A Kiss for The Cook at Bésame Mexican Grill

I am excited to see that a few new restaurants are opening in our area. I have noticed several signs indicating that some new spots are “opening soon.” A new place that has already opened is called It is located at 32932 Pacific Coast Hwy. in Monarch Beach Plaza, Dana Point.

Bésame is a small place, with a bar near the entrance and tables scattered throughout. There are two televisions for the bar patrons to enjoy. The furniture is dark wood with clean lines. The decorations are some long, wood-framed mirrors, hung horizontally.  The only color is a tangerine wall and orange glass light fixtures hung over the bar.

We arrived mid-week during happy hour and were given the happy hour menu and the regular menu.  Like the décor, the happy hour menu is pretty simple and direct and all fits on a small card. Appetizers include: Three tacos, nachos, quesadilla, queso fundido, taquitos, pork sliders, grilled chicken skewers and fire steak skewers. These are all available every day between 2:30-6:30 p.m. and all cost between $4-6. Featured happy hour cocktails include the house margarita, Cadillac margarita, and a skinny margarita. 

The regular drink menu offers some other interesting margarita options, including cucumber, jalapeno, and watermelon margaritas. In addition there is an extensive list of tequilas for the tequila aficionados, along with a brief list of wines and some nice imported beers.

The dinner menu is a mix of expected and unexpected items. Entrée salads include a roasted chicken and a seared Ahi salad. They also offer a house salad, a chipotle Caesar, and a veggie salad. There is the option to add grilled chicken, steak, shrimp or salmon to any salad. Tacos are available with chicken, carne asada, carnitas or fish. Carnitas tamales and a variety of enchiladas are available, as are fajitas.  You can also create your own combinations of tacos, enchiladas, taquitos and tamales.

In addition there are some simple, light meals served with white rice and veggies, including grilled chicken, fish of the day, and garlic shrimp.

The entire menu seems to emphasize vegetables and light, interesting sauces. This is not heavy Mexican food covered with cheese, but a more delicate take on what we often think of as standard Mexican fare.

After checking out all of the choices, my husband selected the house margarita and the three chicken tacos from the happy hour menu, and I decided to try the spinach and mushroom enchiladas and a glass of the house Chardonnay.

Our drinks came quickly and a metal basket filled with delicate, warm corn chips and zesty, fresh salsa were delivered to our table. As we enjoyed them, the restaurant began to fill up with families and couples, which we thought was great for such a new business.

Our entrées arrived on sleek white dishware. The three chicken tacos came on corn tortillas and were topped with pico de gallo, shredded cabbage, and other veggies. They were small but tasty. My enchiladas were filled with spinach and mushrooms and were covered with yellow mole sauce and topped with chopped sautéed vegetables. I would guess that the mole sauce was prepared with pureed squash or yellow pepper. It was slightly sweet and spicy and the whole dish was delicious and light. It was served with white rice and a small dish of black beans.

We thought the food was quite good. The staff was friendly and enthusiastic and the menu was imaginative.  Besame Mexican Grill is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays.

I give Besame Mexican Grill 3 ½ Patches out of 5.