Greer Wylder
Childhood memories of cascading chocolate fountains, sweet agave
nectar, homemade churros and flavorful bocadillos fueled the
inspiration for a new Mexican restaurant in Newport Beach called Taco
Rosa. Its owners, brothers Ivan and Marco Calderon, along with
partner Rene Fuentes, grew up in Mexico City.
"We wanted a place that reminded us of the places my mom and dad
used to take us," Marco Calderon said.
To recreate the past, they first took over the former What's
Cooking? location at Newport Hills Shopping Center. Then they
transformed the Italian bistro into a cantina-style restaurant. The
new design features authentic Mexican clay tiles, exposed beam
ceilings, rough plaster-finished walls, rustic pine furniture and
perforated tin sombrero lights. Upbeat Latin pop music adds to the
lively ambience.
To complete their reality, they installed an oval-shaped bar that
features freshly-made margaritas, an exhibition kitchen, a tortilla
station and enough seating for 140 guests. The restaurant also has a
large front patio seating area and a common area outside Pavilions,
where families gather and bring their dogs on the weekends.
"Customers who come here feel like they're somewhere besides
Newport Beach," Calderon said.
The trio of owners has a wealth of restaurant experience. After
working for Larry Cano -- founder of El Torito Restaurants, Inc. --
for more than 20 years, Ivan and Marco Calderon opened Taco Mesa in
1992, a chain of casual Mexican restaurants in Orange County. Taco
Mesa was top-rated by Zagat's guide for value and location in Costa
Mesa. It offers gourmet cuisine at a low cost, specializing in
authentic, spicy and healthy food. Rene Fuentes opened Laguna's most
popular Mexican seafood restaurant, Las Brisas, in 1978 and has 30
years' experience working for El Torito restaurants.
A Mexican-theme restaurant isn't unique to Newport Beach, yet Taco
Rosa presents a different dining style and has original touches other
restaurants don't offer. Taco Rosa is both a quick-casual and a
fine-dining restaurant.
"No one else is doing this," Calderon said. "At the door, we ask,
'What would you like to do?'"
Guests have a choice. They can come in and order an a la carte
lunch or dinner for $5 or spend $30 to $40 on a memorable meal.
Orders can be placed at a counter, or guests can be attended to by a
waiter. Taco Rosa, like its casual sister restaurant Taco Mesa,
concentrates on creative dishes that use only fresh, authentic
