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3 Courses, 2 People, $20. Juicy Burgers & Tender Ribs. You Choose!
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Went with a group and the service was the standout of the meal. It was that good!
Got the requisite grasshoppers which were a bit salty but delish. And you feel, you know, adventurous for San Jose. Food and drinks were solid. We'll be back.
Patience, young chapulin... Actually, you probably want to eat those little suckers quickly. Yes, I'm talking about fried grasshoppers, the delicacy here. They go down easier if you don't look at it before you pop it into your mouth. Even easier, plop one on a chip and then dip it into some guac. You won't even notice that you're munching on a toasted insect.
If you're not so adventurous, Mezcal serves up a variety of Oaxacan specialties. Mole is a predominant sauce used in the dishes. In fact, instead of getting chips with salsa, you get chips with three types of mole. I enjoyed the quesadillas, molotes and Oaxacan style enchiladas. You have to remember that the flavors are not your typical Mexican ones, otherwise your tastebuds will be in for a surprise.
I loved their special Horchata with prickly pear and crushed pecans. So refreshing, and such a pretty drink! It makes regular Mexican Horchata pale in comparison.
Service was awesome while we were there. I suggest asking your server for recommendations if you're not sure what to order. You won't find tacos and burritos here.
And btw, if you do end up getting the chapulines and have leftovers, take them to go. You can play an awesome prank on someone at home by putting it in their food. It will freak them out!
A group of friends came here before the Sharks game. We sat at the bar and watched the Yankees/Phillies World Series game.
I ordered a margarita which was excellent. I was feeling the effects. For the App, we ordered calamari and had some Chapulines (grasshoppers) from my friends plate. The calamari was aight and the grasshoppers tasted like seasoned sunflower seeds.
I ordered a Chicken Mole for my main course. It was over-cooked and the sauce did not do anything to it. I was given tortillas, rice, and veggies to wrap it up in.
The server was excellent, she was prompt in getting us another round when our glasses were empty. However at the end of the night, we noticed this wasn't included in the happy hour specials. Overall the food isn't as good as what I read on yelp, but it's a place that I would give a second shot.
Heather , you sound like a bartender for all your comments
and reviews.I think the service is excellent regardless of language, I enjoy the food, atmosphere and good service.
Chapulines.
Crunchy. Tasty little morsels that reminded me of roasted nuts. I nibbled on a spiky leg, and then a bit more, until I had the entire little segmented body in my mouth. Not bad.
What a fantastic space and I'm even more enamored by the fact that my friend knows the owner. That being said, service was definitely personalized and I appreciated the little things that comes associated with the such. Mezcal is a delightful take on modern Spanish nuances and making the patrons right at home either inside or out on the patio (a great open courtyard replete with exotic plants) and the mosaic tables I fell in love with immediately. Right off the busy street, so be prepared for the occasional inebriated dorks walking right past your tables.
For one of the appetizers we did try the Chapulines. Grasshoppers. That's right, you heard it. Life is too short so I was up for the challenge, just had to take the precaution of consuming too much. The last time I was just as adventurous with some tequila shots had me burping "chick" through the rest of the day (my attempt with Balut) so I kept my Pomegranate Mojito down to just one order.
My entree was large: the Estofada, with Chicken. Smothered in their lovely mild Oaxacan Mole, a large tortilla smothered with melted cheese. I've tried their Tlayuda and although the dish is interesting (a quesadilla-like entree with their specialty pork) I'd have to recommend sticking to the other traditional dishes such as the Enchilada and Mole dishes. Much more filling, especially for the money.
For the ladies, I will also have to recommend the Mojitos. They are pretty to finger at the table while looking amused, sweet for the so-inclined, and the perfect way to soothe oneself away from the rigors of a stressful day.
2.5 stars, plus 0.5 for the great decor.
So I had to try the Chapulines (fried grasshoppers) and well, they taste like bugs. They have that iron taste and were not very crispy so it was rather gross.
The mole was delicious and I did like how they let you sample the different varieties with chips. However, when I ordered my entree of quesadillas, it was a few rolled up tortillas smothered in mole with a tiny chicken breast perched on top of it. For $15, it was ripoff.
