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What a fabulous place to celebrate a birthday! We were in the area to see a show at the Segerstrom theatre and Vaca is literally a 4 minute walk away. Which worked out for us since we were able to use the restaurants valet service and leave our car there until after the show. As soon as we walked in, I was in awe of how cool the place looked! The bar located near the front door was very inviting and definitely made me want to go back just to sit there for a couple of cocktails. Speaking of cocktails, their signature, The Vaca Tonic was my favorite cocktail that I tried. It's refreshing, pretty and definitely had me ordering a second one. They have a variety of spirits to choose from, but the Gin cocktails were definitely my favorite. For dinner, my husband and I choose the Tapas route and order a few plates to share. The Carpaccio, Gambas Al Ajillo(sautéed shrimp) and the La Bola(upscale version of potato balls) were my favorite dishes. This isn't to say that our other plates weren't delicious, I'm just saying these plates left me wanting more. Last but not least, we ended the night with a slice of their Basque Cheesecake, and oh my goodness, this had to be hands down, one of the best cheesecakes I've ever had. I was so full, but there was no way we were leaving any piece of the cheesecake uneaten. Now, this restaurant is more on the pricey side. But, I would 100% recommend to try once or make it a priority to check out when you have a special occasion to celebrate!
Great restaurant to come with group to try all their tapas and shareable appetizers!! My favorite tapas were the grilled octopus (so flavorful), seared scallops (came with a zesty and creamy sauce), and corn. All the dishes were very flavorful! I also loved the seafood paella, they're very generous with the meats/seafood in the paella. They accommodate larger groups on their outside patio so it was great for a celebration. Service was also great. Parking is either valet for $15 or parking across the street at their parking garage (can validate at restaurant).
I have been a big fan of Amar's for years and have been to Broadway in Laguna Beach a couple of times. I've always wanted to try VACA in Costa Mesa and last night was the night. We took advantage of the Friends and Family menu they provide on Mondays Only from 5:00 to closing. We sat at the beautiful bar and were watched over by Jacob. The wife had some special non-alcoholic drink that was very pretty and tasted great. I went with the VACA Tonic, an icy concoction made with gin. It was super refreshing and a nice way to start. This menu has selected tapas items that range in price from $8 to $19. We ordered the Pan Con Tomate ($8) which comes with sliced toasted bread slices, tomato pulp, a delicious olive oil and a side of sea salt. You take a piece of toast, squirt some of the olive oil on top, then pour on the tomato pulp. Light, tasty and delicious. Next up, the Patatas Bravas ($9). Perfectly roasted spicy potato cubes, slathered with tomato sauce and a garlic aioli. WOW! So simple yet so good. I licked the plate clean. Next up, the Bikini Sandwich ($9). Two small perfectly toasted cheesy sandwich wedges that have Iberico ham, manchego cheese and a hint of truffles. It was really delicious and the special ham was the star of the show. These are great starting items, yet surprisingly filling. I couldn't stop there though and wanted to order some of their famous paella. I decided on the Paella De Carne ($53). This is a meat paella with pork belly, chorizo, blood sausage, duck confit (a leg & thigh), beef cheek, with bomba rice and a garlic aioli. You have to wait about 20 minutes for them to make it but it's worth the wait. It was perfectly cooked and awash in flavor. The special paella pan they prepare the dish in looked well seasoned and I wished I could have taken it home. The menu is extensive with lots of choices to accommodate any palate. The restaurant is beautiful and has a front and back patio seating. If you have a choice, sit on the back patio. There is valet parking for $12, but there is a parking structure right across the street that provides easy access and is free with validation.
