Design Dish: RED O in Westlake Village

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Just a week past Labor Day, we can already feel the carefree spirit of summer becoming a distant memory. Eager to keep the stress that accompanies fall’s schedules and deadlines at bay, we welcome any opportunity to recapture our vacation vibes. We were excited to learn that the latest outpost of RED O, the upscale Mexican restaurant which celebrates the rich culinary heritage of Mexico, had opened in Westlake Village. Merging elevated cuisine, immersive design and warm hospitality, RED O offers more than a meal. It delivers an experience.

Photo courtesy of Red O

That’s confirmed by Martyn Lawrence Bullard‘s design for the interior which envelopes you in the bohemian spirit of Tulum. Inspired by carefree beauty of that legendary paradise on the Caribbean coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, Bullard envisioned the space as a luxe yet relaxed escape, layering the space with caba cloth, woven rattan, rope-wrapped details, and antique Oaxacan textiles.

“The design for RED O draws inspiration from the casual yet sexy spirit of Tulum and that easy living vibe that blends California ease with the flavors of Mexican Beach style —layered with textures, patterns and romance and a sexy glow from woven lanterns,” says Bullard. “We used caba cloth, a fabric made from wood pulp, woven rattan, rope-wrapped elements, and antique Oaxacan textiles to create a setting that’s both exotic and inviting. The entry alone, designed to mimic the weave of a traditional Mexican blanket, sets the tone for an experience that is as transportive as it is delicious.” 

Photo courtesy of Red O

Guests enter through a dramatic tequila tunnel lined with glowing bottles of the Mexican spirit before arriving at a dining room complete with a rope-wrapped bar, lush greenery created by Thomas Diehl of The Living Canvas, a custom lantern-lit plaster tree, and a bespoke boho mural.

That’s vacation feeling is matched by the menu, which blends traditional Mexican family recipes with innovative twists to create unforgettable dishes. Riffing off of Oaxacan-style cooking, it brings in flavor and techniques from all over Mexico. Start with the Alacrán Margarita, featuring house-made serrano chile agave, or the Cocorita, a tropical margarita served in a fresh young coconut. Don’t forget to order at least one of the restaurant’s signature dishes: the Surf & