Puesto

Irvine area OC’ers have been excitedly awaiting Los Olivos’ latest addition, a familiar hotspot for those enjoying the San Diego Marina or La Jolla’s laid back food scene. Now, they can share this fresh look at Mexican with their own families.

“When launching Puesto with my brother and cousin, much of the inspiration came from our childhood memories of sharing delicious home-cooked meals with the rest of our family, says Eric Adler, one of Puesto’s owners. “Now, as a new dad to a 6-month-old baby girl, I’m looking forward to her trying her first taco, and celebrating my family’s love of Mexican food with the next generation.”

Tacos are a staple at this longtime San Diego favorite. Traditional flavor profiles are amped up with lobster, striped bass, octopus, tamarindo shrimp and cactus veg additions. Puesto successfully mixes a casual attitude restaurant with an original twist on Mexican street food and drinks.

Charred orange, handcraft pink grapefruit soda, house-made strawberry-cilantro vodka – these unique ingredients add a flavorful kick to the specialty cocktail list (though we’re pretty partial to the Puesto Perfect Margarita.) Indeed, Puesto demonstrates the true meaning of fresh outside the bar, with handmade tortillas, scratch salsas, all-natural meats, sustainable seafood and local organic greens.

It is food you are happy to feed your kids. And yourself.

Irvine | eatpuesto.com

New Slapfish and Ruby’s

Two new little foodie hotspots have landed at the Outlets at San Clemente. Slapfish, a seafood shack, and burger and fries standby Ruby’s Diner have arrived. Slapfish touts itself as a casual eatery that balances the quality of fine dining with the “cost and convenience of fast food.”

Owner Doug Pham said he was excited to continue expanding the restaurant, which now has six Orange County locations. “Outlets at San Clemente is the perfect location to introduce our unique experience to a new audience, while offering a beautiful destination for our loyal fans and followers,” said Pham.

Ruby’s Diner added a restaurant to the outlets last year, offering shoppers yet another spot to chow down. There’s more to come. Rockwell’s Café and Bakery – a comfort food confectionery with a gourmet menu – is slated to open later this year.

San Clemente | www.outletsatsanclemente.com