Puesto Menu

Puesto Restaurant Review:

With a smaller sister restaurant in La Jolla, the second incarnation of Puesto, set in the former police headquarters downtown, is a real showstopper. Renowned L.A. designer Thomas Schoos (Searsucker, Herringbone) has made magic again with the two-story space that sports exposed brick, giant murals, terra cotta pots suspended in the air, and an exhibition kitchen that pulses with action. The food and drink are as colorful as the design, with artisanal beverages from the Queen-Conner-Ward Collective, mixologists who take the margarita to a new level. For a festive start, order the "Mexican Street Bowl," a stack of fresh watermelon, mango, pineapple, cucumber and jícama, sprinkled with chili, sea salt and lime juice. Soft tacos are the main draw, with a lengthy list of options ranging from smoked tuna with green olives, capers and tomatoes in a tomatillo roja, and filet mignon with spicy pistachio and jalapeño, to lobster with black beans or crispy wild cod with chili crema. Vegetarians can nosh the tasty potato and soy chorizo taco or the zucchini and cactus. The highlight of the menu appears as chicken and mole three ways --- traditional, green and white almond. The wine list features gems from Baja's wine country, the Guadalupe Valley, the new hotspot to visit across the border.