Todos Santos — Restaurant in Rancho Santa Margarita

A week ago my husband and some friends went to this new restaurant, . I waited a week to post this so that I could read other reviews to make sure I was not dreaming. I love Mexican food and was delighted when I previewed the menu and saw that this was not your usual combination plates. And salsa buffet. I should confess that I've known one of the partners since he was bbqing ribeyes in his mom's backyard 25 years or more ago. This is a completely unbiased report , I only tell you our history so you know I have experience with his food from the Wild Rtichoke, Aubergine and the Montage. He knows what he's doing. So, I'll start with the chips and salsa. Our waitress was r.c right with us as the host seated us. She was friendly and clearly experienced. We started munching on the thin, crispy lovingly salted to perfection, chips dipped into the best ever salsa as she explained the margherita menu. Didn't have the nerve to try the El Chao. I did have the hibiscus Maggie. Light refreshing and tasty. Just to make sure I had a second one. My fellows had the one with jalapeno and watermelon juice it was amazing next time I'll have to get one of each. C&S was followed by the guacamole trio, one regular, one tropical, one smoked. Don't ask, just eat. Appie made of pork belly chili--lime-honey was so good I didn't want to share it, my husband judged all Mexican restaurants by their chicken enchiladas. Thankfully he shared a bite or two some thing he did not do with his lobster taco. Best chicken enchilada I have ever had. Beautifully plated in a stack(one reviewer whined that they were not rolled up....missed the point that it's the taste not the shape). We all tried different tacos. The pork belly and the lobster tied for first but the short rib almost made it a hat trick. The bar was hoppin. The decor was lovely . Our waitress was on top of it but didn't warn up to save room for the butter cake. Worth the drive, worth the price, but be sure to have a reservation. The wait withouone was an hour and a half, we had reservations but I would have to say it would have been woth the wait. Good going Casey ...

This is a nice upscale Mexican restaurant. They have a really good selection or margaritas. I got their Todos Santos spicy margarita with roasted pineapple, which had chunks of pineapple and jalapeños in it. I also got their Mezcalito that had a jalapeño agave mix. Both were very good and had a little kick to them which I liked. Now I know we were a large group but our appetizers came out before our drinks. For an appetizer we got ceviche. It looked amazing but it was served in a hollowed coconut. It didn’t say that on the menu and unfortunately my friend is allergic to coconut so we had to order another one without it. It had really good flavor and it was a bit spicy which again I love the spice. For my entree I got the pastor tacos. Usually when I order tacos they come made already but not theses they were served more like a fajita style it came in a skillet with the pastor and pineapples and the tortillas, salsa verde, & onion cilantro on the side. I had to make my own tacos and they didn’t give me a plate to do so. In my opinion there was way too much pineapple probably more pineapple than meat and the meat was dry. I wouldn’t recommend this for an entree maybe an appetizer but not really a good pastor taco. Overall it’s a very good place if it wasn’t for the slow service on drinks I would have had a third drink. The drinks are worth coming for and the atmosphere here is amazing with fireplaces and plenty of seating. Worth story if you’re...

My best guy and I go to Todos Santos frequently We love their margaritas, the food is great, except for the mole, and service is prompt with friendly staff. This place should be packed but it is not. The decor is not inviting, it is drab and one tone. The outside of the restaurant is well done, but the inside is white with charcoal colored tables and wall decor. It needs something to brighten it up. Maybe something colorful on the tables or chairs and booths with festive fabric. Anything to say welcome, come on in, this place is fabulous. The outside patio could be spruced up with more plants, maybe some Mexican hats on the wall, serapes, paper mache flowers on the tables or some fake succulents It wouldn't take much to spruce things up and envelope a person with a feeling of warmth. If you compare how inviting Tutto Fresco is with Todos Santos there is no comparison and Tutto is always busy. If I would peek into Tutto then Todos I would pick Tutto any day because it says "Welcome: Don't get me wrong we still go to Todos and we want it to succeed--aboslutely Maybe just a little bit of tweaking and this place would be overrun...