El Mesón de los Molcajetes aspires to redefine, elevate Mexican cuisine in Santa Rosa

“We want to be the best Mexican restaurant in Santa Rosa,” said Obed Romo, executive chef at El Mesón de los Molcajetes in Santa Rosa, the latest venture by Zacarias and Diego Martin, owners of Los Molcajetes Bar & Grill.

Romo’s extensive culinary training coupled with Zacarias and Diego’s track record have the potential to reach that goal.

Zacarias also owns Taqueria Molcajetes on College Ave. in Santa Rosa, which was featured on The Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives in 2018, and for good reason. Between Yelp, Facebook, and Google reviews, the restaurant averages about 4.5 stars, with over 1000 reviews on Google alone.

Los Molcajetes Bar & Grill on Montecito Blvd., owned by Zacarias and his nephew, Diego, is also similarly rated by its customers, who frequently comment on the large portions and crafty cocktails.

Romo, the executive chef at El Mesón de los Molcajetes, has a lofty resume that includes culinary training at the University of Guadalajara, chef experience in Cancun and Jalisco and a multitude of professional certifications.

The three restaurants under Zacarias’s tutelage all incorporate the molcajete in their names and menus. “For me, the molcajete continues to be a symbol of Mexican cuisine,” he said. The spices ground in the molcajete add a distinct flavor, he said.

“The molcajete in Mexico is characterized as an instrument that should not be missing in a kitchen,” said Zacarias. That tool is often passed down from generation to generation.

His cooking inspiration comes from his grandparents, and past generations that created these flavorful recipes. But, he recognizes that the never ending passion to create a gastronomical experience comes from within.

“The kitchen is not like ‘today I’m going to school and I will be a chef.’ This is born in you. This is carried, this is learned. Of course, one refines their knowledge in school,” he said. “But in reality, the kitchen is carried within. From the time one is born, you carry the desire from within to make food.”

Romo, the executive chef, views the culinary world as a continuous learning experience.

“Especially in the kitchen if you think that you know everything then you remain stuck,” said Romo.

The passion bubbled from the young chef who spoke extensively about what he will offer guests at El Mesón de los Molcajetes.

“My gastronomy is inspired by the traditional Mexican cuisine but using techniques from other cuisines around the world. And that is very much reflected on the menu here,” said Romo. El Mesón will primarily focus on the Mexican cuisine of Los Altos de Jalisco, where Obed, Zacarias and Diego all come from.

They offer different menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner and specialty cocktails at the bar. The cocktails were created especially for the restaurant using quality, high end ingredients.

For breakfast, guests may consider Huevos Rancheros, Chipotle Eggs Benedict or even Chorizo Biscuit and Gravy. The lunch menu is slightly pared down, with tacos, soups and salads. For dinner, guests may consider traditional Mexican dishes such as the Molcajete or Jalisco Mole Rojo. Or, they may consider internationally influenced dishes such as the Chile Chimichurri Filet Mignon or a Diabla Salmon with a side of coconut white rice.

In October 2020, in the middle of the pandemic, the team began to design and construct the interior of the restaurant. Zacarias said this is more than the sarapes and colorful plastic flags you’d find at a local taqueria. Instead they aim to provide an elevated dining experience that traverses the palate and whisks the diners to Los Altos de Jalisco.

The interior is inspired by the old, sprawling haciendas of Jalisco. At the entrance, guests are greeted by a weathered water fountain adorned with blue and white tiles below. The restaurant’s interior takes on an earthy feel and is replete with handmade clay tiles, stone detailing and wooden paneling.

Guests can sip cocktails at the granite bar, dine inside the restaurant where they can peer into the open kitchen or lounge in the patio area.

For the time being, the team wants to perfect their craft before they move on to the next project. Though they have not started looking too far ahead, Zacarias and Diego would like to possibly open their next location in either Petaluma or Napa.

While the gears continue to turn, it may not be long until we see what else these restaurateurs come up with next. Zacarias noted, “The kitchen is like an art. It does not end.”

El Mesón de los Molcajetes is located at 1950 Piner Road, Santa Rosa and is open every day from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. They serve breakfast from 9 am to 12 p.m., lunch from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and dinner from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Reservations are strongly recommended.

Want to see more? You can watch La Prensa Sonoma’s Facebook Live coverage of El Mesón de los Molcajetes here.

You can reach Staff Writer Jennifer Sawhney at jennifer.sawhney@laprensasonoma.com