Review: La Nacional
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First impression?
With bare lightbulbs and a brick ceiling, this low-fi mezcal bar balances coziness with charisma.
Cool. So who’s there?
Twenty- and thirty-something catching up with friends. It's a quiet alternative to nearby bars that throb with techno music.
How are the drinks?
The focus is on mezcal, but there are other agave distillates like bacanora and sotol from other states in Mexico. Drinks are served with the usual sliced oranges and salt.
Worth ordering something to eat, too?
There's a likable menu of bar snacks and well-executed smaller plates like sopes, corn disks filled with beans and chorizo, or quesadillas with mushrooms and fiery salsa.
Did the staff do you right?
They're easy-going and will gladly guide you through the mezcal menu.
Wrap it up: what are we coming here for?
La Nacional is easy, comfortable, centrally located—it just...works. There are no pretenses here.