Although somewhat authentic, it was trying to hard to be upscale, which unfortunately left my belly hungry. And I had an awful stomache-ache for a whole day after eating there, perhaps from eating the nasty chapulines. Would not go back.
So I went last night with the family. Being the only San Jose resident, I was charged with finding our eating establishment for the evening. Having heard a little about Mezcal, including the Chapulines, I thought this would be a good opportunity to try it for myself.
We started with the Table Side Guacamole. Yeah, I'm going to have to agree with earlier reviews and say that (1) there wasn't much of it, and (2) it was very bland. We were grabbing salt shakers and the salsa verde that they gave us with our chips to taste it up a bit.
Next, of course, we tried the Chapulines - grasshoppers. By themselves, they had hints of garlic, but when added to the chips and salsa, they had a bit of an earthiness to them. I can say I did it, but I can't say I'll be ordering them again anytime soon.
My mom and I both had the Mole Negro. The mole sauce was good, though I personally prefer mine a touch on the spicy side. That was not the case here. The chicken in the dish wasn't very good at all. It was dry and bland. I prefer the mole and chicken to compliment each other. Here, I NEEDED the mole sauce to make the chicken taste like anything - in this case, mole sauce. And I needed the sauce to moisten up the chicken just to get it down.
The rice and beans (bland - are you noticing a trend here?) were served family style. Not a problem except for the fact that a single serving was brought out to serve 4 people. To their credit, they said that they would bring out as many "servings" as we needed. It just became a little inconvenient asking for more rice and beans every five minutes.
I appreciate the hand made corn tortillas, but again, I think thy missed a little on this one. They were a little chewy for me. Typically, I'm looking for them to be a bit softer.
Pop and I both had a "Mezcalrita" ( I know, I know, but when in Rome...) which was pretty good, but mom's mojito was REALLY sweet - she didn't like it. If your a sweet drink person, try that.
I'm glad I went and got this out of my system, but unless I'm looking to get my grasshopper on, I don't see myself going back.
Bland.
One star for the food. I'm only giving the second star for our server, Viridiana. She was really friendly, patient, attentive, and helpful.
I did not really enjoy the food there, but it was because of my preference of tastes.
A lot of their sauces have a sweet flavor, and I'm not big on my dinner tasting sweet...so I couldn't really enjoy it. I had the Chile rellenos which were OK.
What we were really proud of was their service. They were VERY attentive and never forgot about us even though we sat in the corner away from everyone else. There was even an altercation literally outside the window of where we were sitting, and the manager went outside to clear it up, called the cops, and came back to us and apologized to us.
I can't recall all of the good customer services because we went a while ago, but they were great.
Just not so much on the food for me.
Holy Mole!
OK I had to say that. Everything you think you know about Mexican food is wrong, and so you have to go to Southern Mexico. Oaxaca to be exact. Or you can go to the elegant Mezcal with their unusual metal menus.
I can't tell you what the name of the drink was that I had, but it was like a tequila sunrise, except different. The thing was the chili salt. It was like the barbecue scraped off of bbq pigskins. Made it very interesting and satisfying.
I like the first mole, which ironcially, I can't remember. But not the ones with chocolate - the black or the red. Anyway, that first mole with the pork was perfect.
A sample of very different Mexican flavors, worth more experiments.
The location was great, right in the middle of the downtown bars and restaurants.
The atmosphere was nice, the waitress was friendly.
The Chapulines were fun, and the Mezcalritta was delicious.
The food was the only downside to this restaurant.
$15 for 1 chicken breast.
Yes, $15 for 1 breast.
It was served on a huge plate covered in mole sauce. I hoped the sauce would be deli sh.. but no. Boring and even though the ingredient list went on and on with the spices I think they forgot pepper. The chicken was dry. It was so plain I did not even finish it, my husband took a few bites and didn't want to finish it either. (That says alto, my man looooves chicken.)
$6 for 3 Vienna sausage sized chorizo bits.
I thought they would burst with flavor considering the cost vs portion again I was disappointed. What came out was an ill consistency of paste in a weird nude color. Maybe it was Vienna sausage! :)
Last thing..what the heck is with serving rice and beans in olive plates?
