IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers NEW ON THE BLOCK- Limon Latin Grille, which opened a month ago at the Simi Valley Town Center, offers customers a relaxed atmosphere in which to enjoy their meals. A full bar inside serves visitors who choose to dine outside on warm California nights. Finding the authentic tastes of Peru, Argentina and Spain may be a lot easier than you think. With the opening of Limon Latin Grill at the Simi Valley Town Center, guests can enjoy the atmosphere and food of other worlds.

The atmosphere of the restaurant is clearly made to exude comfort. Plush leather seats and private booths with white curtains line the walls, and a bartender stirs up drinks at a fully stocked bar.

Music plays in the background as the waiter, all in black, shows you to your table.

The restaurant serves traditional dishes from many Latin countries and has a live Latin jazz band on Thursday nights. A club theme is planned for Friday and Saturday nights. The family restaurant by day pulls its tables to the side and turns upscale adult nightclub after the sun sets.

Or at least that's the plan, said James Garcia, the restaurant's executive chef. The theme is "all about Latin America with a Californian twist." The twist is that "all the spices are our own little secret," he said, resulting in a taste that's authentic but not overwhelming.

"This restaurant has a passion and love for what we do that other places don't have," Garcia said. "It's a unique restaurant; you can see it in the decor, the chandelier and the music."

Since it opened in September last year, Limon Latin Grill has been gaining in popularity, said manager Victor Preciado.

He's waiting to receive word from the police department on the restaurant's proposed clubthemed weekends, but he's confident he'll get the go-ahead, Preciado said. The restaurant offers high-end food at affordable prices.

Dishes- everything from French fries and hot dogs for the kids to skirt steak and Brazilianstyle shrimp- range in price from $5 to $30, he said.

A restaurant favorite is the Ceviche de Tuna from Peru that consists of fresh Ahi Tuna on a bed of marinated cucumbers, green onions, fresh ginger sauce and garlic with lime juice.

Order from a variety of entrees, such as a Churrasco, Argentinean-style steak with truffle oil over whipped garlic mashed potatoes, and finish up with a Banana Acaramalado, caramelized bananas and ice cream, for dessert.

Guests can choose to sit outside on the patio, where U-shaped seating around tables can accommodate larger groups. The interior has an eclectic, modern feel: metal textures mix with soft, flowing curtains and goldplated chandeliers, and portraits available for purchase adorn the walls.