Restaurant:
Pueblo
3321 Hyland Ave Ste D
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Hello and Welcome to another episode of Restaurant Reviews!
Today, we're taking a look at one of the most popular tapas restaurants in Orange County serving modern Spanish Cuisine.
ABOUT THE RESTAURANT
Pueblo is a Spanish restaurant located in a rustic, trendy shopping center called the OC Mix in Costa Mesa. They serve various food items like paellas, charcuterie, and cocktails, but are most well known for their tapas.
If you're unfamiliar with tapas, they refer to appetizers or small plates in Spanish cuisine. Eating at a tapas restaurant often entails ordering a variety of small dishes that make up the entire meal rather than ordering larger entree dishes.
I've actually been to this restaurant quite a number of times, but because their menu changes seasonally, it's always a fun and novel experience here. Before you begin your meal, they often start you off with a complimentary appetizer, which today was homemade seasoned popcorn.
THE DRINKS
1. Penelope Palomarita ($13)
Description:
Sabe Tequila, Grapefruit Sour, and Agave topped with Lime and Orange Wedges and a Salt Rim.
Review:
Even though Pueblo isn't considered a designated bar, I think they actually serve some of the best cocktails in town. They're simple, creative, and have the perfect ratio of sweetness to alcohol content.
This concoction is their take on a fusion between two of the most popular tequila based drinks: the Paloma (Tequila, Grapefruit Soda, Lime), and the Margarita (Tequila, Triple Sec, Lime).
The Tequila they used was super smooth and had that slight natural sweetness that high quality tequilas often have. The grapefruit sour along with the lime and orange added some bright and citrusy notes to the drink that kept the cocktail light and refreshing with just the right amount of sweetness. The cocktail itself was pretty simple, but was executed perfectly and they successfully managed to combine two of the most classic tequila based cocktails and turn it into something special.
Result:
Refreshing, smooth, and perfectly balanced with just the right amount of natural sweetness. 10/10.
THE FOOD
1. Queso Fundido ($10)
Description:
Charred Goat Cheese with Honey, Black Truffle Oil, and Chopped Chives served with Sliced Crostinis.
Review:
This is one of their signature and permanent dishes despite the restaurant's ever-changing menu. This queso fundido dish is what made me first fall in love with Pueblo and I even get random cravings to come back here just for this.
The first thing you'll notice is the strong truffle aroma permeating from this cheesy concoction. The truffle flavor initially comes on strong as the goat cheese then coats your mouth with a savoury and slightly tangy flavor from the melted cheese.
The goat cheese was smooth and creamy and had a charred layer on top that added a bit of a smoky flavor. There was a suble sweetness on the backend from the honey that you don't really notice at first, but really tied in those flavors from the rich cheese and luxurious truffle. They also provide you with a side of crostinis that are baked in house and have a beautifully crunchy texture that complimented the creamy cheese well. It's a flavor combination that's straight out of heaven and you'll definitely fall in love with this if you're a lover of truffle like I am.
Result:
Perfect in every which way and a dish you can't find anywhere else. 10/10.
2. Gazpacho con Salmon ($12)
Description:
Fresh Melon-Berry Gazpacho and House Smoked Salmon topped with Onions, Radish, and Microgreens.
Review:
I've tried a bunch of variations of their smoked salmon dishes and they always had one thing in common. The flavor on the salmon was always extremely smoky to the point where it tasted like it was straight out of a campfire, and I absolutely loved that flavor.
Today, they took a lighter approach to the dish, smoking the fish a bit less to compliment the refreshing fruity gazpacho. The salmon was nice and flaky and had a subtle pleasant smoky flavor that was definitely present, but not quite like I was hoping for.
The Gazpacho had a noticeable sweetness of watermelon with some backend fruity notes from the berries that was kind of strange at first, but the more I ate it, the more it grew on me. The combination of the smoked fish and fruity gazpacho worked surprisingly well together, but there was a part of me that still wished the salmon had that punchy smoky that all their previous smoked salmon dishes had in the past. Nonetheless, I can see why they decided to go this route and it was still a tasty and well balanced dish all around.
Result:
Flaky, Fruity, and Interesting, but I wish the salmon had a little bit more of that smoky flavor. 8/10.
3. Costilla ($15)
Description:
Crispy Pork Ribs in a Demi-Glace sauce served with Red Rice Pilaf and topped with Corn, Microgreens, Chopped Red Peppers, and Cilantro.