Splurge restaurant but food is very solid! My husband and I came here for date night and had a great experience~ Vaca is located next to south coast, interior has tall ceilings and have a small indoor and outdoor seating. They have Spanish menu items, several tapas and main dishes. We got 4 wines and both loved with whites and reds! La bola (8.5/10)-the meat inside was delicious wasn't overly crispy, sauce on top was too much but a classed dish Pani puri (9/10)-interesting concept scallop was delicious and sauce was rich, shell was crispy Cauliflower (7/10)-bit too salty and rich but they give you a good portion Steak (7.5/10)-we asked for medium but it was more in medium rare, good quality but small for price Churro (9/10)-cant beat a piping hot churro with chocolate sauce portion not too large Our server was friendly and vibe was classy Would love to try the paella my next visit!
great service and food was great! i loved the la bola and patatas bravas most but everything else was also very good as well! portions were filling despite it being small, staff were prompt and very nice restaurant was a little warm inside but nice ambiance and good vibes
I really wanted to like this place but not sure if I would go back... The tapas were average at most. No richness of spices and overall pretty simple. The paella was too salty and had no crunch to it. Very inflated prices. Service was not very attentive. I literally left hungry and got In n Out after.
I was so excited to finally dine at Vaca -- it's been on my list for so long. The ambience is cozy with a date‑night feel, and the service was friendly and attentive. Our food also came out fairly quickly, which I appreciated. I started with the Vaca Tonic which was delicious. For food, the standout was the La Bola -- a crispy potato ball with flavorful ground meat inside. I'd come back just for that. The scallops, however, were just okay. They were very small for "sea" or "diver" scallops, and the menu didn't specify what kind they were. The sauce was fine but nothing memorable. I was most excited for the wagyu oyster cut steak and ordered it medium, but it arrived more rare than expected and was surprisingly chewy rather than tender. Overall, the experience didn't quite live up to the hype for me. I love tapas, but this spot fell short.
Vaca is a Spanish tapas style restaurant with great meat and cocktails. Some of my meal highlights was the bikini sandwich and the night's special, which was a perfectly cut piece of steak. I was disappointed in the patatas bravas, however, which I felt lacked much flavor. The cocktails were exceptional. I enjoyed a classic dirty martini, their specialty vaca tonic (A+ cocktail), and had their non-alcoholic drink called Starry Night (very delicious, but not worth $16). The setting is quite breath-taking, with the restaurant decorated with elaborate cuts of meat and wine bottles. The lighting is very warm-toned and elegant. Overall, we had a delicious meal and cocktails before heading to the Segerstrom (just a quick walk away). The service was excellent and the meal great, but I think the whole experience was heavily overpriced for what you get.
Had a friend in town so we decided to check out Vaca. I had heard great things so really wanted to love this place, but it was a bit short of my expectations given the prices. First off, my friends had sat at the bar for a good 20 min before the bartender finally acknowledged them and took our drink order. Even then she was not very nice and totally made other patrons orders who had sat down after us before even trying to deliver our drinks to us. Once the drinks were delivered, they were pretty much slammed onto the bar counter rather than being delivered with care. Yikes. I had asked for a bar napkin because the rim was sticky and she completely ignored me. So rude. Our reservation on a Friday night with a show happening at Segerstrom was at 7:45pm which means the show crowd should have already left by this point. We easily didn't get seated until 8:15-8:20pm for a 7:45pm reservation because our table was lingering. Seems like poor table management on the restaurant's part to be that far behind schedule. Once we sat down, we did our best to order right away as we were starving and was pretty sure it would take awhile for the food to come out. Our server greeted us within a few min of sitting down and since we were ready to order by the time she showed up, we ordered everything from appetizers to full meal. Started with the croquetas and gambas. Both were good but honestly I've had better. The sauce for the gambas felt like the ratio of the sherry was a bit much and not enough spice. Ended up with the Paella Valenciana which was okay, but the flavors felt kind of bland and the scallops and shrimp inside seemed like they could have been cooked more thoroughly. I believe we got the 12oz New York Steak to share, and it felt the meat itself was super tender but lacked a bit of flavor for my liking. We wanted the broccolini but they ran out so ended up with the Brussel sprouts instead which were very good. Overall the ambiance inside the restaurant is a bit tight and chaotic for my liking. I definitely like the bar area better than the tables which were very close together, so may have to try dining at the bar next time.