Last time I have seen these type of platters with 3 areas for appetizers was at a party that had olives and nuts in them. It is TOTALLY OBNOXIOUS! Fist off, the portions are about 4 teaspoons of each, and that is to share. I guess you are supposed to scope some on your plate, but the platter is so small it is hard to get a spoonful with the utensils provided. (um, why not buy the serving spoon that came with it?) OK, you can have more, but why would you want to have to ask? Isn't ordering the meal cause to serve a decent portion of rise and beans?
So managing the super large plate with nothing on it and the super small and ill shaped rice and bean TROUGH left me frustrated.
To bad, my husband and I regularly dine downtown. We will not be going back.
Oh YEAH.. both my husband and I are suffering from severe stomach problems. GGggggRrrrrrrrrr!
Head over to GB's for about the same price you can actually get a great meal.
$15 for 1 chicken breast.
Yes, $15 for 1 breast.
It was served on a huge plate covered in mole sauce.…
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We had dinner over the Labor Day week-end at Mezcal - our second visit - and found the food to be outstanding...to say the least. Typical Oaxacan fare well prepared and served by an outstanding waitress. The flavors were varied and perfect and the menu selection excellent.
My wife had the chili rellenos and I had the dark mole emoladas. Both excellent with sides of rice, black beans and pickled veggies.
The complimentary fried grasshoppers will not become a favorite, but an interesting flavor.
As an occasional visitor to Oaxaca (Puerto Angel and Huatulco), I especially appreciate this fine restaurant.
We will definitely be back - and soon.
I've been there twice now. The first time I went was for happy hour. The Mezcalrita was delish and so was the quesadilla appetizer. I went to dinner there a couple of weeks later with some friends. We had the sampler platter as an appetizer and mezcalritas. Again very good.
Since this is a Oaxacan restaurant I ordered the chile colorado enmoladas with tasajo. It was delicious! The red mole was really flavorful and had a little kick and the meat was really good too.
Some folks here have complained about the portions, but I think the portions are just right.
I will definitely go back!
Horrible place. 2 stars..
1 star =music is good
1 star =free to get in
The bartender is rude and pours weak drinks for outrageous prices.. $7.50 for a weak ass malibu and diet? I can go two blocks west to caravan, listen to live music and pay 5 bucks for a strong tasty malicoke...
Stopped in at Mezcal for lunch today with my gf. I wasn't sure what to expect, but they had a nice outdoor seating area which they share with a neighboring restaurant called Billy Berks. Upon seating us, the waitress told us that this was Oaxacan cuisine and not the typical Mexican cuisine which would consist of burritos and tacos and then brought out some different moles for us to try before we ordered. This was a nice touch since it gave us a chance to see what flavors would sit well with us.
Overall, I enjoyed all three of the moles they let us try. I ended up going with the middle of the road mole which wasn't as dark as their black mole sauce. The food was pretty tasty for the most part, but I do feel that their portions were not all that great given the fact that my lunch entree was $15 for a chicken based dish. I might try this place again if I'm in the area, but it would be nice to be full after having lunch somewhere.
After having stopped by here once, I'm kinda curious to see what Billy Berk's has to offer.
I still remember when my co-worker Nam. N came in and said she had gone to Mezcal for dinner and even had the Chapulines (grasshoppers) so.. I figured I had to go and try this place, not so sure about the chapulines yet.
First of all the decor is very nice. It reminds me of the state of Guanajuato in Mexico, the stair case and the plants... very cute and Mexican looking!
The service was great. We were constantly asked if we were fine. Funny enough the other three people that were with me ordered enchiladas...now being Mexican I know that some things are made in different ways in different part of Mexico. And...this was the case... the enchiladas we ordered were very different from your typical chicken wrapped in a tortilla, dipped in sauce and topped with cheese. These were three tortillas folded in half and a piece of chicken and a mole sauce over it. The sauce was pretty good, a sweet and yet spicy taste to it. It was about average, maybe a little over for an enchilada dish.
I would go back and try other dishes and before I have some chapulines I think I would have to have a few Don Julio drinks to make sure I am brave enough!!!!
Mezcal is a wonderful restaurant:
1. Food is very authentic... tell me about it! I lived in Oaxaca when I was a child and the flavors reminded me when I was a kid.
2. Service is wonderful... and we couldn't ask for more after talking with the person behind the kitchen. One of those nights that you don't want it to end.