Review:
This was another one of their dishes that we've tried a few variations of and we always made sure to order this every time we visit Pueblo.
The pork ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender and had a lightly glazed crispy exterior just like the description suggests. They normally always served their ribs with some sort of greens like snow peas or string beans, but I was pleasantly surprised to see them serve it with red rice pilaf on this particular night (I personally like carbs with my meat).
The rice was seasoned phenomenally and was very flavorful, kind of like a risotto. The corn, peppers, and microgreens also added some bright notes to the dish which worked really well with the meaty pork ribs and rice.
Even though the pork ribs in this dish were solid, I was actually more impressed with the red rice pilaf that was served on the side. Given that Pueblo now specializes in paellas, I think this has convinced me to definitely try one of their specialty paella rice dishes on my next visit.
Result:
Tender and Crispy Pork Ribs with Phenomenal Red Rice Pilaf. Rating 8.5/10.
4.Mar y Montana ($18)
Description:
Seared Jumbo Scallops and Cured Pork Belly in a Lemongrass and Garlic Sauce.
Review:
This is the ultimate surf and turf dish that nobody seems to really do, but I think that could change once more people try this dish.
The scallops were huge and had that perfect charred sear on the exterior that gave it a slightly smoky and crispy crust. The inside was extremely soft and was almost melt-in-your-mouth tender.
The pork belly was also extremely thickly cut and there was a noticeable golden brown sear on all sides of the fatty morsels of meat. There didn't seem to be any other seasoning on the pork belly with the exception of the slight saltiness from the cure, but the lemongrass garlic sauce on the bottom added just a light touch of brightness to compliment the rich and fatty meat.
Result:
This along with the queso fundido were probably my favorite tapas on this particular night so if you come here and you're not sure what to order, you should probably start here. 9/10.
THE DESSERT
1. Beer Float ($9)
Description:
Mexican Style Chocolate Stout with Homemade Coconut Ice Cream an a Cinnamon Rim
Review:
This was the first thing that stood out to me on the dessert menu because I've never actually tried a beer float before (well... that and I can't resist anything with ice cream in it).
I was initially surprised at the simplistic presentation of this dessert since they just served their ice cream in a cup with a can of beer on the side, but something about it just made it work. There's no doubt their ice cream was homemade because the texture was ridiculously soft and fluffy and unlike any other ice cream I've ever had. There was the perfect amount of coconut sweetness to it and it was actually very natural tasting. The cinnamon rim was also a great touch and was the perfect compliment to the ice cream.
I know that the beer is technically just a store bought item, but I've never had this particular type of stout before and it was actually one of best darker beers I've tried. I'm no liquor snob, but I could definitely taste notes of coffee and dark chocolate in the ale and the bittersweet taste of the beer worked extremely well with the sweet coconut ice cream.
It was one of the most mind-blowingly simple desserts that absolutely blew me away.
Result:
Their coconut ice cream may have been one of the best ice creams I've ever had in my life (and I'm not even a huge fan of coconut). 10/10.
2. Pan Perdido ($8)
Description:
Peach Bread Pudding with Candied Pecans, Bourbon Whip Cream, and a Sprig of Mint
Review:
I may have gotten a bit too excited over the last dessert, but Pueblo sure does seem to do their desserts right and that is no exception with their peach bread pudding.
Each bread pudding is made to order and comes out super fresh and warm. The bread pudding is unbelievably moist and is only enhanced by the naturally sweet caramelized peaches on top. Even their homemade whip cream is phenomenal and you can really taste the hints of vanilla and bourbon mixed in with the cream. It was light and airy and added some fresh and light notes to the decadent bread pudding. Unbelievably good.
Result:
Flawless. 10/10.
OVERALL RATING
Pueblo is one of those restaurants that checks all the boxes in what makes a good restaurant. They have amazing food, great ambience, and a fun eating experience because you never really know what you're going to get since their menu is always changing. It's obvious there's a lot of thought that goes into each of their dishes and I have yet to try anything here that I absolutely despised so I would encourage you to try a bunch of different things on their menu if you get a chance to dine here. They do get really busy during peak hours so waits are frequent here, but I think it's absolutely worth it. Pueblo is one of my absolute favorite restaurants and if you're ever in the area, definitely check this place out.
Food: 9.5/10
Service: 9.5/10
Value: 9.5/10
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