The Disneyland Resort now has three new Mexican restaurants in its Downtown Disney District. Paseo, Céntrico and Tiendita are all now officially open. This came after an opening ceremony in front of the trio of restaurants that included Jason Smith, Executive Director, Downtown Disney & Arrival Experience, John Kolaski, President of Patina Restaurant Group, and also Michelin-starred Chef Carlos Gaytán. These new restaurants offer authentic and upscale Mexican cuisine to its guests.
“My mother instilled in me a passion for cooking, which inspired me to move to America to hone my craft. Throughout my career, I have been merging the traditional French cooking techniques I’ve learned with the traditions and recipes of childhood favorites inspired by my family,” Gaytán said. “Getting the chance to combine my love for my home country, my family, and cooking and display that to the guests of Paseo, Céntrico and Tiendita is truly an honor. I’m extremely proud to debut these restaurants, which were heavily influenced by my heritage and family, and hope those visiting the Downtown Disney District will create their own memories here, anchored by good food and good company.”
There are three different approaches to Mexican cuisine with these restaurants. At Paseo, guests enter into a contemporary and show-stopping dining room and bar area. These are decorated with rich woods, custom leathers, lavish greenery and custom native accents that celebrate the culture of Mexico. Gaytán’s vision and connection to his heritage are brought to life for guests visiting Paseo. It offers an elevated dining experience and puts spotlights on lesser-known Mexican delicacies. These are all presented in an elegant fashion.
The menu reimagines and modernizes childhood favorites of Chef Gaytán. This includes vibrant flavors of chiles, aromatic spices and homemade tortillas he grew up enjoying. Some of the highlighted offerings include rich and vibrant cochinita pibil – a pork recipe derived directly from his mother’s recipe – and pulpo enamorado, which features roasted octopus and is finished with a creamy tuna aioli. The mejillones is another key dish on the menu – combining French techniques and infusing Mexican flair into the classic mussels dish with the addition of saffron, chorizo and pickled jalapeños. This is a dish that shows off Gaytán’s unique culinary training. Paseo hopes to create lasting memory through Chef Gaytán’s food as it transports diners to his hometown as he has reimagined it for this setting.
“We are thrilled to share Chef Gaytán’s culinary vision with guests and introduce his world-renowned Mexican cuisine as we continue to grow our presence at Downtown Disney District,” said John Kolaski, President of Patina Restaurant Group during the ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday. “Each of these unique venues – Paseo, Céntrico and Tiendita – offer a bespoke dining experience with their own look and feel, while maintaining their roots in authentic Mexican cuisine and culture.”
Walking through Downtown Disney District, it is impossible to miss Céntrico. It is right in the middle of the walkway and offers open, airy spaces that are designed with custom wooden elements and lush greenery. The goal is to capture the spirit of a Mexican hacienda. There are also some cosy fire pits around the restaurant as well. This has a menu that includes Mexican staples like chicken enchiladas and modern twists like a vibrant Caesar salad layered with a hint of Mexican flair. It also has an expansive bar. It has a robust cocktail menu that has unique drinks including the Ritual Margarita with Espolon tequila, ginger liqueur, guava, and lime juice and the El Mariachi in Manhattan, which is a Mexican twist on the traditional Manhattan cocktail. This is a relaxing place to enjoy being with friends or family members and enjoy the present moment.
The third restaurant is Tiendita. It is a quick-service dining option for those who want to grab some food and keep on moving. It still has the high-quality Mexican cuisine that is offered at the other two restaurants. The menu has some classics like esquites, a Mexican street-food staple that transcends borders, and tacos al pastor, which includes marinated pork roasted to perfection. The dishes are prepared in a bright, glass space where guests can watch the culinary team at work. Guests also have the option to order from self-service kiosks or they can order at the counter.
The Mexican influence found in these restaurants is not just confined to the cuisine. It also can be found in the design elements of Paseo and Céntrico from award-winning Mexican architect Jorge Gracia, founder of Tijuana-based GraciaStudio. The furnishings found at these restaurants come from La Metropolitana, a Mexico City-based design and carpentry company that produces traditional pieces paired with cutting edge technology and are hand finished by master carpenters. To top it all off, Anfora, a celebrated dinnerware company which is deeply embedded in Mexican culture and craftsmanship, created the dinnerware collection that reflects both the unique spirit and dining ethos for Paseo and Céntrico.
The restaurants are all now open for walk-in service. Reservations will begin on June 1 for Paseo and Céntrico. Currently, Paseo is currently open only for dinner. Weekday lunch and weekend brunch service offerings will be coming soon. Céntrico currently serves lunch and dinner.
About Chef Gaytán
As the first Mexican-born chef to earn a coveted Michelin star, Gaytán is a widely recognized ambassador of Mexican cuisine and has been prominently featured in numerous food, travel, lifestyle and broadcast outlets worldwide, including BRAVO’s “Top Chef” in 2013. His culinary journey began in Chicago, where he rose through the ranks at the North Shore Hotel, followed by Bistro Margot, working as chef de cuisine underneath the esteemed chef Dominique Tougne. Eventually, he navigated his own path to owning his own restaurant, Mexique where he seamlessly unified his Mexican heritage with his love of French culinary cuisine. In addition to these new concepts in California, Gaytán’s current concept portfolio includes Ha’ at Hotel Xcaret México in Playa del Carmen and Tzuco in Chicago, where he is chef-owner and was a semifinalist in the Best New Restaurant category by the James Beard Foundation Awards in 2020.
For more details about Chef Gaytán and Patina Restaurant Group, visit PaseoAnaheim.com and CentricoAnaheim.com.
What do you think about these new restaurants in Downtown Disney District? Are you excited to try them? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
