When Jose Antonio began his design for XOC Tequila Grill and it’s fast-order window TacoXOC, pronounced (shaw-k), he decided to completely rethink the concept of Mexican dining. In working with the restauranteurs from Frida Restaurant Group which Jose Antonio also designed, he wanted to insure that this new restaurant attracted the right kind of attention among the many options in The Village at Westfield Topanga. To achieve this, Jose Antonio drew on his experience to create a fresh, vibrant new space, that allowed for the separation of experiences but yet a connectedness to the buzz of the entire restaurant.

The design is a modern industrial interpretation of the relief work and carvings used as a facade on the Mayan pyramids. The one of a kind glass bar top is reminiscent of the quartz veins you would find throughout the caves located deep in the mountains. As guests come to check out the innovative cuisine of the chef, styled as more authentic Mexican fare, they linger because of the stunning ambience – raving about the patio with cozy fireplaces and eclectic vibe. Probably the most popular feature is the massive tree like wood structure with its twisted trunk and overarching branches representing the rainforest, where the Mayan civilization took hold. The upholstery colors are greens and yellows playing on zesty earth tones with multiple styles and colors of wood, to mini lights in the floor to add an air of sparkle in the night. For Jose Antonio, this was a question of balance and contrast.  “I wanted to create an atmosphere that spoke about the food just as much as it spoke about the design,” says Jose Antonio.