There's a lot of comings and goings on Studio City's Ventura Boulevard in the world of modern Mexican eateries. A couple of years ago, Jeffrey Saad opened La Ventura, which recently (and quickly) morphed into Maradentro, a Mexican seafood restaurant owned by Jesse Gomez and Jose Acevedo. Ceremony, which serves tacos and Cuban sandwiches out of a 1969 VW Kombi Bus, is also a recent addition to Ventura. And today, Cocina Condesa holds its grand opening in Studio City on that same boulevard. 

Cocina Condesa showcases the work of chef M. Elena Vega, a Cordon Bleu graduate who learned to cook from her grandmother at her family's restaurant in the Mexican seaside town of Tuxpan in the state of Nayarit. Orange County diners may remember a pop-up she did in Santa Ana called Y Tú Mamá También.

Joining Vega are Gilbert Marquez and Joe Valdovinos, who oversee the drinks program, and who are billing Cocina Condesa as a “mezcaleria.” Marquez is also the brand ambassador for Ilegal Mezcal. 

The menu features takes on well-known Mexican dishes such as tacos, burritos, ceviches and aguachiles. You can also expect a happy hour and a taco Tuesday promotion. At dinner, more substantial entrees such as corn masa crepes with zucchini flowers are available. 

Cocina Condesa opens daily at 11 a.m., and serves all day and through dinner hours. 

Cocina Condesa, 11616 Ventura Blvd., Studio City; (818) 579-4264, cocinacondesa.com.

Hungry for more food coverage? Follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook .    

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.