Universal CityWalk Hollywood Adds Two New Restaurants

Brianna
5 Min Read
Image Courtesy Universal CityWalk Hollywood.

Universal CityWalk’s newest restaurants, Antojitos Cocina Mexicana and VIVO Italian Kitchen, are inviting guests to enjoy a variety of culinary concepts! The popular destination is expanding its dining options with new dishes for the discerning palates of Angelenos and out-of-town visitors alike.

The arrival of Antojitos Cocina Mexicana and VIVO Italian Kitchen mark the ongoing celebration of CityWalk, which has hosted a variety of memorable experiences for 25 years. With the introduction of new restaurants, shopping experiences, and the state-of-the-art multi-million dollar renovation of the Universal Cinema, now is the perfect time to visit.

Image Courtesy Universal CityWalk Hollywood.

With eye-catching traditional Mexican décor in bold shades of oranges, greens, and pinks, Antojitos Cocina Mexicana sits in the very heart of CityWalk and brings an aesthetic vibrancy to the destination.

Under Executive Chef Gian Caterina, who hails from Brazil, Antojitos Cocina Mexicana serves the freshest ingredients — diced, marinated and grilled — to perfection.

Antojitos boasts a variety of seating options, including open space seating, private dining rooms, and an outdoor patio where guests can enjoy live musical performances from local Latin artists and mariachi bands. The large centerpiece bar serves as a trademark for the restaurant and features over 150 tequilas from around the world, a variety of sampling flights, a selection of handcrafted cocktails and margaritas and cold beers on tap.

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The menu includes such items as Guacamole Trio and Chips, including signature guacamole, pomegranate guacamole with queso fresco and pepita guacamole with jalapeños and lime salt; Carnitas Nachos (crispy pork carnitas); Queso Fundido (melted Oaxaca, Chihuahua and cotija cheeses); Chicharrones de Pollo (crispy chicken bites, chili lime salt); Elote (street corn) and Sopa de Tortilla, to name a few.

If guests just can’t decide, they can opt for a sampling of enchiladas that includes Molé (braised chicken), Rojas (braised beef) and Verdes (three blended Mexican cheese) flavors, or choose any of these as a standalone entrée.

Desserts are must at Antojitos, including a Chocolate Hazelnut Cream Bar, a trio of Coconut, Pear and Mango Sorbet, traditional Flan and Churros.

Antojitos also caters to dietary restrictions, offering vegetarian options.

Image Courtesy Universal CityWalk Hollywood.

If guests are craving Italian, they can now head for VIVO Italian Kitchen which features an open expo kitchen and prides itself in serving heirloom family recipes.

VIVO has both indoor and al fresco dining and serves an array of items on their lunch and dinner menus. Warm homemade Italian bread is served to each table as diners check out the menu. Their signature dishes were created under the stewardship of Executive Chef Cyndi Tran, and include items such as Tuscan kale and white bean soup, creamy garlic mushroom sauté, mussels marina, house-made meatballs, a variety of Paninis, tempting hand-tossed, hearth baked pizzas and a selection of innovative twists on classic pasta favorites.

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Decant dessert options include treats like the Chocolate Zucotto Vasi, Ricotta Cheesecake, Tiramisu, and homemade Gelato, accompanied by signature rosemary infused butter cookies. VIVO guests also enjoy a full bar with a variety of Italian-inspired cocktails created by an expert mixologist or opt to select from the varied wine selection to complement meals.

The arrival of Antojitos Cocina Mexicana and VIVO Italian Kitchen mark the ongoing celebration of CityWalk, which has boosted the city’s rhythm with a variety of memorable experiences for 25 years. With the introduction of new restaurants, including popular eateries Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville and Voodoo Doughnut, shopping experiences and the state-of-the-art multi-million dollar renovation of the Universal Cinema, the spotlight continues to shines brightly on Universal CityWalk as one of L.A.’s most influential lifestyle centers.

Antojitos Cocina Mexicana, VIVO Italian Kitchen and Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville all accept reservations, and cover a percentage of valet parking at CityWalk. For more information on these two new additions, check out CityWalk online.

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By Brianna
Brianna works full time in the publishing industry, passionately building books to bring to the masses. Her first fandom was Harry Potter, which she joined at age 11. Her love for books took her abroad to earn her Masters Degree at University College London, after which she lived in New York City, and now resides in Austin. She loves all things fandom including Supernatural, Doctor Who, and more. Ever the introvert, she can usually be found reading, playing with her dog, listening to music and practicing yoga. Brianna joined the Nerds and Beyond staff in 2018 where she unites her love for all things "nerd" with her passion for writing. Find her on Twitter here: @bookbag09
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