Blanco Cocina + Cantina is now open at Fashion Valley in San Diego! We were invited in for a sneak peek of the menu and had the opportunity to sample a variety of dishes before opening.
One dish stood out so much that I'm already planning a return visit just to order it again—the Mariscos Shrimp & Crab Cocktail. The flavors were incredibly fresh and perfectly balanced, featuring generous chunks of shrimp and crab topped with avocado, celery leaf, cilantro, and radish. Every bite was bright, flavorful, and refreshing.
Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Blanco is part of Fox Restaurant Concepts. For its San Diego debut, the restaurant group refreshed and reimagined the menu, introducing new dishes and fresh flavors designed to appeal to local diners while staying true to Blanco's modern Mexican-inspired roots.

Best Dishes
The Mariscos Shrimp & Crab Cocktail was my favorite dish of the day, but their other dishes didn't disappoint either. The short rib machaca tacos were mixed up well with caramelized onions, cilantro, sour cream and cotija cheese. YUM!

The Shrimp Fajitas
We also tried the Shrimp Fajitas, and they're another must-order dish. Served sizzling hot, the shrimp were perfectly cooked and packed with flavor. Just be prepared for a little heat—this dish brings some serious spice! If you enjoy bold flavors with a kick, the Shrimp Fajitas are definitely worth adding to your order.

The Dessert
We ended our meal on a sweet note with the Mexican Chocolate Tiramisu, a rich and decadent dessert layered with warm Mexican chocolate flavors and topped with crunchy candied walnuts. It was the perfect balance of creamy, chocolatey, and nutty textures, making it a memorable finale to an incredible dining experience at Blanco Cocina + Cantina.

Looking for a new spot to try in San Diego? Try out Blanco Tacos & Tequila in Fashion Valley Mall!

If you like this post, be sure to check out Puesto and El Sueno in Old Town.
We were hosted for a media tasting. All opinions are my own.





Leave a Reply