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Red O Brings Upscale Mexican Food to La Jolla

The 10,000-sqare-foot modern Mexican restaurant is now open at the Westfield UTC mall

By Troy Johnson June 5, 2017

Red O Brings Upscale Mexican Food to La Jolla — Photo: Jesus Banuelos

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The Golden Triangle is about to explode with food. Westfield UTC mall is adding eight new restaurants, and Red O just debuted across the street in the former Donovan’s space. It’s over 10,000 square feet of modern Mexican grandeur, with a menu created by chef Marc Johnson. The consulting chef is Rick Bayless, one of the most renowned disciples of Mexican food.

Expect duck tacos in tomato-árbol chili sauce, corn and goat cheese tamales (pictured), chile relleno in ancho-citrus sauce, a 32-ounce tomahawk rib eye and Maine lobster surf and turf, and, of course, designer margs (including one with acai spirit, limonada, orange, and serrano chili syrup). The space feels like an indoor-outdoor Mexican seaside resort I’d never be able to afford to stay at.