This is the third time coming here and I've loved it every time. The service is usually amazing, food doesn't take 30-40 minutes, and drinks come usually fairly quickly. This time around the service was not great, drinks too forger, and the waiter seemed too busy with other tables. Forgetting our orders and forgetting we were there. We were also celebrating something special and the waiter didn't bother to acknowledge it despite the hostess's asking if we were celebrating something special. This time around our experience was okay, definitely not the vaca we know. I do however recommend their chicken croquettas
Ok! Well Vaca is a great spot and I would come back here again anytime. The fried calamari is memorable because it's not supposed to taste like that but honestly it's a hellof a great dining experience.
Outstanding Spanish food in a beautiful, contemporary setting. Right next to the Segestrom Center, this restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating. Service is friendly and efficient and the food was excellent. We had a reservation but we still had a 15 minute wait, as they were swamped on a Saturday evening. However it became quieter after 7:30 pm. Their corkage ($40) is steep, but they have a decent wine selection and great cocktails. We ordered a bottle of Tempranillo ($60), which was very good. Menu is expansive. We had 4-5 tapas and a paella. The Pan con Tomato, the meatballs, the chicken croquettes and the Patatas Bravas were excellent. The Valencia paella was to die for. Definitely consider going here or to their sister location in LA. Great for date night. Parking in the lot across the street is validated, otherwise valet parking is $12.
This is easily one of the premier destinations for authentic paella in the United States. I highly recommend the seafood paella, though the Spanish octopus and seared scallops are equally exceptional. Whatever you do, do not skip the Basque cheesecake; it is truly the finest I have ever had. The patio offers a remarkably cozy and romantic atmosphere, perfect for a special evening. While the service is attentive and professional, please keep in mind that the paella is prepared to order and requires a bit of patience--it is well worth the wait.
A visit to celebrate a birthday. They will seat you as soon as the entire party arrives. No problem! We'll wait at the bar and start with an Apertivo! That was a fortuitous decision. While we were perusing the cocktails menu, the bartender was busy mixing up a carajillo. I'll take me of those! Ooh, a new favorite! The wait staff were friendly and knowledgeable. The bar staff were also helpful and friendly. My favorites of the meal were: Pan con tomate. Deconstructed. I was apprehensive when I first saw this places in our table. Pan con tomate is always a must order for me at a Spanish resto. My apprehension quickly turned to glee! Love this deconstructed version! I would've been happy just eating this and the jamon iberico! Jamon Iberico de belota. So good! The jamon is carved tableside. I could've eaten the whole plate on my own but I had to share! We also ordered paella and steak. Those were good, too. However, they did not stand out in my mind and palate the way the pan con tomate and the jamon iberico did! Enjoy! read more
1 year ago
Another great experience at my favorite restaurant! Kat was an amazing server with great recommendations. They also gave us a complimentary almond cake to celebrate our anniversary. I love this place! read more
Starting off the service is to die for. It was very professional and courteous that really allowed us to enjoy a nice weekend dinner out. They were very helpful in explaining the various options and allowed us to really have an awesome time. Our table got seated outside, it was pretty chilly though even with the outdoor heaters on so I would say for dinner try and get an inside table. The whole place was kept very clean and tidy as well. Moving onto the food. It's great and is pretty tasty. I definitely would say this place is try once and never come back though because even though I understand it's a more bougie kind of establishment, I feel as if there are better places. The food was great though, but as expected the portions are small yet expensive. I would recommend if you want to try this certain cuisine but otherwise, be ready to leave not full. Also they do have an additional 3% surcharge that you can ask to get removed. Strange how they can't just pay their workers more instead of adding a surcharge. I really dislike surcharges so this was kind of a strike for me as well. read more
6 months ago
1 year ago