3. A beautiful family and story behind this place.
Congratulations! and all the success... please keep the flavors and don't change it!!
So after reading a bomb ass review of Mezcal in the Metro I was hyped up enough to finally try it.
So, did it really impress me?
No
Did it live up to the phenomenal review?
Heyckk no!
Will I return EVER again?
Not in my lifetime.
I was shocked how flavorless everything tasted. I love authentic Mexican food and this place just really lacked any flavor. We ordered guacamole. How hard is it to make guacamole?!!! First off, they use Serrano peppers instead of jalapeño peppers so even though we loaded it up with peppers the guacamole had very little kick to it. Very disappointing. Then I had to ask for extra lime, peppers, and diced tomatoes to add to the guac. IT TOOK us 10 minutes to FIX the $8 homemade guacamole. Plus, they only used 2 avocados to make the whole guacamole.. I could have made this better and double the portion for less than $6.
The enfrijoladas was another disappointment. The black bean sauce was flavorless-- they should have chosen another sauce to compliment that entree. The pork was decently marinated but nothing I couldn't buy at my local Mexican market. The homemade tortillas it came with were extremely greasy. The queso oaxaca cheese was the only thing that tasted authentic but then again I can buy that at any local store.
The Chile rellenos were definitely the worst I've ever had next to El burro's chile rellenos. At first sight I could tell I was not going to like them. They were filled with the queso oaxaca cheese which is not a good cheese to stuff anything with. Second, The batter was too dry and it was not topped off with any sauce! Usually chile rellenos come with Enchilada sauce. This place serves them completely dry. I was devastated. I wish I could throw up this entree but I can't because I have a strong stomach.
For our first time to be unfailingly disappointing from every food item that we ordered I will most definitely not return. I have eaten some of the best home made Mexican food in my lifetime so to dine here was a brutal punch to the stomach.
1 star is for the nice server and good salsa that filled me up the whole dinner. Our server was so spunky and nice but the food was so bland! Even the sides of beans and rice were cold and under cooked.
Sob.. I'm Celiac.. gluten-intolerant .. and their mole contains a small bit of wheat flour and thus is not gluten-free.. so none of their mole for me! though my wife, my son, and god son all seemed to be having a good time with it.
What I *did* find memorable were their black beans, served with the consistency of a creamy sauce, and their hand-made corn tortillas (corn flour is OK!) with a softness and a texture I had never experienced in a corn tortilla before. The chef was very helpful.. was familiar with Celiac dietary requirements and was able to direct me to the menu items I could eat and away from the items that might give me trouble.. (he knew enough to direct me *away* from the tortilla chips that were made of corn BUT had been fried in fryers that were also used for wheat-flour breaded shrimp.. so big points to him for attentiveness).. Still even without the mole dishes a lot of plates remained for me to select from. I eventually selected.. uhm.. oh crap.. I forget the name.. I think it was an "enchaladija" or somethin' like that.. with chicken and swimming in black bean sauce.. .. good!!! whatever it was..
Oh.. the fried grasshoppers are gluten-free! I mean I think they are.. I forgot to ask.. but I had a few handfuls of them with no ill-effects..
Anything else?? Oh.. Tuesday night.. there was a house band playing (and of course, I forgot *their* name also) .. but like the restaurant itself.. not just the same ol' same ol' band you could type-cast.. the lead singer was wearing one of those leather Mexican pro-wrestler masks.. and they were doing some edgy versions of Santanna songs.. and .. they were daring to do what did not exactly sound like dining music.. gotta make my way back there again on my own..
That night I was taking my wife out for her birthday.. The place was a hit with her..
I had to call my dad in Mexico when I heard they had Chapulines here! I was one of those "fortunate" children that had parents who ate EVERYTHING and made us try it. Yes, I've eaten insects!
Tonight was one of those "let's go on a mission" nights. We hopped in the car and went for drinks and apps. The Donji cocktail is amazing!
We had Chapulines, Memelitas and Molotes. You must try them with mole on top. Having recently traveled in Southern Mexico, I've been inspired by the cuisine. Mezcal hits the mark! I must remind myself that chefs must cater to all spice thresholds so I won't ding them on the mildness of the salsas/moles.
