Longtime favorite Beso on Hollywood Boulevard closed last year, disappointing fans of Eva Longoria and celebrity chef Todd English’s restaurant. Recently VIVA Hollywood opened in the space with a new look, ambiance and modern Mexican menu from chef Raymond Alvarez. He worked with the “Hot Tamale” chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, before cooking at Pink Taco on Sunset and Toca Madera.

Try the tacos and guacamole at VIVA.
(photo by Jill Weinlein)

The bar scene on a Saturday night around 7 p.m. was building with a few locals and tourists. While not packed, we learned that most patrons arrive around 9 p.m. for the nightly entertainment. During the week there is a live band or a Flamenco dance show, with dancers telling stories through movements, hand clapping, vocalization and finger snapping. On weekends the house band plays or a DJ spins Latin favorites, enticing guests to join others on the dance floor until midnight.

The lighting is a tad brighter than Beso and the ice blue velvet curtains add a “La La Land” club-like ambiance. Sitting at a small circular table for two, we looked out to the lounge with low black leather couches and black velvet barrel chairs. Glass coffee tables are set for five guests to indulge in one or more of the Hollywood named cocktails by beverage director Erik Weatherford. Some of his creations include: Pretty People made with Grey Goose L’Orange, and Walk With Stars made with champagne and strawberry-infused St. Germain.

I started with their “La La Land” champagne cocktail made with Belvedere citrus, lemon, Giffard Pamplemousse and aged whiskey bitters. My husband ordered the VIVA margarita mixed with premium Corralejo Silver tequila, cucumber, agave, fresh lime and mint.

Brightly colored piñatas – available for purchase – are displayed throughout the lounge. The staff at Viva will fill it with candy, lottery tickets and other items. This is a fun area for your next party celebration.

We started with the VIVA guacamole served with a bowl of warm plantain chips that were sprinkled with sea salt. The guacamole is made with local avocados, chopped jalapeño, cilantro, red onion and toasted sunflower seeds. I thought the crunchy plantains were a nice touch, instead of corn tortilla chips.

We ordered two small plates:  chicken taquitos layered with shredded lettuce, avocado purée, sour cream and a sprinkling of cotija cheese and a plate of three ceviche tostadas with small, crispy shells topped with pieces of sea bass, chopped tomato, jalapeño, cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice. Both were delicious.

From the taqueria menu, I ordered the vegetarian tofu and black bean wrapped in housemade corn tortillas with shredded lettuce, cotija cheese and roasted tomato salsa. There was a sprinkle of chile powder on top to give this non-meat option a bit of heat.

The ambiance at VIVA Hollywood is chic yet comfortable. After 9 p.m. is when the party gets started.
(photo by Jill Weinlein)

For our main course we ordered seared sea bass on an avocado purée with marinated pear and tomato salsa on top. Other house specials include a chile relleno made with ground turkey, potato, caramelized onions and queso fresco. The ajo shrimp dish has four large prawns glazed in butter with cracked chile, garlic and a sprinkling of cilantro.

Some of the most popular dishes include a chipotle rub skirt steak with smoked chimichurri and fire-grilled whole Mexican snapper with a chipotle cream  served with a basket of flour tortillas. Be sure to order the Mexican street corn – a flavorful jolt with cotija cheese and chile powder.

We finished with a small, dense and rich chocolatey flourless cake was topped with housemade vanilla ice cream. Other ice cream flavors include Mexican spiced chocolate and salted caramel.

VIVA Hollywood is a welcome addition to the ever-changing Hollywood Boulevard. Give it a try before seeing a show at the Pantages or next time you are looking for a fun and lively place to meet friends or a loved one in a party-like atmosphere. Closed on Mondays. Dinner service begins at 6 p.m. $$ 6350 Hollywood Blvd. (323)467-1350.