"This old California-inflected restaurant opened with quite a buzz in San Juan Capistrano as part of its redeveloped Los Rios District, where chef Aaron Zimmer serves wood-grilled steaks, sliced hamachi with charred avocado, grilled Spanish octopus, and buttery corn bread. The inside-outside space offers high ceilings and airy patio vibes that look out into the River Street Marketplace and its upscale clothing boutiques. La Vaquera is proof that, along with 61Hundred and Bred Hot Chicken, that San Juan Capistrano is the hottest dining neighborhood in Orange County. — Matthew Kang, lead editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest" - Jenn Tanaka