We came to Vaca for date night, and overall it was a great experience. Food Rundown: * Albacora Tataki - 10/10 Absolutely incredible. The flavor was fresh, balanced, and the ponzu + sesame combo was so good. Hands down the best dish of the night. * Panza De Cerdo (Pork Belly) - 9/10 Super tender and rich, with a nice crisp on the outside. The strawberry pairing was unexpected but worked so well. Sweet and savory done right. * Broccolini a la Parilla - 8/10 Surprisingly flavorful. Loved the touch of cheese, the pickled shallots, and the pine nuts. A solid veggie option that didn't feel like filler. * Rabo de Toro (Oxtail) - 7/10 Good texture and comforting, but a bit heavy and the flavor didn't evolve much. Worth trying, but not a standout. * Paella de Mariscos - 6/10 The seafood itself was cooked well--clams, prawns, mussels, and octopus were all fresh--but the rice was underwhelming. It lacked depth and didn't have the signature crisp or richness that makes paella special. * Churros con Chocolate - 3/10 Unfortunately dry and flavorless. The chocolate sauce was decent, but the churros didn't hit the mark--definitely skippable. Service & Ambiance: Our server was great--super warm and accommodating. When it got cold outside, they were quick to turn on the heaters, which we appreciated. The patio had a cute vibe, but we were seated next to a large party with kids yelling and throwing rocks at the glass, which definitely affected the ambiance and made it harder to enjoy the meal. That was the only real bummer atmosphere-wise. Final Thoughts: The meal came out to around $170 for two people, which felt fair. There were some standout dishes we'd come back for, but also a couple that didn't quite justify the price (especially the paella). That said, I think if we had ordered more tapas instead of the paella, were seated away from the loud group, and the food came out just a bit faster--this easily could've been a 5-star experience. read more
1 year ago
Diferrent types of steak, potato, paella , brussel sprouts, limon shrimp, and chicken potatos vaca restaurant read more
7 months ago
wow! very pleased with the food and service! my better half wanted us to go here for VDay since i booked a concert next door. they were very welcoming and attentive to our evening with a concert afterwards. they made sure we got our food before the concert and was very accommodating. they gave the ladies a rose at the end of the meal. read more
2 years ago
6 months ago
OFF THE MENU. OFF THE CHARTSign up for their special events. Just got educated on different levels of Vermouth, paired with levels of taste, texture and mouth watering appetizers. Small tapas where the mine explodes and the stomach say"BRING IT ON!!! A few pics to share. Gail read more
Finally able to try this place and we went during lunch. I wanted to try their preset menu which is reasonable and a great way to try the place. The week I came, steak wasn't on the menu so I'll have to come back and visit. I had the seabass and everything tasted great! I loved the grilled cauliflower the best! Service was good. It's close to Segerstrom so people go before a show for a nice dinner. I would go back and try again. :) read more
1 year ago
3 months ago
1 year ago
Trying this restaurant for the 1st time. If you make reservations, I highly recommend specify you want indoor seating. Otherwise they will seat you outdoor. They have great service and cocktail. In my opinion the tapa is taste better than the paella. read more
PARKING (4/5): They have velvet or you can park in the structure a block away, or across the street at South Coast Plaza Mall. SERVICE (4/5): My last visit the service was REALLY SLOW. But they are usually amazing, so I will not judge based on one off night. FOOD (4/5): $26 CARNE CRUDO: ahi + steak tartare (raw). It was good! However, I'd prefer just one or the other. I loved the concept of mixing both! $28 PULPO A LA GALLEGA: octopus with potatoes. Perfectly cooked so it's soft & not chewy. AMAZING everytime we order. $16 ALBONDIGAS: lamb meatballs. These were OK. The yogurt was better than the actual meatball. I'd try the lamb skewer next time. $24 CANELON DE POLLO AHUMADO: smoked chicken, duck liver, Sherry reduction. So much flavor! Must try. $26 RABO DE TORO: braised oxtail with mushrooms. So Flavor, tender & so delicious! One of my favorite dishes! $13 MANCHEGO PANNA COTTA: freshly grated Manchego cheese, crispy coconut flakes on top and custard panna Cotta. It was OK. Very tiny. OVERALL (4/5): Great service. Great ambiance. Great food. read more
