their lead singer, Melinda Salcido, who received a Grammy in January when she was performing with The Mariachi Divas.

This was a most enjoyable evening and as Tom Hallick states, "this is the best time I've had in years."  

The Voces de Mexico Mariachi are some of the best musicians I've heard.  The show in itself is production, featuring dancers and a full violin section, with a trumpet section and Spanish guitars.

Returning to our dining engagement, our farewell to the evening consisted with an after-dinner drink and some wonderful deserts. The Tres Leche cake, a very popular desert of Mexico is prepared with egg yokes, baking powder, evaporated milk, condensed milk, vaniila and sugar with maraschino cherries. The Flan is prepared with sugar, caramel, eggs, and some milk. Both these deserts are just right and not so rich like those heavy chocolate cakes. I must say however the Glazed churros were also very good.

During the evening of entertainment, I had the pleasure of introducing Voces de Mexico Mariachi, then having the audience show their appreciation for Melinda Salcido's superb performance of "At Last." As an added attraction, I introduced Tom Hallick, singing "My Way." It was a pleasant way to end our main dining experience.

Casa Sanchez is located on 4500 Centinela Avenue. Hours of operation are from 5-10 Monday-Wednesday, 5-midnight on Friday and Saturday and 4-11pm on Sunday. For anniversaries, or any particular occasion call 310-397-9999.

Celebrity Scene News awards 5 stars to Casa Sanchez for their authentic Mexican cuisine and a wonderful evening of entertainment. Tell them Pete Allman referred you.