Two exciting new restaurants, right next door to each other, are now open at Broadway & Larimer: Los Chingones and Sugarmill.

Los Chingones is the latest venture from Chef Troy Guard. The menu is filled with inventive Mexican dishes, including 11 different types of tacos, Pig Ear Nachos, Octopus, Chicken Leg Enchiladas, and more.

As a vegetarian I am always eager to take a look at a new menu, and on Tuesday I got the chance to do so at their pre-opening party. I am pleased to say that Los Chingones offers plenty of meatless fare, and it’s anything but boring. I absolutely loved the Butternut Squash Tacos as well as the Garden Guac. The pumpkin seeds added such a unique flavor to both dishes. Other vegetarian options include Cojita Cheese Tacos, salads, two kinds of fundido, a cheese quesadilla, grilled jalapenos, and chips & salsa (of which they have 5 kinds). And carnivores will appreciate the 9 different meat-based tacos.

They have a variety of cocktails such as margaritas (of course) and the T & T, a unique blend of tequila, lime, Tang, and orange soda, plus Colorado craft beers on tap from Odell and Great Divide (and others in bottles/cans). Los Chingones has a bar on the main level as well as one upstairs, and a rooftop deck that will be wonderful once it warms up enough to enjoy it. It is set to open on St. Patrick’s Day 2014.

Next to Los Chingones is Sugarmill, a bakery, lounge and dessert bar. And Pastry Chef Noah French can whip up some ridiculously tasty desserts. I thought the Chocolate Jasmine Mousse was delicious–my favorite for sure. Unfortunately I was so full after all that Mexican food that I didn’t get to taste as many as I would have liked. But that’s okay, because I will be back! In addition to a plethora of sweets they also have a menu of savory bites: a Roasted Mushroom Toast, Beef Wellington, and Quiche of the Day, to name a few.

Sugarmill has several types of drinks on offer too, from wine and champagne to beer, including bottled selections from Colorado’s Avery, Crazy Mountain and Ft. Collins Brewery.

I thoroughly enjoyed everything about Los Chingones and Sugarmill. I am also quite excited that they are very close to me, which means I have two great new places to add to my list of regular spots. I definitely recommend checking out both of these places, if you like good food, beer, cocktails, and a fun atmosphere.