El Mercado Modern Cuisine - Santa Ana, California

Florence M

We came on Sunday noon, there were plenty of tables available. We especially liked Aguachile and Pulpo A La Plancha. Tlayuda was a good idea but not our favorite.

Ahmad Danaee

What a night! This will be a long review…

I started questioning the restaurant driving up to it. Shady neighborhood, and I swear there was a guy trying to steal the tires from a parked car few blocks away. The restaurant itself was almost empty around 7pm on a Friday, while the Asian place right next to it was packed! I almost changed my mind to go there, glad I didn’t.

Here is the jump up after spending few hours inside:

-Very warm and cozy ambient, made me feel relaxed
-Live music on Friday nights. The performer (Paco) was an absolute talent, one of the best guitarists. It blended perfectly with the vibe
-Our server was so nice and attentive
-Food was just OK, but who cares. The whole experience was so nice that you could as well brought me Wendy’s
-The coconut ice cream, daaaaamn that was good. Whatever you do, make sure you order the ice cream
-I ended up staying there almost an our after food was over, just enjoying being there
-My tires were left un-stolen

L. Maryanne Paz

I loved the drinks first, service and then the food! Cocktails were on point, very creative and delicious! Service was incredible and servers provided lots of great recommendations, like get the quesadilla with the Chicken! The HH shrimp and pork belly tacos were my least favorite. I will be telling everyone about the Brussel sprouts for days to come!

Lauri

I was in the area for a work-related fun event and took a much-needed break here. The food was so delicious, I would make a special trip back. The owners are from Peru and the other owner is from Oaxaca. Together, I believe they create culinary bliss ?

Sara Cardenas

I couldn’t believe how this spot has never populated for me on Google! This place is amazing! From the ambiance to the drinks to the food. My husband and I are big foodies and although this place is slightly more on the expensive side the quality of food speaks for itself. For appetizers, we shared the aguachiles, the quesadilla with chicken and the Brussels sprouts.
The quesadilla was in a toasty blue corn tortilla, salsa puya, Oaxaca cheese, chicken, corn and what tasted like rajas, highly recommend. The Brussels sprouts were toasted to perfection with Parmesan cheese flakes, mixed pickled veggies with this chile ancho sauce glazed over. For our entrees, my husband got camarones a la diabla, which was some spicy red lentils cooked in a mich mole with some sautéed shrimp on top, topped off with almonds. This plate was so creamy and so good. I got the carnitas plate with a side of rice and beans. It was slow roasted pork on this salsa verde with pickled onions, cilantro and pork jus. It comes paired with homemade tortillas that they make as you order.

The service was so great, our waitress Banessa was on it and one of the owners stepped out to check on how everything was. As it being our first time we were intrigued by the story behind this restaurant. I told him I found it on social media that it had a Michelin star and I couldn’t believe we had never tried it. It has a Peruvian, Oaxaca and Japanese infusion and you can taste it in their food. The drinks were amazing, mostly tequila and mezcal based but they have substitutes available. My favorite was the ay madre and my husband’s was the Sinaloa in a glass.

Definitely plan on coming back for the live music and all day happy hour on Wednesdays!

Georgina Curry

This place came highly recommended as a must try. I was very happy that ot did not disappoint. I was dying to try any huitlacoche dish they had, and they delivered on a vegan and delicious dish, very happy with it.i also have a sinful obsession with the perfect crispy rolled taco, and oh man did this dish hot the spot, hands down one of the top 2 in my experience, but #1 in how it was served, in a xoconostle salsa and chicken jus, had to save for last after tasting it. I know taquitos and rolled tacos seem simple and everyone has them, but they are usually terrible, dry, over cooked no filling or bad oil flavors, but this one delivers. The staff was super attentive and welcoming, went above and beyond to answer all my questions and explain their origins. Oh and the drink was very good as well.

Johnny Ortiz

Great overall experience. Made a reservation and had to change. Called and spoke with Jose, very accommodating and professional. Greeted upon arrival. Banessa was our server, very knowledgeable and attentive. Food and drinks were great The live music was the cherry on top! Thanks, made a special dinner a memorable one

Susan S. McClellan

We went with our neighbors for Happy Hour. We started with drinks: Sauvignon Blanc, Paloma, Old Fashioned and a Margarita. They were good enough to offer a second round. We started with chips and guacamole served with a side of crickets (grillos). Then we ordered carnitas, pork belly tacos, and a chicken quesadilla from the Happy Hour menu. We added aguachile and empanadas. Everything was very tasty, however the crickets are an acquired taste. We had to try desserts so I finished with coconut ice cream and the Oaxaca flourless chocolate cake served with ice cream. The coconut ice was light and refreshing. The flourless cake was rich and satisfying.

The service was attentive. There was a bit of a wait to get the Happy Hour food order. The music began while we were waiting. The musician was accomplished as a guitarist and as a singer and we enjoyed the selection of songs he sang.