In October Esquire Magazine released its annual list of "Best New Restaurants" and Los Angeles' Rivera Restaurant made the cut. John Seldar’s new downtown restaurant “celebrates the story and spirit of Latin culture around the world, from the past to the present day and on into the future.” This celebration is concentrated in the highly complex food components and drink pairings that has made this restaurant widely heralded by Esquire magazine, Gourmet Magazine and Bon Appétit, to name a few.

Seldar takes Latin cuisine and fuses it with french techniques, proving that Latin food can be just as gourmet as European cuisines. Moreover, the food is as beautiful as it is delicious: each dish is served on a plate with images or words stenciled in spices (see image). And the "Tortilla Flores" are hand-made tortillas with flowers and herbs pressed into them. The menu features flavorful and spicy renditions of a pork chop mole, sea trout covered in a yellow gazpacho sauce with saffron rice and "Duck Frijolada" which is a dish comprised of duck, goat cheese, blue-corn tortillas, black bean puree and chile rioja sauce. You can’t really go wrong with any plate here- all of the selections are fresh and of high quality, and taste as expensive as Rivera’s overall experience feels.The atmosphere is decidedly high-end and specialized to mirror the heat of the dishes. The variety of textures and colors make the restaurant itself an experience unique and innovative.

Rivera is perhaps best known for it's innovative and unique cocktails. Mixologist Julian Cox stirs up a slew of tequila cocktails with latin-inspired ingredients ranging from pomegranate, chili peppers, agave and lime. The Blood Sugar Sex Magic (rye whiskey, red pepper, agave nectar and basil) is just one example of how a cocktail can be as innovative as cuisine, and just as delicious to enjoy. The drinks are as spicy and varied as the food, so if you’re coming to enjoy dinner or some spirits, Rivera offers variety and originality within both.

GetWize: Stop by Rivera Thursday through Saturday from 10:30 til midnight and try out their late night menu so you can sample a selection of finger foods with your cocktail for a fraction of the price. The restaurant is located near the Staples Center at 1050 S. Flower St. #102.