I am so proud of DT SJ. It's certainly grown up in recent years. Mezcal is the perfect addition to the assortment of new restaurants opening up for business. The ambiance is garden like and the live band keeps your spirits high!
The food here is amazing really authentic not full of chesse and sour cream to take away from the natural flavors. Soooo Good come check it out and keep latino businesses in business
Yes, baby momma ate grasshoppers......and yes they were good. I mean really I have no sliding scale of grasshopper feasts to compare them to....
Honestly tho - great little restaurant with a charming patio that is shared by Billy Berks. There was a band playing outside which made it a little loud inside and hard to hear our super friendly waitress....
We started out with the grasshoppers and calamari. I was surprised, the hops were good. Im not kidding you. Im glad they were not huge tho - just a bowl full of little fried guys that tasted more like smoke, lime and salt than anything else. The calamari was also delicious, fabulous flavor and nice crust.
I thought I had my heart set on the traditional negro mole for dinner and then the server brought out the chips and mole sampler dish. The negro mole was a little burned tasting (Im trying to find a website for spelling and they dont have one, crap) I really like the first one that was offered - sweeter and well balanced.
So I went with the mole plate (frist one on the menu) and ordered it with the thinly sliced and salted beef. The plate came out with three rolled tortillas topped with Oaxacan cheese, mole and the giant slab of beef on top. Your dinner comes with a communal (but small) dish of rice, beans and marinated veggies. I didn't even try them - out of me being stuffed, but they looked tasty.
Anyhow, the food was authentic and homemade. Nothing was prefab wannabe Mexican food - if you want "California TexMex" BS then go to Chevys or Taco Bell or anywhere else that claims to be Mexican. If you want to try some "real deal this is what they eat in Oaxaca" then go here. NIce bar, great tequila selection and my entree with a giant slab of beef was $12! Not bad and I was pleased - I will be back to sample some more hops and gross my husband out!
Mmm... mezcal. This is a very pretty restaurant, their patio is a nice spot for a dinner date or lunch with friends. The food is very delicious! I have tried and enjoyed their calamari, different moles, and enchilada. I recently coordinated the hosting of a happy hour event for the Silicon Valley Ad Club and people had a wonderful time with drinks and appetizers in the patio area. They were very accommodating, saving half the patio for our group. The happy hour specials are decent including appetizers for $5, mezcalarita for $5 (which I hear is very spicy!), and other specials on beers and wine. During the event, I saw a few people enjoy themselves some fried grasshopper which I was a little too timid to try. Overall, it's a great atmosphere for groups, parties, or a date. Enjoy!
This was the First time I had ever tried Oaxacan Cuisine. I assumed it was a regular Mexican establishment but when the waiter came by, he thoroughly explained that the restaurant was based off of Oaxacan style dishes. Their Signature Mole is Delicious!! They give you three different types of Mole with chips when you arrive. And that allows you to choose which kinds you want with your Entree.
They're Chili Rellenos are one of their signature dishes and a girlfriend of mine loved it. And yes, it's true they have fried Grasshoppers-- I couldn't bring myself to actually eat the grasshopper but everyone I went with said they weren't bad. I personally just couldn't fathom having bugs on the table.. it made me itchy LOL.
The food is good, the atmosphere is is very welcoming and I wouldn't mind coming back! I want to try their La Cucaracha Shot ;)
I think this place is more worthwhile during happy hour for one thing...there blended pomegranate margarita. It was truly the best margarita I have had to date not overpowering or too salty, just real refreshing. Sadly this particular drink is not one of the discounted ones. They do have other similar drinks and some appetizers for a special happy hour price though.
I did appreciate the table side guacamole although the guacamole itself wasn't anything special. I thought it was a bit strange I had to request limes to be put in it. Isn't lime a staple to guacamole? Personally I think I make better Guac.
Came here for dinner not as long ago. The menu was really confusing, basically the first 5 things under the entrees are the same dishes with different moles but the names made it so complicating. I ended up ordering a chicken tamale instead. The dish was just ok, I felt the tamale was too frail there was hardly any tamale so to speak. The dishes came with free chips and different moles or sauces not sure on what they were. It also came with sides that my gf and I didn't even touch.
