First Visit:* La Grange Mexican & Bar

In a world of Tex-Mex, coastal Mexican fare is few and far between. Of course, there’s Caracol, which dishes out coastal Mexican cuisine with upscale flair. Now there’s La Grange Mexican & Bar, offering coastal Mexican favorites and a relaxed vibe. Owned by developer Harres Exezidis and Rob and Sara Cromie (Cottonwood, Liberty Station, The Raven Grill and Picnic), La Grange sits at 2517 Ralph Street, which housed the popular Montrose bar EJ’s until 2014; it was also a horse hospital in the 1930s. The remodeled structure, designed by Julie Watkins Baker, has high ceilings, a two-story interior patio and three distinct bars — one inside, one outside and another on the terrace.

Although the menu is small, it’s packed with flavor and includes dishes such as ceviche, campechana, salmon aguachile, whole fried tilapia, fajitas and stacked enchiladas. My personal favorites are the crispy pork queso and the barbecued oysters. Not to be overshadowed by the food, the cocktail program (created by Linda Salinas of Liberty Station) incorporates freshly squeezed juices and a multitude of tequilas and mezcals. Drinks include the Carlos Danger, a mix of fresh-squeezed pineapple juice and housemade jalapeño-infused tequila; the Real Char-treuth, a blend of mezcal, green chartreuse, lime and agave; and my go-to drink, the watermelon fresca, which can be ordered frozen or on the rocks.