We love watching how the relatively petite enclave of Costa Mesa has become a haven for Orange County foodies, and locals like us are thrilled to welcome yet another gem to the fold: Chef Amar Santana’s Spanish tapas restaurant, Vaca. Suppose you haven’t heard of Vaca. Chef Santana has legions of fans in Costa Mesa, and as soon as the doors to his restaurants open, getting a reservation can be a cutthroat business.

Although Vaca has been open for a few years now (the restaurant opened in 2017), the place was on its way to being full when we dined. With tapas, paella, craft cocktails that lean into the Spanish vibe, and an expertly curated wine list with excellent Iberian wines, it’s easy to see why this spot remains a favorite.

Chef Amar Santana: Local Superstar

While most foodies might know Chef Amar Santana as a finalist on Bravo’s “Top Chef California,” he has been one of Orange County’s most recognizable chefs for the past two decades. Amar began honing his talents in one of the most prestigious culinary schools in the United States, The Culinary Institute of America, after he received a scholarship to study there in the 1990s. 

In addition to Vaca, he is also the Executive Chef at Broadway by Amar Santana, a Laguna Beach restaurant whose menu is modeled after New York’s famous theater scene.

The Atmosphere 

Vaca is a trendy little spot with a great vibe. The restaurant is buzzing with activity, and all of the diners we observed looked beyond happy with their meals. With its trendy industrial elegance, we picture this restaurant as an ideal place for a date night, after-work happy hour, or a fun Orange County restaurant to gather with friends for an evening out.

The bar is done up in dark colors and has a captivating moodiness to it. The patio seating is covered for guests’ comfort, and each table is close to a heat lamp.

The Menu

Vaca’s menu is robust and includes all of Spain’s greatest hits. On the menu, you will find a mix of cuisines from Andalucia, Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, and Basque country. There are several dozen types of tapas that range from light, traditional fare like Pan Con Tomate, Croquettes, and Spanish Octopus, big bowls of made-from-scratch paella, and half a dozen types of imported Spanish ham and cheese, including the legendary acorn-fed Iberico ham. 

The lunch menu is pretty trim compared to the expansive offerings at dinner, but you can still enjoy a nice selection of items like a grilled lamb burger, a wagyu burger, and a three-course “express lunch.” 

Wines & Cocktails

Are you a fan of Spanish wine and cocktails? If you said ‘yes’, you are going to love the drinks list at Vaca. Not only is the wine list almost entirely sourced from Spanish producers, but they have a huge selection of sherries, gin and tonics (Spain’s favorite cocktails), and vermouth-based drinks. 

The Experience

The execution of authentic Spanish tapas at Vaca is exquisite, and we loved that the menu gives guests a choice between shareable tapas plate options, or the aged beef and pork main dishes.

Here’s a quick rundown of the dishes we sampled:

• Albondigas de Wagyu – Wagyu meatballs, root vegetable puree, red onion marmalade. The Wagyu beef was incredibly tender, and the savory root veggies were absolutely perfect with the slightly sweet red onion marmalade.
• Charcuterie Board with Iberico ham – pair this with one of the restaurant’s signature gin n’ tonics or Spanish wines by the glass.
• Erizos con Huevos – Fresh sea urchin scrambled eggs with buttery uni, miso toast, and topped with caviar. Enough said.
• Gambas al Ajillo – Sauteed shrimp, olive oil, garlic, chili flakes, and warm grilled bread. 
• Rabo de Toro – Red wine braised beef oxtail with wild mushrooms. Is there a more perfect comfort food than tender, red wine braised oxtail?

To complete the meal, we chose a bottle of Millenium Tinto Pesquera Gran Reserva 2015, a 100% Tempranillo wine. The palate was bright and ripe with dark fruit notes, spice, and roasted coffee. 

As you can see from what we ordered, the menu and experience here are perfect for fall dining. There is no better style of food to cozy up with (even in moderately mild Orange County), than slow-cooked meats in rich sauces, or warm small bites with braised meats and grilled bread.

Final Thought

Overall, we loved the vibe at Vaca restaurant. The biggest challenge you might have when you dine here is trying to decide between so many enticing options. But, that may not be a bad thing, because it invites you to return!

Tips

• Reservations: Vaca accepts reservations, and they are highly recommended Thursday through Saturday evening. 

• Corkage: Corkage at Vaca in Costa Mesa is $30 per bottle, with no limit on the number of bottles guests can bring.
• Vaca serves both lunch and dinner. If you have trouble reserving a table for dinner on the weekend, try lunch.
• Like most Spanish restaurants, the menu at Vaca is a meat lover’s dream. If you’re following a vegan diet, just be aware that vegan options are limited.
• Can’t make it to Orange County? Vaca is expanding to downtown Los Angeles in 2024.