Pretty recently, Irvine was blessed with ANOTHER great addition… Puesto! After two successful San Diego locations, it was time to expand up north, and I am glad they did! Puesto “is a celebration of fundamental Mexican flavors and an homage to the cosmopolitan palate of Mexico City.” The menu features MUCH more than just chips and tacos, however. The best part about Puesto? It is chef-driven, and the Irvine location has a BEAUTIFUL open test kitchen in the back. 3 booths- 6 seats each… a PERFECT space to accommodate 18 lucky diners in a 5-course Chef’s test dinner. I was lucky enough to attend the June 22nd dinner- and Chef Katy’s menu did not disappoint….

*1st Course :

Smoked Ginger Mezcal Aguachile – “Smokey Striped Bass in a Chamomile, Grapefruit, and Mezcal Broth, pickled onions, avocado, cilantro salt, mint oil, micro mizuna”
This was thinly sliced fish in a spicy lime broth- emphasis on the word spicy! I am VERY tolerant to spice, but this definitely had a kick to it!

 

*SPECIAL SURPRISE:

“Sikil Pak” – One of the BEST things I have ever discovered- THANK YOU CHEF KATY!

This is basically a Yucatan hummus- made with PEPITA SEEDS instead of chickpeas… I am actually going to try to recreate it myself, so stay tuned!

*2nd Course:

Sopes Ahogada – “Blue Corn Masa Sope, tender braised carnitas, chile de arbol salsa, cilantro”

This was very interesting. A little blue corn, crunchy, biscuit-like cake topped with carnitas. One bite if you have a big mouth!

*3rd Course:

Trio of Tacos: 

• “Chipotle- Orange Rubbed Salmon a la plancha, Avocado, Salsa Roja”
• “Albondigas  – Pork and beef meatballs braised in a chipotle tomato sauce, tomatillo salsa, habanero pickled white onions” : My favorite out of the trio. So unique to have a “meatball” taco!
• “Braised Pork Cheek – Guajillo braised pork cheek and shoulder, garlic salsa negra, roasted poblano Crema, radish and cilantro”
• The best part of all these tacos? The HOUSE MADE blue corn tortillas!

 

 

*4th Course:

“Mole Poblano with Grilled Quail-  Mole poblano with 26 ingredients, grilled quail, house made blue corn tortillas “

FINALLY a mole made the way I like it…..with chocolate, corn, and nuts. This was definitely spicy, but so good. Although it was a bit hard to cut and eat, I loved how each person got their own baby quail swimming in the incredible mole sauce.

 

*5th Course: 

“Mangonada Cheesecake -chamoy anglaise, mango gelato, tajin pop rocks”

Puesto has their own pastry chef- Jessica Scott- who is incredible. I would never think that a Mexican-inspired restaurant would have such overall incredible desserts. The mango cheesecake was the perfect, light, sweet, fruity end to the meal.

 

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It was a fun, vibrant, food-filled evening at Puesto. Their next test kitchen dinner is VEGETARIAN-themed on July 27! I will definitely attend!

In the meantime, stop by on TACO TUESDAY for one of the best deals I have heard of… $2.50 tacos all day!! This is a GREAT price for Puesto’s tacos. During Monday-Friday 3-6pm happy hour, tacos are $3.50/each and Puesto’s Perfect Margarita’s are $6. Another great deal, because their margaritas are AWESOME!

 

See you on Taco Tuesday!