BYOB Buzz: Estrella Negra

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Their eats: When you stroll into Estrella Negra, the 3-month-old Nuevo Latino restaurant on the border of Bucktown and Logan Square, you may be greeted by an artist painting canvases in the front window. Don’t walk out—you’ve got the right place.

Not only is this pulsing spot an eclectic eatery, but it’s also a gallery, displaying artwork created by owner Otoniel Michel (pictured) and his friends and family. Even the small table tops lined along a vibrant red and blue banquette are works of art, laminated for easy cleanup.

The name Estrella Negra, which means "black star" in Spanish, is a variation of the name of Michel’s band (yes, he’s a musician too), StankStar. The band and restaurant have the same logo, a decorative skull with three red roses beneath it; a Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) motif is carried throughout the restaurant.

The menu is a mix of botanas (snacks) and affordable platillos (small plates) served with chips and salsa and a choice of side (bean dip, fries, salad or homemade chicken pozole). We like the tamales ($10), offered in pork and three cheese-spinach-artichoke versions. If you’re just here for a snack, the guacamole is a colorful choice, sprinkled with bright red pomegranate seeds ($6).

Call ahead for reservations, especially on the weekends, as the cozy space is getting more crowded by the week.

Your drinks: Your best BYOB option starts with one of Estrella’s tasty fruit smoothies: pina colada, margarita, mango or strawberry ($4 each). Then all you need is some rum to punch it up. Michel sends folks across the street to Pepe’s #2 Food & Liquor (2333 N. Western Ave. 773-278-8756), where you’ll find half pints of Bacardi behind the counter ($4.99).

Pepe’s also sells chilled six-packs of Mexican beer such as Modelo Especial ($7.99). Estrella Negra charges a $5 corkage fee per bottle or six-pack.

Emily Hiser Lobdell is a Metromix special contributor. metromix@tribune.com