Greer's OC: A haven for innovative tacos

Tacos will be going global when Taco Asylum opens at the Camp in Costa Mesa on Thursday. The same masterminds that brought us the delicious Haven Gastropub in Old Towne Orange are thinking out of the box when it comes to tacos.

They're serving up gourmet tacos with non-traditional ingredients ranging from Mediterranean-style grilled octopus to East Indian-style curried paneer.

Executive Chef Greg Daniels has constructed 10 taco offerings, each with a distinct flavor profile, ingredients and accompaniments. You may have never tasted tortillas like this before, including naan, herbed and cabernet tortillas, that are made in-house and from-scratch marinades and sauces. Each taco is filled with sustainable meats and seafood and most produce comes from local farms.

A sampling of what's on the menu includes pork belly with flour tortilla, carrots, daikon, onions and cilantro ($5); short rib with flour tortilla, pickled red onion, salsa verde, cotija cheese and cilantro ($5); curried paneer with naan tortilla, raita and tomato chutney ($5); and wild mushroom with herbed tortilla, mushrooms, garbanzo puree, parsley salad and fried chickpeas ($5).

And we know you'll be thirsty, so take care of that with unique craft beers, of which six are on tap and 18 are canned beers (all $6), or try an all-natural bottled soda, many of which are handcrafted in small batches (all $4).

Taco Asylum is open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the Camp (between Native Foods and Seed People's Market) at 2937 S. Bristol St. in Costa Mesa.

For more information, call (714) 922-6010 or visit http://www.tacoasylum.com.

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