The atmosphere is great though, beats sitting inside Gordon Biersh breathing brewing fumes that smell like the fishy beach.
Great mole selection, awesome food, though the vegetarian options are a bit dull and lacking in flavor. My friends who eat meat seem to like their dishes a bit more. They make some wicked mojitos too. And the black bean sauce is to die for...so be sure to check that out. Yum! Service is a it slow, and it takes some time to get your check--that's the only reason it isn't 5 stars.
After reading the 1 and 5 star reviews, I had to experience Mezcal and come to my own conclusion. Our waitress was perky and her service was excellent.
Your meal comes with a small sampler of chips and moles.
We started with the grasshoppers. They were smaller and saltier than I thought. I have never had it before therefore I cannot reference it as good or bad. I would eat it again.
The sampler appetizers was good but I could have passed on it because it was filling.
The waitress took/gave a bit of time between finishing our appetizers and taking our entree orders. I do not know if she was so busy or standard practice. It was adequate time to digest our appetizers.
I had the Cecina Enmoladas. It was tasty. I would have enjoyed more of it if I did not have the sampler. My girlfriend had the Chorizo Tlayuda. That was MIGHTY tasty and the portions was big.
Nine dollars a cocktail. Hmmm, I had one, not worth $9, more on the $7 end.
Overall, a good place to to for a nice casual night out.
This place is hopping. Nope, that is not referring to the chapulines, which are quite good.
If you are not familiar with comida Oaxacaño, this will not be tacos, burritos or stuff slathered with enchilada sauce. The flavors will be more sophisticated. They start by a presentation of 3 moles, estofado
coloradito, & mole negro with chips. Each of the moles are different and you may find a favorite. But then all may be your favorite depending on what it is served with. Any of the dishes will be good. The tlayuda is very good and certainly reminded me of my last trip to Oaxaca.
Be prepared though, the vibe changes dramatically at around 9PM to a hip spot for the 25-35 year old professional crowd. That includes very loud music with a heavy back beat and becomes very crowded.
Adolfo runs a great shop ably assisted by his family.
Try it!
I have been wanting to check this out for awhile. Thankfully, "Dine About Town" finally drew us out even though we didn't take advantage of the offer.
I felt a little strange sitting in the giant booths, that holds 6, when there were only the 2 of us but the waitress was attentive and the atmosphere relaxing.
So, I had to order the grasshoppers. Knowing they don't have much flavor didn't matter for the "eww" factor they bestow and I wanted. I was disappointed though. The waitress said they hadn't had them for a couple of months now. Soon, their supplier would have ones that were large enough to serve.
I didn't mind the limited selections, it makes things easier which was necessary since there is a key provided to decipher the menu.
The presentation of the food was a little bit over the top. Just bring out my order of rice and beans please. It was obvious the ingredients were fresh and the chicken was perfectly cooked, the pork wasn't so bad either. If I had to choose, the mole negro was my favorite, although I doubt I'll be going back for dinner. All three of the mole sauces tasted too much like a base of Campbell's Tomato Soup.
The drinks on the other hand were another story. Mezcalitas on the patio next time! Plus, only $5 during happy hour!
I was glad we didn't do the "Dine About Town" deal which included dessert. They only encompassed flan, sorbet and rice pudding. It was good to get out of the house for the evening though and the live music was a pleasant addition.
I went here with a few girlfriends on a Wednesday night. The place was actually pretty packed. I like how they have outdoor seating with live music playing.
This is not your typical Mexican restaurant. The waiter will explain that their food is not from Northern, Central Mexico, but more from South Mexico (i.e. Oaxaca). So no tacos, chimicangas, Tex mex or anything of that sort. So if you're willing to try something new, come here.
The prices were decent. Most dishes were about 10-12 bucks.
Yes, I did have the grasshoppers, and they were not disgusting at all! I have a tolerable stomach and am open to new things, so that is why I chose to get the grasshopper dish.
I had the enchiladas with tasajo (thinly sliced beef). It was pretty good.
I like the atmosphere. It's new and modern, and I could tell they're trying to expand Mexican culture by bringing in different dishes. Service was pretty good but tended to be a bit slow. Friendly staff however. Booths are good. They seat 6 people instead of 4!