Been to vaca a couple times for celebrations. The food and drinks are good. You must get the canelon de pollo. We have also enjoyed the paella both times. Down side is that the restaurant is pretty small so you're seated closely to other parties. Our second time here, the service was not as good as the first time. We came for a birthday both times. First visit was offered a free dessert. Second time the table next to us was offered a free dessert but we were not offered one even though we confirmed with the hostess we were celebrating a birthday. Additionally, the staff kept trying to clear our plates when we were still working on them. And they took our utensils halfway even though we had other dishes coming out. Thought they were going to replace the utensils but we ended up have to ask our waiter for a new set. It was odd and felt like we were being rushed out read more
Updated review after trying another Spanish restaurant recently and considering the price and flavors, I definitely think there are better alternatives. If you come for the fine dining experience sure, but the dishes, sangria and waiting time for paella can definitely be inproved. read more
2 years ago
They are very helpful with making sure you get to your show on time and provide recommendations. We sat on the patio with the heater, and during the holidays, you can see the Christmas tree lit up. Food were huge portions! With the variety they have, it's best to share dishes too. read more
3 years ago
Great for tapas and paellas! The cocktails fell short and did not stand out to us. Recommendation: Put in your order for paellas and specialty steak dishes about 20 minutes before ordering tapas. Enrizos con huevos ($28) - scrambled eggs with uni, served on toast. Great flavor but I wish they gave more toast. Canelon de pollo ahumado ($24) - a different take on a chicken enchillada. Very rich in flavor. Paella de mariscos x2 ($61/each) - Woah, the biggest prawns that i've seen on a paella. Must get! I didnt think I would like the white crema thing (garlic aioli) but it really adds. Prime skirt steak ($46) - Super tender and melts in your mouth. I think a little on the pricier side since it doesn't come with any sides, just dipping sauce. Overall, great experience, just a little on the pricier side if you're looking for a special dining experience. Came out to a little over $115/pp. Parking is free at the Segerstrom Arts Center structure across the street. If there's an event, let the parking attendant know that you're dining at Vaca. read more
Delicious tapas and paella! The paellas plate was huge, so one paella plus one tapas dish was enough to fill up two bellies. Paella de carne was so smoky and flavorful with the variety of meat, and the panza de cerdo pork belly was so tender and delicious. It was my birthday and they brought me complementary dessert, which was so nice of them! Nice restaurant for a birthday celebration! read more
6 months ago
1 year ago
We came here for our sister's birthday and had such a delicious meal. We sat out in the patio and it was just the perfect setting. The staff were super attentive and friendly. We loved the food. We would definitely come back. read more
2 years ago
Love this place!! The bar tender Nadine is super friendly and so sweet. I will definitely go back again soon. :). Suzanne. read more
2 years ago
Service was impeccable but the food I felt was not that great esp for the price. Everything we got is pictured below. There's only one item that I felt had that bomb first taste. The last pic. It was sooo good so if I came back, it would be only for that Ambiance is very chill, dim lights & great. Tables were a bit too close together read more
Such a great find!! Love this place! My friend from out of town came to California to celebrate her birthday. We had a huge lunch so we wanted to do something light.... Which led us to Vaca! We Fell in love with this place... it's tucked away on the opposite side of the mall but it was still standing room only! We were so lucky to find 2 seats at the bar! I read more
7 months ago
2 years ago
The food here was excellent, paella was some of the best we had in the area and the steak was done perfectly. I would have given this restaurant 4-5 stars however we had a very mediocre time with the service. First, we were seated outside and the manager was very rude to us when came back to them asking for a table inside. It would have been one thing if they tried to make it more comfortable for us, but she insisted on saying we were wrong. Next we were reviewing the bill and they left off the wine, which was annoying that we had to catch that for them. read more
I absolutely recommend coming to Vaca! The service was great, the design of the restaurant is great, and the food is beyond delicious with a price that is outstanding We came here for food after a play and were exhausted and were still blown away. I highly recommend! read more
