Mesa Restaurant

Don't be alarmed: You won't find chips and salsa on your table at this Oak Cliff Mexican restaurant boasting Veracruz-style cooking. You will, however, find plenty of good drinks and simple fare that smacks of authenticity. Raul and Olga Reyes lean heavily on the coastal cooking of their homeland at Mesa, their second attempt at a restaurant in the same spot. Mesa's dining room is clean, bright and modern, without feeling stuffy or forced. Orange and browns dominate a color scheme offset by a gray concrete bar that mirrors the weathered wood lining an adjacent wall. The reclaimed lumber, silvered by moisture and time, seems serious when compared to the playful cacti that jut from the brick wall near the entrance, colorful blossoms alight. This isn't fine dining, but it's comfortable dining, providing authenticity for those who want decent Mexican without a side of $8 salsa. The space is refined enough for Beyonce, who visited a few years ago, but relaxed enough for a quick pit stop before heading home.