Xacalli Kitchen — Restaurant in Lake Forest

I have mixed feelings about my experience. I am not your average Silverado resident (I moved here last year) in many ways, but one is that I don't cook so I go out to dinner every night (usually down the hill, but sometimes at the cafe or the market on the weekend). For this reason I have anxiously awaited the opening of Xacalli, and dreamed it would be a place I could eat at twice a week. My dream was crushed when I went last night. I don't know who the chef thinks this restaurant is for, but it obviously isn't for the residents of this canyon. Although I really enjoyed the steak (cooked beautifully) and the shrimp cheviche dish, I didn't understand the menu. The server said it was family style but the entire menu seemed to be appetizers and entrees. They had no sides only proteins, who does that? I wouldn't mind the prices (my favorite local restaurants are Fable and Spirit and Taco Maria, and the are as expensive as Xacalli), if the menu wasn't so disjointed. They crushed my dreams of a great neighborhood restaurant. Dinner for me and my three kids was $200 with tip, and two of them just had the worst overpriced cheese quesadillas I've ever seen. They must be counting on 90% of the restaurants business coming from down the hill (which is an insane belief), because they don't understand the residents of the canyon and what they are looking for in a local hot spot. On my way out I asked what another resident thought of the menu and they called it needlessly pretentious ( I agree, did they think the mexican version of steak tartare with a raw quail egg would become a canyon favorite?). She said "I would gladly pay $25 for a beautiful fajita made with local ingredients, but I didn't even know what most of the things on that menu are." I think that comment says it all. The chef obviously has talent, so I beg him to change his menu to something we can embrace. If you are dreaming of getting a bib gourmand or James Beard award with this menu, you'll be closed before anyone from Michelin ever makes it up the canyon. I hope you take my advice, because I desperately wan't a second local place in the canyon that I can go to once or twice a week not once or twice a year when I want...

Some of the best things in life are meant to remain hidden—waiting to be discovered by those unafraid to venture out and try something new. Tucked away in the historic mining town of Silverado, Xacalli Kitchen is truly a culinary hidden gem, embraced by canyons, creeks, and scenic beauty.

I was fortunate enough to be invited by close friends and teachers to experience this farm-to-table Mexican restaurant, and from start to finish it was an unforgettable evening. Leaving Huntington Beach on a late Friday afternoon, I made the drive through the scenic Silverado canyons, where golden light and pleasant weather set the perfect tone for the evening ahead. The road reminded me of a past trip through the Santa Monica Mountains—leaving the chaos of the city behind as the quiet beauty of the canyon unfolded. To my left, the newly built Saint Michael’s Abbey emerged on the horizon, striking and picturesque. My GPS assured me I was only three minutes away, and with a sense of nostalgia, I pulled into the restaurant.

There’s something grounding about this place. It reminded me of simpler times—when food was honest and fresh. That is exactly what Xacalli Kitchen delivers: simplicity rooted in farm-fresh ingredients.

The dishes were a delight for the senses. My favorite was the 24 oz Bone-In Porterhouse Carne Asada, perfectly tender with just the right smoky char that deepened its rich flavor. The Branzino grilled fish, served boneless, was succulent, delicate, and surprisingly approachable—as it carried none of the “fishy” taste one might expect. To finish, the Mousse de Chocolate was nothing short of divine: semi-sweet chocolate paired with cojeta, hazelnut, Dukkah, hibiscus, gastrique, and oblea. Each bite felt like a carefully composed symphony.

Xacalli Kitchen is more than just dinner—it’s a culinary journey. Every dish radiates care and passion, surprising and captivating you in the best ways. Here, surrounded by delicious food and great company, the world feels lighter and more peaceful. And the gems you uncover here remind you to relax, be present, and truly...

I recently had my wedding at the Silverado Market & Kitchen, right next door to Xacalli.

During our 30-minute ceremony, the owner of Xacalli decided to start watering her plants directly against the fence where my husband and I were standing, exchanging our vows. I don’t mind someone watering plants, but she began spraying over the fence, getting both of us wet. At first, we thought it was a mistake, so we kindly mentioned we were in the middle of our ceremony and asked for just five more minutes to finish. Her response was shockingly hostile; she told us this was her property and she could water her plants whenever she wanted.

Again, I have no issue with watering plants, but plants are usually rooted in the ground, not hovering above people’s heads. It quickly became clear that the owner was intentionally trying to disrupt our special moment.

I can't understand why anyone would go out of their way to do this, especially to people who have never wronged them.

Even after our ceremony ended, she continued to harass my guests, berating them as they left. I have never encountered such hostility and rudeness, especially on what should have been one of the happiest days of my life. Though she tried to ruin it, all she did was reveal her true character to everyone there.

I want everyone on this platform to know that the person who runs this establishment is neither kind nor hospitable. Please be aware of who you’re supporting when you choose to visit Xicalli.

As for Silverado Market & Kitchen, I have been a loyal customer since they opened. They are some of the kindest people I’ve ever met, providing us with an incredible venue for our wedding and a loving, supportive staff. Despite someone’s attempts to disrupt the day, they helped make my dream...