Carne Asada is one of El Barrio's signature Mexican dishes.（Photo provided to China Daily）
El Barrio has also injected fresh blood into the Mexican-food scene in Beijing because of its decor, contemporary Mexican and Latin soundtracks, and extensive menu that offers dishes from across Mexico.
El Barrio's design is inspired by classic Mexican colors and visual elements from across Latin America.
The two-story space is separated into a downstairs restaurant with a huge outdoor seating area as well as a rooftop terrace.
The indoor area has 70 seats and the outdoor area has 50 seats.
Custom-made rattan furniture and cane chandeliers modeled after traditional Mexican wide-brimmed hats provide natural textures. And the eye is also drawn to the huge triple-arch bar.
The space is decorated with pink neon lights, which creates a bright, festive atmosphere.
According to Connolly, the expansive outdoor seating area is one of El Barrio's highlights－the outdoor terrace was designed to mimic a street in the colorful town of Oaxaca in southern Mexico, which is well-known for its rich cultural heritage and unique architecture.
Another highlight of El Barrio's decor is a series of artworks by renowned Mexican artist Ernesto Muniz. And his eye-catching collages took a huge amount of work.
