EN LAVIDA — Restaurant in Tokyo

I recently celebrated my 58th birthday at this incredible Mexican gem in Jiyugaoka, and let me tell you, it's easily one of the best Mexican restaurants I've visited in the entire Tokyo area!

We opted for the set menu, and it was a culinary adventure. From the moment the nachos arrived with their SIX glorious sauces (yes, six! I nearly needed a map to navigate them all), I knew we were in for a treat. The quesadillas were perfectly cheesy, the fajitas sizzling with flavor, and the chicken on rice salad was a refreshing surprise. But the real showstopper? The roasted rosemary chicken – absolutely divine! And just when I thought I couldn't eat another bite, out came the crème brûlée for dessert, a perfect sweet ending. Every single dish was beyond incredible.

The set menu also included a fantastic variety of drinks, which kept the good times flowing. The staff were super nice and incredibly attentive, making the whole evening feel special.

What really struck me was how busy it was for a weekday evening – a true testament to how beloved this place is. And in a delightful twist, the clientele seemed to be mostly groups of young office ladies, which was a fun surprise!

The decor perfectly captures that "hole-in-the-wall" Mexican street restaurant vibe without feeling at all fake or contrived. It's got an authentic charm that makes you feel right at home. The menu looked fantastic, and I'm already dreaming of my next visit to dive into their à la carte options.

Overall, a resounding 5-star experience! I was so busy enjoying the food, the company, and the birthday festivities that my phone barely left my pocket. Consider that my highest compliment – the food was too good to interrupt for photos! Can't wait to go...

Originally I thought this place was pretty good. The first time I came by myself and they squeezed me in the corner. The sangria was yummy and the avocado.

I came 2 to 3 weeks later with a friend and we sat at the bar. We were charged a table fee which I don't recall being charged the first time I came. I may have missed it but my friend was not happy. I did not see it listed anywhere that there is a 500 yen charge for sitting at the bar. We will most likely not return after this as the food was average. MY friend only had like 2 little shrimps and cheese in her quesadilla. My margaritas was so tiny it was only like half a glass never have I had such a...

I live in Chicago surrounded by various authentic Mexican places as well as various new wave places. I eat at both kinds often, and can say this place is very authentic. The music playing in the background is Hispanic, the decorations, wall livery, everything down to the seating, tables, and dish-ware feels like I’m in a Mexican restaurant back home. On top of that, the drinks are authentic and taste incredible, and the food is perfect. Feels like I took a step out of Japan and into Mexico. I respect the attention to each detail the owner put into the place, and the authenticity of the food. A must visit if you are in Jyuugaoka and...