8 months ago
Delicious food, lively atmosphere, good ambiance, and steep prices. I dined at Vaca on a Wednesday evening for a friends birthday dinner. We had reservations for 7pm knowing that Vaca is usually crowded on any given day. We were seated promptly upon arrival and wow was the restaurant packed! It made for a fun environment. We ordered a couple cocktails: paper plane and dirty martinis and they did not disappoint. The menu is lengthy so it took us some time to narrow down what we wanted to order to eat. We ended up ordering a handful of tapas to share and each small plate was beyond delicious in its own way! We proceeded to order a second round of tapas and repeated a couple items because they were just that good! The potato beef balls and chicken cannelloni to be specific. They offer valet and there also is a nearby parking structure which they validate for. I recommend parking in the structure! Be prepared for your wallet to take a hit after enjoying a full food and drink meal at Vaca. Definitely a spot for a celebration or treat yo' self type meal. read more
2 years ago
The crispy calamari was light and delicious, and the Brussels sprouts were tasty, though they could go a little lighter on that (admittedly yummy) sauce. The Canelón de pollo didn't look the most appetizing, but wow--it was packed with flavor and totally hit the spot. The seafood paella was good but lacked a bit of depth in flavor. Not bad, but I was hoping for more punch. Now, let's talk about the drinks--absolutely delicious! And that sorbet passionfruit mango? A total standout. Sweet, tangy, and refreshing, it was the perfect way to round out the meal. Service was great--attentive and friendly. The atmosphere was chill but on the loud side, and the seating is really tight. You might end up closer to your neighbor than you'd like. On the plus side, the restrooms were clean, which is always a win! Would I come back? Probably. But I'd love to see a few tweaks to make the experience even better. read more
1 year ago
Walked over from our hotel. Loved Amar from Top Chef Expectations were high and we were not disappointed. It's really nice inside. Dark wood and original artwork on the walls. They also have an outdoor dining area. We were seated right away and looked over the menu while we ordered some drinks. We like to try a lot of stuff so we love a tapas place, cause it allows us to sample a lot of different foods We ordered quite a bit: Coctel de Camaron was very good Sopa de Bacalao y maiz a corn and fish chowder, was my favorite item Erizos con huevos Waygu albondigas Carne Crudo Bikini sandwiches - amazing, second favorite. Perfect balance of salt and sweet Viera a la plancha Albacore tataki We also got a charcuterie plate with Jamon serrano Fermin Iberico chorizo and assorted cheese Drinks were amazing as well. We had the Blossom, yes we have a pink drink and a couple glasses of wine We loved every minute of the experience read more
9 months ago
Fun place to go eat! Everything is mostly tapas style. You can select your own meat- you can walk right up to the refrigerator and select which cut you would like. They will then cook it for you! The rib eye was pretty good! Great drink selections as well. This place does get busy so reservation is a must. Valet parking in the front - that's pretty much your only option. I guess you can park across the street from the mall and walk over. But I dont recommend that since you might get a ticket from the mall bike cop. Albacore tataki - great presentation and tasty. Would o order it again. Maybe. Rib eye- pretty good. Worth sharing its a big portion Erizos con huevos - comes in a real sea urchin. Fun dish to share and mostly eggs topped with sea urchin. I get it every time Vaca tonic- one of the most tastiest and funniest drink around. Perfect for the summer time. Must try! read more
1 year ago
* Price: $$$$. Tax, 3% added for surcharges, 20% added for 6 persons (although we had only 4). 2 star. * Ambiance: nice and chi decor dining area, nice and spacious outdoor dining. 4 star. * Location: town center in Cosa Mesa. Not far from South Coast plaza. Valet parking for $10. They validate 2 hour service parking in a nearby garage. 3 star. * Meals: good but not blown away. 4 star. * Service: so so, deceiving. 2 star This total is 15 points or averaged to 3 stars. I'm perplexed to rate this restaurant since I was so hyped up to dine here. Vaca was on my bookmarks to check out for a while. Also, I like chef Amar on Top Chef's. But the service and food are not up to par for what we paid for! I picked this restaurant to meet up with our cousins visiting from out of town and stayed at Huntington Beach. We booked a table for 5 people, but one could not make it (it is Monday night!). We had: 1. Pan con tomato $9: toasted bread, garlic, tomato, olive oil. 2. Panza de credo $18: braised pork belly. 