Xela’s Taco Omakase in Stillwater Is Unlike Anything in Minnesota | Eater Twin Cities

"Opened early this year by chefs Cristian and Karen De Leon, this intimate Stillwater restaurant channels the couple’s shared Mayan roots to deliver what is likely Minnesota’s first taco omakase. Housed in a bright, airy former Thai spot with rattan lighting, wooden tabletops, a prominent bar, a chef’s table, and colorful Latin American artwork, the dining experience is both immersive and prideful: an eight-course taco tasting ($80) that mixes traditional Guatemalan and Mexican influences with regional Minnesota ingredients. Signature preparations include a reimagined hilachas rendered as short rib with a chile guaque demi-glace and root vegetable pavé, a pepián highlighting local pepitas, an al pastor of pork belly with grilled pineapple, a quesabirria that helped the founders’ earlier success, and an infladita featuring poached lobster in aguachile. The omakase ends with a chocolate-themed sweet, and thoughtful beverage pairings ($35) — including two nonalcoholic pours and inventive cocktails that riff on Batanga, michelada, and carajillo traditions — amplify the flavors. The service blends short, informative storytelling about the dishes’ cultural roots with creative flourishes, making the meal feel both educational and celebratory; it’s recommended as a destination tasting-menu experience, with a la carte options available for a quicker visit." - Cinnamon Janzer