Anejo Cantina & Grill in Sherman Oaks THE BEST....

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Michael Hepworth

ANEJO CANTINA AND GRILL IN SHERMAN OAKS IS IT THE BEST IN THE VALLEY?

Sherman Oaks,CA(Perfect Meal Today)10/26/15/–This is a huge new place in Sherman Oaks of over 11,000 square foot that has been open since August with a comprehensive menu featuring food from every region in Mexico. They also have an outdoor patio area with fire pits and a separate banqueting area fully soundproofed.

This is a major operation in a spot that was formerly an Italian restaurant, and I also have to tell you that the portions here are huge. However getting information about the chef or even meeting him was a little difficult, but I do know that he is from Honduras, and his sous chef is from Mexico City I believe.

Service is warm and friendly and the claim that this restaurant is serving the most authentic Mexican food in the valley is something that may or may not be true, but I would certainly like to know. The popularity of this kind of food continues unabated, and at Anejo start out with the Table Side Guacamole ($8.99) with freshly squeezed lime juice. Then follow up with the superb Bacon Wrapped Shrimp ($11.99) or the Shrimp Ceviche ($9.99) where the shrimp are marinated with the lime juice of course along with tomatoes, onion, jalapeno peppers, guacamole, cilantro and tapatia sauce. However the Chicken Tortilla soup with thin slices of chicken was a little to heavy on the salt for my liking but certainly tasty enough to set you up for the rest of the meal.

The menu tends to be on the extensive side, so maybe go for the Anejo Combination ($19.99- $21.99) which includes either two or three of a main item of all the Mexican favorites like Taco’s, tamales, enchilada’s, taquito’s etc plus a choice of soup or salad and of course the Mexican rice and Refried Beans. Sweet Corn, Beef or Chicken Tamales can be ordered separately here, and I did get to try as well the Sizzling Shrimp Fajita ($17.99) with a host of grilled vegetables, and the shrimp were of a decent size. Would sure love to be the shrimp supplier at this restaurant.

Then there are such feasts as the Anejo Style Carne Asada ($18.99) with a 10oz Mexican Style Grilled Skirt Steak or jus add shrimp for $1 more. For those of you who prefer Pork then go for the Chile Colorado ($16.99) with a very rich Colorado Sauce or the Chile Verde ($16.99), tender pork served with green tomatlllo sauce.

Cocktails here are pretty lovely as you would imagine, especially the Flaming Cucumber Margarita which uses the house tequila, Patron. Other specialty cocktails include the Pineapple Jalapeno Martini with Jalapeno infused vodka or the Ultimate Skinny Rita with Jalapeno infused tequila, triple sec, lemon and lime juice, soda and a salted rim.