3. Pulpo a la gallela $28: octopus, fingerling potatoes, olive oil. 4. Ensalada Picada $15: cabbage, romaine, beet goat cheese salad with Dijon vinaigrette x2 5. 50+ day age ribeye steak, $89 for 1oz. $180 for 2 oz. 6. Paella valenciana $60, shrimp, scallop, chorizo, chicken, and saffron rice. 7. For desert, we have churro $14, tart $12, ice cream $13 (2 scoop), 1 coffee $4 We also have one glass of Spanish wine and ice tea. Our check came as $540 with $12 surcharges, $90 gratuity, and $40 tax. Since our cousins got there first, they ordered 3 dishes from the tapas section. I did not try pork belly since the portion is quite small. The octopus is moist and tender but very fishy. The toast is ordinary. Salad is fresh but very small. So, we ordered 2 salads to share between 4 people. The ribeye steak has good flavor but not worth $180. We did not realize $89 for one oz... they did put that on the menu fine print... but with our old vision (none of us bring our reading glasses!!!). We did ask our server, and he said the serving is 2 oz (we assumed $89 per dish!). Paella is good but relative small portion. The deserts are probably the best of the entire dinner. Churio is crunchy, not too sweet, and can be eat alone or dipped in chocolate. Cognac ice cream is to die for! Overall, we did enjoy our meals, but we will not hurry coming back. We should have skipped expensive items like steak and paella and spend on other dishes on their tapas list. We asked our server about the already added 20% gratuity. He said nothing added at first. When we pointed out the receipt, he said because we reserved the table for 6 (even though we only reserved for 5 and only 4 came to dinner). We did not want to make a big deal and paid. However, the service was lacking. We had to ask our servers a few times to get our drinks refilled. read more
For parking there is valet or if you go further down there is a parking structure where they will validate. We opted for outdoor seating cause of the nice weather. Our waiter explained the menu and made recs on what we were craving. The food was pretty good, but I wasn't blown away. Disappointed by the paella because it was pretty salty. Heard a lot of great things so I guess my expectations were too high. But the restaurant is gorgeous and service was really great. read more
1 year ago
Service was great! Food was 10/10- I can't wait to go back! The vibes were great- dark environment but edgy. read more
2 years ago
Vaca is a complete disaster of a restaurant. It's a culinary circus It's making the 1-star restaurants I've reviewed seem like gourmet dining experiences! The chef clearly needs a refresher course in basic cooking skills--taste, plating, coloring, and texturing seem to be completely foreign concepts. This place's survival in OC is a mystery, Maybe the owners are just insanely rich and can afford to keep it running. From the misleading online reservations to the rigid table policies, and the dim, stuffy dining area, the whole experience was a mess. The food arrived in a chaotic order and was largely inedible, with dishes that ranged from overly sweet to extremely sour. Even simple requests, like a lemon wedge, were mishandled. The service was non-existent after the food was delivered, and we were charged for items we didn't order, along with unnecessary surcharges. --+PATATAS BRAVAS* 14 Overly salted, but at least it's the highlight of the night. It's edible. ---GAMBAS AL AJILLO* 18 Sautéed shrimp, olive oil, garlic, chili flakes, grilled bread: It says "gambas," but it's actually shrimp. The menu does state this, but the small print is too hard to read in the dim lighting. The shrimp is overcooked, not fresh, and the sauce is lightly garlicky but extremely sour and swimming in oil. It's the nastiest seafood tapas I've ever had. Charred bread is sticky and tough. ---CANELON DE POLLO AHUMADO* 24 Smoked chicken cannelloni, duck liver sauce, sherry reduction: The worst thing I've ever put in my mouth. The chicken is drenched in an overly sweet, repulsive, gloopy sauce that looks and tastes awful. It's like eating steamed minced chicken in a nutty dessert at a lukewarm temperature. This is chicken dessert. I strongly suspect the chef doesn't know the difference between salt and sugar--seems like they're adding the wrong "salt." It looks as bad as it tastes, with plating that resembles cat vomit. --+ENSALADA DE COGOLLOS: Romain lettuce salad: Nothing to write home about. The charred peach is mushy, the nuts aren't roasted enough, and the dressing is too sour. Overall, Vaca's pretentious claim of authenticity falls flat with their dreadful, poorly executed food and abysmal service. The only redeeming feature was the busboy who kept my water glass full. Seven years ago, I had the worst paella; today, I experienced the worst of everything. What a joke! You are offending my taste buds and my time with your nasty sauce. read more