I wish I could have more to say but that won't be until next time!
I recently tried Mezcal for a big birthday dinner. I was curious to try Oaxican style Mexican food, and didn't know what to expect.
When your chips arrive, they serve them with three types of mole dipping sauces. Almost all dinner items come with tortillas, meat, cheese and whichever sauce you choose. The first was called estofado, it was red and sweet. The middle was coloradito which was red and smoky. The third was negro, dark and smoky. I preferred the estofado, and chose my meal with chicken and the sweetest of the sauces.
Estofado was super good. Price was right. I did chicken out when it came to the grasshoppers. I guess I'm a little conservative when it comes to my pallet.
Skimpy, chintzy portions but really delicious! The mole is so-so (family's from Puebla, so I know my moles!!) but palatable. Great drinks too. Tell 'em I sent ya. Be sure to try the CHAPULINES! Always a must for me whenever I visit! Southern style mexican food is the best! Healthier... the only thing I would advise against is the tamales... even though they are authentically made in hojas, the actual tamal is a thin rectangular block of manteca... they really over do it with this one, so heads up!
Now if only we could get the owner to incorporate some gusanos de maguey and serpiente de cascabel...
finally i am met with something too disgusting for even me to eat, mezcal offered up my own little "bizarre foods with andrew zimmerman" and they had me beat fair and square. i have an actual bug phobia and they serve fried grasshoppers. i am such a freak that i was actually a little freaked out to eat here because YOU KNOW those things go in the same fryer as everything else, and momma ain't able to hit the sauce quite yet to help dismiss that lovely picture from her mind... i can't even handle butterflies much less freaking GRASSHOPPERS. shudder...
anyway, the food is actually pretty good sans grasshoppers, and they let you sample all three available mole sauces to help you make a decision. this is helpful, because the menu is a little hard to follow. the quesadilla appetizer was tiny and great, perfect start to a hearty meal. i honestly cannot remember exactly what i ordered, it had the coloradito mole sauce on it- which was tasty and a slab of thinly sliced skirt steak that was over cooked and on the tough side, but still pretty good. i loved, loved, loved the space and the interior design and the fact they thought about lots of little details down to serving ware and what kind of bottle the water for your table should be served out of. this is a rare occurrence in san jose- nicely done mezcal!
it was a thursday night so by 9:00 they had some horribly loud house music blaring, although i'm not sure why- no one was dancing and it seemed the tables were filled with people who were actually trying to have conversations over it. i will say we were warned by the hostess that that would occur- so i won't fault them, just be aware it might not be a cozy date night destination on the weekends.
i think 3.5 stars is actually pretty right on. the food is good, but not awesome and the space is very pretty- i'll round up to four because the service was great.
This was a great find by my friend who works nearby. We lunched here today for my birthday (I celebrated for 4 days by the way!)
One of my friends wanted to try the grasshoppers. We competed with each other to keep eating them and we finished the whole bowl. Actually not bad; but that isn't what made the place so good.
To start with, the waiter was amazing. He was so friendly and very informative. The selection of mole sauces was so good. I had the enmoladas with tasajo. It was very delicious. My friends all liked their meals as well. This is a great place for people that love mole sauce as much as I do.
This place is a great place to get a little history and culture along with your food! My boyfriend and I had a wonderful time learning from the friendly servers about Oaxacan food. They introduced us to what they pride themselves most on - the mole sauces and the freshness of every dish. Although their menu has about 8-10 choices under each section, they all looked very interesting to eat! A sure-fire way to get you coming back for more.
Also, they told us about the different tequilas they have, which was a nice conversation piece, as well at the table. The ambiance was nice and cozy. You can eat inside or outside; the patio area is lovely and on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays they have live music.
Service was excellent and the waiters even brought me a menu of Mexico and pointed out nice places to visit. He was very nice and went out of his way to tell me more info after I requested, even when it was starting to get busy. (my boyfriend also wants to mention how they have a nice flat screen tv where you can watch the games)
I am definitely going back!
I'd recommend this place for people who have an open mind and don't just think of Mexican cuisine as Taco Bell and Chevy's. This place is authentic and makes you want to discover more about indigenous food.
