Taleo Mexican Grill

Located in Park Place-Irvine, Taléo Mexican Grill, is the ultimate in upscale service, well-appointed interior and authentic Mexican food. The restaurant features a large dining area comfortable for small and large parties alike. The centerpiece of the bar is a lounge with espresso-colored leather sofas and large ottomans designed for comfort. Here, you can wait for your table or visit with...

First off, the tortilla chips are made to order and paired with fresh salsa and guacamole. Again, the freshness shines through, even this early in the meal with just a basket of slightly oily, warm salty tortilla chips. The salsa had bite and the guacamole was creamy and rich as it should be. Next up was a tamale drizzled with a rich red sauce and sprinkled with some mild, crumbly Mexican cheese. I think it was a mole sauce, which isn’t something I’m a big fan of, but the richness of the beef and the soft corn of the tamale were so good I didn’t even mind. Then came the ono, carnitas and camarones. Whew. Just looking at this gorgeous food was a powerful experience. Never let it be said that Taleo Grill’s presentation skills are lacking. Big, succulent shrimp in a rich white wine sauce beckoned to me from across the table. The vibrant colors of the vegetables and the velvety hue of the sauce accompanying the fish were very eye-catching, and the carnitas were a vision of beauty. Imagine a thick, glistening, juicy hunk of pork that’s been slow cooked for hours and allowed to caramelize at the edges. It’s been given a gentle coating of tangy sauce, whether smeard on or marinated, I’m not sure. But this thing was perfect. No knives necessary here, the meat just comes apart with your fork and then melts in your mouth.

This review has been pretty carnivorous so far, but the other stuff deserves your attention as well. We had fragrant rice, some gorgeous roasted corn with herbs, thick slices of grilled toast for sopping up sauces, and margaritas that were clean and cool with just enough bite. Ever had a cucumber margarita? You can get one here, and you should, because it works! The rim is sprinkled with burnt orange-colored spices that set off the essence of cucumber.

Finally, we come to the dessert. Never have I had a flan such as this. It was bigger than I was expecting, with about a six inch diameter. It glistened in the sun with a tiny garnish of mint leaves, just begging for a spoon. It was perfectly creamy and only mildly sweet, without being runny or eggy or anything remotely unpleasant.

In Short
From the tortilla chips and guacamole to savory sauces and hand-rolled tamales, everything is made fresh and served by an attentive staff. Specialties include beef enchiladas,...

Taleo Mexican Grill is located at the address 3309 Michelson Dr in Irvine, California 92612. They can be contacted via phone at (949) 553-9002 for pricing, hours and directions. Taleo Mexican Grill specializes in Holiday Parties, Wedding Ceremonies, Banquets.

Taleo Mexican Grill has an annual sales volume of 1M – 1,999,999. .For more information contact Nic Villarreal, President or go to...

Taleo Mexican Fusion Restaurant is a concept unlike any other eatery in Orange County. With its traditional Mexican cooking foundation combined with new modern California Cooking. TMF (Taleo Mexican Fusion) has set the standard of fusion cuisine in OC. The inviting menu offers a selection of Mexican Riviera and Asian influences. The customer has a number of choices from dining on lighter food...

Located in Park Place-Irvine, Taléo Mexican Grill, is the ultimate in upscale service, well-appointed interior and authentic Mexican food. The restaurant features a large dining area comfortable for small and large parties alike. The centerpiece of the bar is a lounge with espresso-colored leather sofas and large ottomans designed for comfort. Here, you can wait for your table or visit with...