Inside Puesto, Santa Clara’s $8 Million Taco Temple | Eater SF

"I noted that Northern California will get its first taste of Puesto’s popular tacos on blue corn tortillas when the La Jolla–founded chain opens its new Santa Clara location at 2752 Augustine Drive on Thursday, May 17. The peninsula restaurant occupies about 9,000 square feet and seats more than 300 after an $8 million buildout designed by San Diego’s Paul Basile, with industrial materials that echo the chain’s La Jolla, Irvine, and San Diego sites. Founded in 2012 by brothers Eric and Alan Adler and their cousin Isidoro Lombrozo, Puesto lists Mexico City native Luisteen Gonzalez as executive chef and partner alongside executive creative chef Katy Smith; its tacos—from carnitas and chicken al pastor (with hibiscus and chipotle tinga) to filet mignon and Maine lobster—are served on blue corn tortillas made with masa from Kernel of Truth. Special to the Santa Clara menu are oyster tacos made with Drake’s Bay oysters, tomatillo “mignonette” salsa, oyster and habanero crema, radish, cilantro, and serrano. Unique design touches include spray-painted murals by SF artist Chor Boogie and a hydraulic “booze carousel” bar with custom liquor shelving that descends to bartenders; the restaurant pours a self-declared “perfect” margarita (blue agave Reposado, lime, agave) as well as Valle de Guadalupe wine and Mexican microbrews. For dessert, pastry chef Jessica Scott offers items like a ChocoFlan Piñata Cake covered in cajeta and a summer corn and strawberry jam ice cream made with Humphrey Slocombe, and the restaurant even brewed a custom cantaloupe beer with Woods Beer Co. Puesto Santa Clara will be open for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily." - Caleb Pershan