Balvina's Mexican Kitchen — Restaurant in Laguna Hills

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This restaurant is truly a gem! It’s not your typical taco-and-burrito spot—instead, it offers an elevated take on Mexican cuisine that highlights the richness and diversity of the country’s culinary traditions. Every dish we tried was beautifully presented and bursting with authentic flavor, from the appetizers to the mains.

The menu goes beyond the classics, featuring creative specialties that show real artistry in the kitchen. Their wine selection pairs perfectly with the food, and the cocktails are just as impressive—balanced, refreshing, and thoughtfully crafted.

The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with attentive service that makes the whole dining experience even better. If you’re looking for a place that celebrates Mexican food in a sophisticated and modern way, while still keeping its soul, this is it. Highly...

Bummed to have to write this review, but my family and I went to Balvinas excited to try a new Mexican food place local to us. Arrived at 515 to an empty restaurant, no server greeted us as i think just the manager was there. Once seated the manager to 10 plus minutes to get our drink order with no other customers in the restaurant. We ordered our food, and after about 30 minutes our plates arrived. I had ordered the lamb shank Borrego. Took 2 bites first was hot second was ice cold, so cold I had to send it back as it must have just come out of the refrigerator. The lamb shank came back after additional 15 minutes boiling hot. At that point all others in party had finished their food, so we left. No apology, no compensation for poor quality. Not sure how this place has gotten the reviews it has so far.

It is not kid friendly at all. No kid menu. Just 3 items and only if...

I have to say I expected more... a lot more. First, the service was not good. Way too slow and long wait sitting at the table. This was fine Mexican dining served like a little French cafe. Portions were quite small. The food overall was pretty good. But definitely not deserving of the price, especially for the slow service. We had 2 lunch plates... small portions, and one appetizer (a queso dip that was so hard we had to use a knife to cut it) and two iced teas... $80 with tip.

Food served with 2 or 3 small tortillas. Waited almost 15 minutes to get more. Asked for chips, was brought a small basket with about a cup of chips. Asked for a hot sauce or salsa to go with this designer Mexican food and was handed a ¾ empty bottle of tapatio.

The cook was running out bussing tables. One waitress for the entire place. Sorry, I don't be coming back. Nothing memorable about...