Red O Cantina: A True Taste of Mexico in San Diego

As frequent visitors to Baja California my husband and I are huge fans of the region’s cuisine – most especially its fresh seafood and wine.

To our delight, we discovered Red O in La Jolla. Located just across the street from the Westfield UTC shopping center, this amazing gem offered a surprising and outstanding dining experience. So much so, that my husband and I looked at each other and asked “Why have we not been here before?

Quick facts:

Address: 4340 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, 92122
Phone: 858-291-8360
Website

More About Red O

The restaurant opened in 2017 as the third Red O location in California. The others include Newport Beach’s Fashion Island and Santa Monica, adjacent to the famous Pier. A fourth location is set to open sometime this spring at the Promenade at Westlake Village.

Red O is open every day for lunch, happy hour from 3 pm to 6 pm, late night happy hour on Friday and Saturday from 9-11 pm and dinner from 3 pm throughout the week and 4 pm on weekends. Weekend Brunch is offered from 11 am-3 pm. 

What is it that makes this restaurant such an impressive standout? Red O not only offers incredible Baja and other Mexican-inspired seafood, unique Mexican plates, craft cocktails and amazing service, but the setting is absolutely stunning.

The first surprise on arrival is the picturesque pond with waterfalls located just outside the restaurant, something you never expected to see in UTC. Equally impressive is the elegant front veranda sporting a towering fireplace. Another revelation was the size of the restaurant – occupying over 9,000 square feet.

Once inside, guests are treated to a magical melding of intricately decorative warm woods, colorful tiles, unique mirrors, globe lighting, palm trees and even a large live tree with lanterns, a centerpiece of the main dining area. With its soaring ceilings, massive chandelier and Mexican aesthetics that have almost a Moorish-feel, the restaurant is strikingly beautiful. 

Red O offers outdoor bar seating and patio dining with three fire pits as well as indoor seating. Though the patio area is lovely, if you’re looking for the perfect ambiance, request seating in the main dining area. It’s that beautiful!

And if you’re needing to host a private party or corporate event, the Atrium and Tequila Garden are ideal options.

Tips to Consider When Dining at Red O

Our dining experience at Red O took place during dinner on a weeknight. Happy Hour at the bar was just finishing up but obviously, it was a popular event as almost every bar stool and table was filled. The menu includes small bites, specialty craft cocktails, wine and beer and unlike some restaurants that only include a small offering on their happy hour menus, Red O has an impressive variety of options.

In addition, the bartender mentioned that the restaurant also hosts a weekly Taco Tuesday with taco flights available at only $20 – another popular event for its patrons.

Reservations are highly recommended especially for dinner during the week and the weekends. And if you want to get the prime table seating underneath the lantern-covered tree, you’ll want to request that when you book the reservation.

Regarding parking, guests can either park in the garage and validate their ticket or select valet parking for $10.

What to Order at Red O

Dishes at Red O represent the traditional cooking of Oaxaca, Puebla and Yucatan, including the creative influences from Baja, California and Baja, Sur.

Before even getting to the food, it’s important to address Red O’s impressively creative cocktails. Red O offers a spectacular selection of over 200 of the finest tequilas. Servers are well-versed in these premium liquors and will bring the lighted tequila carts to your tableside.

Of no surprise, Red O’s margaritas are amazing. I loved the Sunburn with watermelon serrano agave and fresh lime juice over ice. The tajin-rim gave just the right amount of spice. For those looking to keep their figures in check, Red O offers an Organic Skinny with organic agave nectar and fresh lime juice over ice with a salted rim. 

Red O’s wine list is also impressive along with its other beer and cocktail options and of course, its sangrias. Honestly, it’s not easy to choose here.

Apertivos feature both seafood and land options. 

East And West Coast Oysters

If you’re an oyster fan, you want to choose the Fresh Oysters. They are topped with shrimp, pico de gallo, cucumber, avocado, serrano and fresh lime. The presentation is incredibly creative and the oysters are as fresh as it gets. 

Carnitas Empanadas

Another winner was the Carnitas Empanadas with braised pork, fresh corn mesa, house cheese blend and avocado crema. Empanadas lovers will drool.

Other dinner options include salads, traditional tortilla soup, tacos, and other traditional dishes such as Pollo Asado, Enchiladas, Slow-Braised Carnitas, Sizzling Fajitas and more.

Star of the Show Especiales

These sustainable treasures from the ocean, farm and garden are quite impressive as are their presentations. The chefs here understand and embrace true-blue upscale Mexican food based on the quality of entrees. I guarantee you will not find Anglified foods here!

Pan-Seared Chilean Sea Bass

I cannot ever pass up sea bass! Red O presented the Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass beautifully and served it with caramelized onions and peppers, charred lime and guajillo chimichurri over white rice. When sea bass is done to perfection as this one was, it’s melt-in-your-mouth foodie heaven.

Filet Mignon Mexican-Style

My hubby who loves his meat dishes selected the 8-ounce Filet Mignon with chipotle crema, cotija mashed potatoes and grilled Mexican knob onions. If you order a side dish, go for the Mexican Sweet Corn. This is always one of my favorite dishes when I’m in Mexico. Red O’s hit a home run with this dish prepared with poblano chile, cotija cheese, avocado crema and cilantro.

Our wonderful hospitality-focused server also suggested we try the Roasted Pollo Asado on a future visit, a very well-received entrée for those who love mole.

Save Room for Dessert

Even if you choose to ask for “to go” boxes, don’t miss out on ordering dessert. We took our server’s advice and went for the undisputed star, the Passion Fruit Butter Cake. This delightful and delectable dish includes strawberries, a passion fruit custard, coconut crumble and coconut ice cream. It’s enough to share, though after taking that first bite, you might not want to.

Other Mexican-inspired dessert options include a Carajillo Cheesecake (with a distinct coffee twist), traditional home-made flan, freshly-made churros with chocolate and cajeta dipping sauces, tres leches and more. To really top the entire Red O dining experience, you may want to consider an order of Mexican Coffee. This liquid jewel includes silver tequila, rich syrup, coffee liquor, coffee bitters, whipped cream, coffee and cinnamon powder.

Final Thoughts about Dining at Red O

English writer Virginia Wolfe once said, “One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.”

I couldn’t imagine agreeing more after dining at Red O. Our experience was even better than we expected. And guaranteed, we’ll want to return to try some of the restaurant’s other specialties. And take advantage of their impressive happy hour.

This Red O Review was written by Noreen Kompanik for San Diego Explorer. As customary in travel writing, the restaurant provided the dinner and experiences free of charge. This has not influenced their opinion and the content of this article.

Last Updated on May 15, 2024 by Maria Haase

The post Red O Cantina: A True Taste of Mexico in San Diego appeared first on San Diego Explorer.