Great food and enjoyed our experience with a big group. We were a party of 5 with a baby. They were able to accommodate our infant with a stroller. However there are no kids menu. We ordered a bunch of tapas (which I'll put in order of preference based on taste below), then ordered the aged ribeye cooked medium, brussel sprouts, and paella valenciana (seafood) to share. Tapas: 1. CARNE CRUDA (steak & ahi tartare): this was the table favorite. Truffle flavor was subtle and just right. 2. HUESOS AL HORNO (bone marrow): Bone marrow was plentiful to share with all 5 adults. The marmalade kinda overpowered the bone marrow so use it sparingly when eating it together. 3. CALAMARES (calamari with shishito peppers): perfectly seasoned and not overly battered. Wishes the calamares were bigger portioned but it was enough. 4. PULPO A LA GALLEGA (octopus): this had a mixed review with the table. Some preferred this over the calamari. 5. Jamon iberico board: it was okay Prime ribeye was perfectly seasoned and cooked. Paired well with the brussel sprouts. Paella valenciana was okay. A lot of seafood with big prawns, great flavor but it was kinda dry and burned at the bottom. The cocktail menu was great. All the servers (including the bar) were very friendly. They made sure we didn't wait for our food/drinks too long and that our experience was going well. We even got to meet Chef Amar who was very approachable and friendly. We enjoyed our first time experience at this restaurant and will definitely return. Great for groups! read more
More info about Vaca
695 Town Center Dr
Ste 170
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Directions
(714) 463-6060
Call Now
Visit Website
https://vacarestaurant.com
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Ask the Community - Vaca
We plan to eat at Vaca, get the parking validated by Vaca, then go to watch a show at Sergstrom. Do I need to pay for parking since the parking ticket is validated much earlier than the exit time?
Yes, Vaca restaurant in Costa Mesa validates parking in the nearby parking structure. Guests can either use valet parking or self-park in the structure. If self-parking, you'll need to bring your parking ticket to the restaurant for validation.…
Do they take reservations for small groups?
Yes they do- however they've been victims of reservation swatting lately so best to call to make a reservation
Does Vaca offer a Thanksgiving menu, dine in and/or takeout, and what is included?
I doubt that. But, it's April. There's a lot of time for things to change lol
How many people do you need to get a paella? Could a person eat one all by himself?
2. 3 if you order other tapas. 1 is doable if you're a big eater or you are willing to take leftovers.
What meat is in the Spanish platter?
Best parking if seeing a play at seger storm after diner?
Absolutely yes! That's what we always do. Park at Vaca, eat there, go to theater, then pickup car afterwards.
Hi, is the menu different if you sit at the bar?
I don't believe so. I think they only use the one paper folded menu.
Does the Lunch menu offer tapas as well or is that only for dinner?
We went for lunch and decided to do only the tapas.. You can mix and match
What is the corkage fee for a magnum?
Their corkage fee is listed in FAQ...$30 for one bottle and need to contact them for additional bottles.
Which seating area is better: indoor or outdoor? If outdoor, by the front or the back?
If it's just two, I'd sit at the bar. Otherwise a table in the back. Outside lacks the vibe.
Is there a dress code?
It's like fun-upscale but basically just shoes shirt and pants. :)
What fully vegan options are there?
There's a paella there with noodles and veggies.
During this covid season, are they open for lunch? I heard they had lunch specials, are there any right now?
Should I bother eating here if I can't eat dairy? Food looks great but it looks like most items have cheese
This place is a meat eater's paradise. Especially if you like Spanish cured meats i.e. Jambon. All things Spanish are available here especially a wide array of Spanish cheeses, but dairy would be a small part of what you could order here. This place…
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97 reviews that are not currently recommended
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