We want to share a secret; you can find the bold foods and modern flavors of Mexico and Latin America served in a hip, urban restaurant without venturing too far from the city. At both Border Grill in Santa Monica, named “One of the Best Restaurants in America” by Gourmet, and downtown Cuidad, Food Network’s “Too Hot Tamales” Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger have created a local standard for gourmet fare. The fantastic efforts of these ladies mean that we have a new fave restaurant. Read on as one of the  Chef/Owners, Mary Sue Milliken steps out of the kitchen to talk with us!

People may be surprised to know…
As a pretty hard core meat eating chef, I decided to try and eat at least 80% plant-based foods in 2009. I loved it so much that we added a special “Good for the Planet, Good for You” symbol to the menus in all our restaurants indicating which menu items are 80% plant-based and we even created some new dishes with only a hint of meat to help diners who might be interested.

What or who inspired you to start your business?
I was a food loving teen who bumped into a brilliant pastry chef, Greg Duda, a friend of my older sister. He cooked dinner for us and I was hooked. Greg helped me get into a Washburne Chef School on the south side of Chicago at age 17. After graduating and working at the finest French restaurant I could find, I met Susan Feniger and we dreamed of owning our own place someday. A few years later, Susan spotted an opportunity on Melrose in LA and invited me to join her in creating City Café. That was 1981 and the first Border Grill followed in 1985.

Where do you go for the best street food in Los Angeles?
I used to go to the Wat Thai Temple on weekends for terrific Thai food, but sadly, they don’t serve food currently. Grand Central Market in downtown is great for tongue gorditas or cheese and lorocco pupusas. I also love the special combination platter of Vietnamese grilled pork things at Nem Nuong Kanh Hoa in Alhambra. Korean food in LA is incredible – Kobawoo is a favorite or mine. And of course going to my business partner, Susan Feniger’s restaurant Street is the best of all worlds!

How do you spend your time when you’re not in the kitchen?
I play soccer up to 4 times a week on an over 40′s women’s team and I love it!

What makes a great meal?
Great friends! Then add an eye opening cocktail (like Ciudad’s Cucumber and Elderflower Margarita made with triple distilled silver tequila), genuinely welcoming and entertaining atmosphere and some mouth-watering food, and the meal is unforgettable.

What is your indulgence?
I can never resist ice cream.

What has been your most memorable meal?
A few months after Ciudad opened in 1990 my husband (Ciudad’s architect, Josh Schweitzer) and I had lunch in our bar with our friend and accountant (who also happened to be an “internet ordained” minister). He married us and then we walked to MOCA, stepped inside the spectacular Richard Serra double ellipse sculpture, had a private moment to say some vows, and viola! we were married. I think we shared the chopped salad with Cuban fried chicken, which is still one of my favorites on the lunch menu.

What do you CRAVE in business?
Collaboration…..I feel incredibly lucky to work with so many talented people at Ciudad. When the sum of our ideas is greater than any of our individual efforts; those Ah Ha! moments are addictive.