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Queso, You Gotta Try This
FALL IN LOVE AT FIRST BITE WITH DESCANSO: A MODERN TAQUERIA
WRITTEN BY: MICHELLE JACO • PHOTOGRAPHED BY: NATHAN WHELAN
Upon entering this Costa Mesa restaurant, you’re greeted with echoes of booming laughter married to the cheers-ing of happy hour toasts. A look to the left and you’ll find a plush display of walled succulents, housing a luminous sign that reads “Descanso: A Modern Taqueria.” Descanso, defined as “a place to rest” in Spanish, is perfectly fitting in its name—when you’re here, you feel at ease. As Head Chef Sergio Ortega explains, “[The comfortable atmosphere] is one of those things that immediately brings you back to a certain place and time.”
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FOOD • Descanso: A Modern Taqueria is a pairing of classical downhome Mexican dishes with an edge (menu options vary, depending on plancha and main dining room seating).
Conceptualized from his hometown of Morelia, Chef Ortega continues, “The restaurant’s look was inspired from the city and textures of Central Mexico.” Alluringly tarnished murals, multi-colored walls made of red brick, limestone and brushed drywall all provide that nostalgic city ambiance. Owner Rob Arellano wanted to create an atmosphere that paid homage to Mexican tradition in the 21st century, and he did just that.
DECOR • The ambiance reflects the calm streets of Central Mexico to create a relaxed space.
Beyond the forefront of the restaurant, beautifully detached behind an ornate iron wall, is the plancha experience. Similar to teppanyaki-prepared cuisine, this option offers group seating (parties of eight to 10) at a stove table grill where your meal is artfully prepared before your very eyes, so close that you can truly appreciate the smell of spices and ingredients evolving into a deep aroma, activating your taste buds. The multi-course meal begins with a soup or salad starter, followed by your personal chef, preparing the restaurant’s coveted signature: Mexican Fried Rice with chopped peppers, scrambled eggs and a drizzle of chile morita aioli.
PRICE • Starters and appetizers start at $3, with main course options ranging from $9 to $46 for those indulging on cheat day.
CHEF-TESTED, ABUELAAPPROVED • Chef Ortega’s Sweet Corn “Pozole Verde” sopa—available on weekends only—is his grandmother’s original recipe!
VERDICT
For the main course, you have a choice of three traditional Mexican dishes: tacos, quesadillas and alambres, all of which feature an added twist. The highlyrecommended steak quesadilla comes with two open-faced quesadillas with a full-bodied taste garnered from their signature tres quesos blend, salsa verde and lots of cotija cheese. The grilled, cheese-topped layer adds a crunch to every bite, while the tender, juicy steak adds a dynamic richness to the traditional Mexican dish. With a unique concept and tantalizing dishes, Descanso is, in fact, a modern taqueria that adds literal flair to the dining experience. Salud! 118 LOCALE MAGAZINE
• Descanso truly makes one feel at home as they offer free and convenient parking, a warm ambiance and even free WiFi— oh, and of course, savory eats.
DESCANSO: A MODERN TAQUERIA 1555 Adams Ave, Ste 103 Costa Mesa, CA 92626 714.486.3798 www.descansorestaurant.com
