When Roger Diaz puts together a meal in his kitchen at Vivo Restaurant, he’s not just tossing fresh ingredients into handmade tortillas. He draws on three generations of family cooking, taught to him by his mother and grandmother before he could even reach the stovetop. These family recipes include tricks to puff up a tortilla by lightly frying it, as well as the ingredients to make the tortilla itself from scratch.

Roger’s colorful dining room and patio celebrate his heritage as well. Huge, colorful canvases bedeck the interiors, bright lanterns hang from the ceiling, and a portrait of Frida Kahlo surreptitiously tries to steal sips of frosty margaritas. Al fresco, the constant burble of fountains chatters beneath diners' conversations while ample potted plants and flowers create a fresh bouquet of scents to complement meals.