Descanso Restaurant, a modern taqueria founded in Costa Mesa, California in 2018, announced the grand opening of its Los Angeles flagship location on Thursday, January 23, 2025. Located at 5773 Wilshire Blvd in the SAG-AFTRA Plaza, the new venture marks a significant milestone as Descanso expands beyond its Orange County roots into the vibrant city of Los Angeles.
“Descanso’s grand opening in Los Angeles is about celebrating the artistry of Mexican cuisine, where every dish tells a story, and every bite is a tribute to Mexican heritage and contemporary creativity,” shared Rob Arellano, Founder and Owner of Descanso in a statement. “Los Angeles is a melting pot of cultures and serves as the perfect stage for culinary exploration. We’re thrilled to contribute our unique interpretation of Mexican fare to this dynamic food landscape.”
Located in the heart of Mid-Wilshire, the new 9,000-square-foot Descanso accommodates 240 guests and features a central bar, a main dining room, two open-air patios, and the celebrated Plancha room, where Descanso’s signature Plancha dining experience comes to life. In this one-of-a-kind space, Planchero Chefs prepare multi-course meals right before guests at a communal table, offering an interactive and unforgettable experience that brings the vibrant energy of street-side vendors to the dining table. For those seeking a more intimate setting, the Private Plancha Room, designed for up to 10 guests, offers a bespoke Chef’s Table experience with a tailored menu of dishes.
The new restaurant will showcase vibrant artwork by local Los Angeles artists, with muralist Daniel Felechner, Erica Friend, and JP Mural (Juan Reyes) contributing striking pieces that reflect Mexico’s rich cultural heritage. Friend’s works, such as Coatlicue Mother of Gods and Sunflower Eclipse, explore Aztec mythology and celestial themes, while Reyes honors Frida Kahlo with a mural celebrating her legacy, strengthening the restaurant’s connection to both LA’s dynamic art scene and Mexico’s cultural legacy.
At the heart of the space, the 38-seat bar will serve a variety of crafted cocktails, including Margaritas Especiales like the classic El Descanso with Milagro Reposado, agave, and fresh lime, and the spicy Bad Hombre with Herradura Reposado, lime, pineapple, serrano, and a salt-and-pepper rim. Refreshing options such as the Sandía-Rita and Cucumber y Sal will also be available.
Guests can also join Descanso’s Casillero Club for exclusive access to the very finest limited-release agave spirits available. Members will have the opportunity to purchase rare Tequilas and Mezcals, with the option to store the fine spirits in a secure private locker at the restaurant. Membership also includes priority reservations, first access to limited releases, and special gifts from the kitchen or bar with every visit.
Under the leadership of Corporate Executive Chef Jose Angulo, who joined Descanso in Costa Mesa in 2021, the menu fuses Mexico’s culinary traditions with modern techniques. Highlights include the Seafood Tower with oysters, poached lobster tail, Peruvian scallops, snow crab claws, shrimp cocktail, ceviche campechano, caperberries, morita cocktail sauce, cucumber-serrano mignonette, and lemon. The Enchiladas de Langosta feature butter-poached lobster in tortillas, and the Taquitos de Camarón are made with marinated shrimp, blue corn tortillas, shredded lettuce, morita aioli, and mango-habanero salsa. For a customizable experience, the guest favorite, Alambre, allows guests to choose from steak, al pastor, chicken, shrimp or seasonal vegetables, complemented by bacon, onions, bell peppers, tres quesos frito, avocado toreado, serranos, micro cilantro and flour tortillas.
Descanso will serve lunch Monday through Friday from 11:30am to 3:00pm, dinner Monday through Thursday from 3:00pm to 10:00pm, Friday and Saturday from 3:00pm to 12:00am, and Sunday from 3:00pm to 10:00pm. Brunch will be available on weekends from 11:00am to 3:00pm and happy hour specials, featuring exclusive menu items and discounts on select food and beverages, are offered Monday through Friday from 4:00pm to 6:00pm.
