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If you have family or friends in San Diego, you’ve probably heard them gush about Puesto. Now, the La Jolla-based chain famous for its gourmet street tacos — on blue corn tortillas, yet — has opened its first Northern California outpost, a massive, $8 million restaurant in the heart of Silicon Valley. The new spot officially opened a few weeks ago, so expect to wait for a table, even during weekday lunch service. Here’s just a taste:
THE VIBE: Large planters and wooden slats divide this cavernous restaurant into two parts. On the left, leather booths and a jewel-toned bar with an interactive liquor carousel that revolves around a giant skylight. Hydraulic shelves lower mezcal bottles to bartenders at the push of a button. Yep, quite the show.
To the right, you’ll find a family-friendly dining room with wood tables, handmade concrete tiles and prime viewing of artist Chor Boogie’s piñata-bright, spray-painted murals. Add in the dramatic wrap-around patio, perfect for sipping pricey but delicious margaritas ($13-$17) all summer, and one thing is clear: Vibe-wise, Puesto has something for everyone.
THE FOOD: It’s all about the tacos. Get yourself a trio ($16), preferably one that includes Puesto’s famous chicken al pastor taco, which is topped with avocado and a hibiscus and chipotle tinga, and the filet mignon taco (add $2), which comes with melted and crisped cheese, avocado and a kicky pistachio-serrano mix.
Sadly, Puesto’s to-die-for lobster taco didn’t make its way up north. But the Santa Clara branch is offering a Drakes Bay oyster taco ($2 more) and some other local touches, including a summer ice cream collaboration with Humphry Slocombe.
To accompany your tacos, get the Esquite ($9), which might just be the most heavenly thing to happen to grilled corn since butter. Puesto covers theirs in too much (as if) chile, lime, queso and crema zig zags, and it makes for a sensational, easy-to-share dish. Add a Classic Guacamole ($11) — the secret is fresh-squeezed orange and lime mixed into the avocado, cilantro, onion and habanero — and you’ll taste why Puesto is featured on San Diego best-restaurant lists.
DON’T MISS: A flight of wine from Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe ($14), spicy and wallet-friendly micheladas ($8 each) and pastry chef Jessica Scott’s rose-shaped Charred Mango Cheesecake with an almond-corn crust ($10).
PERFECT FOR … A family dinner or drinks with co-workers. Be sure to catch happy hour (3-6 p.m. weekdays) for $9 margaritas, and Taco Tuesdays for $3 tacos starting at 3 p.m.
DETAILS: Reservations recommended. 2572 Augustine Dr., Suite 110, Santa Clara. Opening in Concord later this year; http://eatpuesto.com
