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Cinco de Mayo is more than a great excuse to sip margaritas and pile your plate with tacos—though, let’s be honest, we’re totally down for that too. This vibrant holiday brings a burst of color, culture, and community every May 5th, celebrating an unlikely victory of the Mexican army over French forces at the Battle of Puebla. But whether you’re in it for the history or just the fiesta, time to mariachi and shout ¡Viva México. ¡Vamos Food Party!
In search of early revelry, we stopped at Puesto this week. Five minutes from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, this 9,000-square-foot restaurant combines traditional Mexican cuisine with modern flair. The restaurant’s design, crafted by Paul Basile of BASILE Studio, features industrial elements blended with street chic aesthetics, including handmade concrete tiles, custom-made furniture, and warm copper accents. A beautiful space of cozy spots – friendly and perfect for parties.
One of the standout features is the hydraulic bar. This interactive liquor carousel revolves around a giant skylight. Push the button and shelving descends to meet the bartender, kinda like Drink Masters meets Carvana. My dinner guest E. enjoyed one of many storied homebrews, created by none other than brewmaster Doug Hasker of Gorden Biersch fame. Yup, he’s still brewing in Puesto’s Mission Valley Cervecería. I enjoyed a Clarified Guava Margarita; tequila, guava, canela (cinnamon), orgeat and lime – clarified with milk. “Milk washing” is a trend these days. Mix milk with your cocktail and watch acids coagulate proteins, curdle, then bind to tannins and other cloudies. Strain for a clear, translucent drink. It’s the same idea as making consommé with stock and raft or coagulated egg whites
Culinary offerings at Puesto are equally impressive, and the sauces really shine. The restaurant serves award-winning tacos with absolutely gorgeous, thick and soft blue corn tortillas made daily in-house. Executive Chef Raul Casillas pushed his favorite Ribeye Tacos, but we went veg with Asparagus Taco (grilled zucchini, hoja santa and pipián verde (GF, V+). Hoja Santa is the round-leaf plant you see on top in the photo below. It’s unique with a sassafras aroma and hints of anise, black pepper, and eucalyptus. E. raved to Chef Raul about the combo of creamy zucchini with crunchy asparagus – I love it.” Mushroom Taco had crispy melted cheese, mushrooms, pickled onions and stone fruit serrano salsa (GF, V). Tacos come individually – $10. Added a side of Esquite, grilled corn, chile, lime, questo and Cotija. Yum. I’m always hoping for plant-protein and wonder what creative things Chef might do with the lowly pinto bean? Alas, none on the menu to order.
Ceviche takes a starring role at Puesto. E. ordered Ceviche Zarandeado, and surprisingly I liked it. Bluefin tuna, serrano, pickled onions (in beet juice) unite with chipotle crema in an umami explosion that didn’t overwhelm the fish. With no vegetarian options, we finished with a plate of Suizas, chicken enchiladas in a FAB chile verde sauce, with Oaxacan-style cheese, avocado and Mexican crema (GF).
Puesto kicks off Cinco de Mayo May 1st – 5th with Puesto Fiesta Lager. This 6.2% ABV lager offers notes of toast and honey biscuit with a balanced hop finish. On tap ’til it’s gone. The place was packed on a Monday night so the secret is out. Get there early.
Santana Row for Cinco de Mayo?
Food Party! favorites Zazil and El Jardin host a four-day fest and joint celebration on their shared patio in San Jose.
- Friday, May 2
- 6:00-9:00pm: Live music
- Saturday, May 3
- 12:00pm-3:00pm: Live music
- 4:00pm-5:00pm: Folklore dance
- 5:00pm-9:00pm: Son de Kali
- Sunday, May 4
- 12:00pm-3:00pm: Individuo
- 3:00pm-5:00pm: Mariachi
- 5:00pm-9:00pm: DJ
- Monday, May 5
- 12:00pm-3:00pm: Son de Kali
- 3:00pm-4:00pm: Mariachi
4::00pm-10:00pm: DJ
Make it a crawl like we did in December. Happy hour at new comer and taco haven Parranga. Walk to El Jardin for appetizers. End at Zazil for roasted jalapeno margaritas, traditional entrees, live music and dancing!
Puesto – 2752 Augustine Dr Suite 110, Santa Clara & 2035 Diamond Blvd, Concord
Zazil and El Jardin – Santana Row
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