Greer's OC

Playa Mesa Mexican Kitchen will be opening next month at the former Ruby’s Diner location on East 17^th Street in Costa Mesa, offering lunch and dinner daily and weekend brunch.

The concept is the newest venture by restaurateurs Mario Marovic and Andrew Gabriel who have produced other venues throughout Orange County, including Costa Mesa’s The Country Club and Wild Goose Tavern, Dory Deli in Newport Beach and award-winning Matador Cantina & Cocina in Fullerton, among others.

The menu will favor coastal Mexican dishes with non-GMO, organic and farm-to-table ingredients. Expect to see items such as Hamachi Crudo, octopus, halibut ceviche, house-made moles and innovative takes on Mexican street food. The bar will feature an extensive selection of premium Tequilas and Mezcals, flavorful cocktails crafted with agave spirits, Spanish and South American wines, as well as draught and bottled Mexican and craft beer.

The spacious open floor plan is light and airy with white-washed brick walls, architectural breeze blocks, colorful tiles and an array of decorative wood surfaces and finishes. In addition to an exhibition kitchen spotlighting a comal tortilla grill, a centrally located rectangular bar is surrounded by lots of comfortable dining areas, including an adjacent enclosed patio. A second outdoor patio which transitions seamlessly via large bi-folding doors will offer more relaxed seating and the ambiance of two communal fire pits.  

Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. Monday through Friday, dinner from 5 p.m.-10 p.m. daily, and brunch from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Happy Hour will be served from 2 p.m. -6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The bar will be open until 11 p.m. daily.

Playa Mesa is at 428 E. 17^th Street in Costa Mesa. 949.287.5292 or visit playamesa.com.