I really didn't know about Oaxacan style food, but I knew there was more to Mexican cuisine than refried beans topped with cheddar cheese.
This place really knows how to make flavor pop. The fact that they bring out 3 different mole's to try before your order already gave them a gold star in my book! The food, great...the drinks, killer...and the customer service was top notch!
One thing I really wasn't impressed with was the Queso Oaxaca. One of my best friends recently went to Oaxaca for a wedding, and made a huge stink about this cheese called Queso Oaxaca. After trying it, I came to the conclusion that it tastes like the "Precious" brand string chesse from Costco. Nothing spectacular. But I do happen to like sting cheese alot!
All in all, a great meal, and even better experience!
Mezcal is kind of important--you need to go here and try this food.
Mezcal is a labor of love by the owners. Sure compared to a typical Mexican restaurant the menu is limited. But I think that's because the owners are trying to give you the food that they truly love and want you to try. When you sit down at your table and the waiter sets three different types of mole in front of you to taste, you will think 'I have never had a restaurant do this before.' Why are they doing this? I think it is because you are about to taste three flavors you have never tasted before in your life. How are you supposed to choose between three things you have never tasted, without tasting them? I think this is brilliant...rather than trying to explain with words the difference between Coloradito Mole and Negro Mole, here you go, taste them yourself and see what you like!
Brilliant.
Drinks...most Mexican restaurants ask you 'salt or no salt' with your Margarita. Tonight was asked, chili powder or no? They had a mixture of salt and chili powder on the rim of my cocktail! The drink was sweet if I drank through the straw...the drink had a bite if I sipped from the glass. When have you had that?
So here is the thing...yes, Mezcal has a quirky menu. You don't get to order a #3 taco-enchilada-relleno combination. What you DO have a chance to do is get a great drink and a great meal and taste something you have never had before, something that tastes great.
And you are helping some people pursue a dream of giving you the gift of food that they obviously love.
After I saw a small dish of grasshoppers show up on my coworker's Facebook photo album, I knew I had to try this place out. I definitely wasn't disappointed! The food here is definitely all about the sauces - thick and rich mixtures with all sorts of complex flavors - but the meats that they were served with were cooked well too. The portions were a little small, but the quality of the food made up for it so I'm willing to give that a pass.
The dining atmosphere was also very relaxed and casual, and managed to be upscale without feeling stuffy.
The grasshoppers weren't too bad, to be perfectly honest. Icky-factor aside, it's really no different than eating those Chinese dried fish snacks, so if you can handle those, you'd definitely be able to handle those grasshoppers.
We also found out that one of our coworkers' names featured prominently in the menu (the spanish word for "dough", haw!), so of course we teased him mercilessly for a solid hour. On his birthday, no less! Good times. Happy birthday, Masa!
Meh.
The food was decent, and certainly different from traditional mexican fare, but it was all the same -- some kind of meat or veggie wrapped in a tortilla-esque package and then doused in sauce (usually mole). Aside from the green cilantro/guacamole sauce which I found way too spicey for my taste, the food was quite bland and heavy. The appetizer "sampler" is a good way to get a taste of this cuisine if you're curious, but the rest of the menu is essentially the same idea.
Different for my taste, for sure. I don't typically munch on fried grasshoppers. I've never even tried escargot. But there I was, popping fried grasshoppers into my mouth like they were Fritos. The novelty wore off as I realized they really didn't have any particular taste--just salty, fried crunchy crunches.
As for the rest of the menu, it was decent. I've never really dabbled in traditional Oaxacan cuisine, either, so lack any reference for comparison.
I had the chile rellenos, which were surprisingly small. I liked the light batter in which they were fried, though. Oddly, they were not served with any of the three moles that Mezcal boasts, but only with a heaping side of rather mundane guacamole (is that a 'mole'?).
The drinks were rather large, but all agreed that they seemed to lack a proper proportion of alcohol. My margarita was little more than a very sour slush.
All in all, though, this wasn't a bad experience in the least. The service for our group of six was excellent. I'm not sure I'd go back for the food, but I'm certainly intrigued.
San Jose, CA
Category: American (New)
San Jose, CA
Category: Mexican
San Jose, CA
Category: Latin American
San Jose, CA
Category: Delis
San Jose, CA
Category: American (Traditional)
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