Located in Orange County, the Taco María Restaurant offers a renowned culinary experience with innovative California-Mexican dishes. But there is so much more to know about Taco Maria. Below are 5 facts that will inspire you to make your dining reservation today! And then you will experience why Taco María is being called one of the best restaurants by the Orange County Register and the OC Weekly!
🌟 Michelin Star and Other Awards
Do not be fooled by the unassuming atmosphere – this is a highly acclaimed restaurant that clearly deserves all the accolades it has received. Not only is Chef Carlos Salgado a three-time James Beard Award semi-finalist, but he was also awarded the ultimate culinary recognition with a Michelin Star in June 2019!
List of awards:
- Michelin Star 2019 – Michelin Guide California
- Restaurant of the Year 2018 – Los Angeles Times
- Top 5 on Jonathan Gold’s 101 Best Restaurants List 2017, 2016, 2015 – Los Angeles Times
- Semi-Finalist, Best Chef: West 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 – James Beard Foundation
- Best Restaurant 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 – OC Weekly
- Best Restaurant 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 – OC Register
- Best New Chef 2015 – Food & Wine Magazine
- Best Mexican Restaurant 2015 – OC Weekly
- Best New Restaurants 2013 – OC Register
Pic Credit: Taco María Restaurant
Interior and Exterior Design:
Sleek simplicity aptly describes Taco María’s interior and exterior design. The interior is small yet cozy and inviting. The open-concept kitchen design, with a welcoming counter, invites you to sit and partake of the magic.
I particularly enjoyed dining on the outdoor patio because of Orange County’s beautiful weather.
🌟 Cuisine
I had the opportunity to enjoy their prix fixe brunch menu. The menu offers a number of choices which allows you to choose three. However, if you are dining with someone who enjoys sharing (in my case, my sister-in-law accompanied me), you are able to expand your options. We each choose three – making a total of six different dishes to try! What a fantastic treat this was!
I must warn you, come ready to eat. Each dish was hard to resist – we ended up devouring each plate we tried! I usually can enjoy a small bite to savor and appreciate the Chef’s skills, but here, I could not stop myself from eating it all. Oh well, I will just need to work-out more! Lol!
Grilled Bread, Refried Beans, Queso Fresco, Salsa Tatemada, Huitlacoche Butter
The Molletes dish was a complete surprise to me. Although it did look tasty when it arrived at our table, I wasn’t prepared for just how delicious it was. However, I will tell you that this picture does not do it justice! This dish will make your taste buds dance with joy!
Black Republican Cherry Jam, Yogurt Mousse, Almond-Amaranth Granola, Basil
After the first taste of the Yogurt & Fruit dish, I decided that it could be a dessert! The creaminess of the yogurt and the Chef’s skill in combining the jam, granola, and the unique addition of basil, made this dish very decadent. Oh, so good!
Anson Mills Oatmeal, Blueberry, Meyer Lemon, Vanilla Butter
This is not your mother’s oatmeal! It is a fantastic and creative new take on a traditional dish that will undoubtedly have you exclaiming “More please!”
Whipped Butter, Mulberries, Maple Thyme Syrup
The pancakes, like the oatmeal, are intended to amaze you with the unique complex flavors in such a simple dish. For pancake enthusiasts, you will be thrilled to find how delicate and crepe-like these are! Then add the syrup and mulberries, and you have a dish that cannot be resisted!
Crispy Tortilla, Chile Cascabel, Queso Cotija, Fried Egg,
(Chicken, Steak, or Mushroom Chorizo)
Believe it or not, I am not a big fan of Chilaquiles. I only tried this because my sister-in-law ordered it and insisted. I can honestly say that this preparation had me rethinking my view of Chilaquiles! And make sure you get the combination of all the ingredients on your fork. Each bite bursts with flavors and turns even a doubter like me into a fan!
Poached Egg, Brioche, Sinaloa Blue Shrimp, Snap Peas, Shellfish, Hollandaise, Dill, Chives
Last, but certainly not least was our final dish of the meal – Huevos Pescador. I love shrimp, so I was really looking forward to this dish. Though all the dishes were spectacular (and I genuinely mean this), this one was the star! When ordering your three choices, this is a must! I am quite confident that you will agree after your first bite.
🌟 A Little History:
Before creating Taco María, Chef Salgado spent a decade working in many of the finest restaurants in the Bay Area, including Winterland by Vernon Morales, Coi by Daniel Patterson, and Commis by James Syhabout.
When Chef Carlos Salgado opened Taco María in 2013, he made a decision to honor his family’s culture and their hard work by making Mexican-inspired food with a reverence for its provenance. Using the best ingredients available and applying the techniques and values he learned in Michelin-starred restaurants, Salgado works to create a syncretic Alta California cuisine that represents Mexican food by putting real corn at the foundation.
At the heart of the restaurant is a Mexican saying: “Sin maíz, no hay país.” “Without corn, there is no country.” Recognizing the importance of corn to reinterpreting or evoking Mexican cuisine, Salgado nixtamalizes and processes all of Taco María’s masa products in house from heirloom varieties of corn grown by small family farms in Mexico.
– From Taco Maria
🌟 Prix Fixe Menu Options
There are three menu options to choose from.
- Prix Fixe
- A La Carte
- Brunch (Three Courses)
I will definitely be returning to try the Prix Fixe dinner with wine pairings. I loved my brunch, but after seeing the dinner menu, I now have a sincere desire to sample the Prix Fixe dinner and wine options.
Pic Credit: Taco María Restaurant
on the Patio of Taco María
The OC Mix
🌟 Location/Hours and The OC Mix
3313 Hyland Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Hours:
| Thursday | 11 AM–2:30 PM 5:30–9:30 PM |
|---|---|
| Friday | 11 AM–2:30 PM 5:30–9:30 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–2:30 PM 5:30–9:30 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM–3 PM |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 11 AM–2:30 PM 5:30–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–2:30 PM 5:30–9:30 PM |
SOCO and The OC Mix
With more than 70 restaurants, designer showrooms, and small boutique shops, the South Coast Collection in Orange County (SOCO) is a shopping and dining complex that will inspire you. Plan to spend several hours here to enjoy this trendy upscale marketplace.
There is a myriad of shops to explore inside and out. Take your time and enjoy all that the center has to offer either before or after dining at Taco María!
Final Thoughts
You know that your dining experience is a success when you are planning a return visit while you are still at the restaurant! The Mexican-inspired cuisine delighted me in a way that left me wanting to try more! I will be back, and I hope that you are inspired to try this fabulous restaurant as well. Please comment below on your experiences with this wonderful restaurant! I am anxious to hear from you!
Cheers to Taco María for Chef’s Salgado’s exceptional Always5Star brunches!
For more information on recommended activities, restaurants, and shopping in Costa Mesa, California:
Disclosure: Travel Costa Mesa sponsored my brunch at Taco María – however, the opinions expressed in this article are my own.
About Pamela Rossi
I am passionate about travel and taking each moment and making it a five star experience. My goal is to create those experiences for YOU!
Comments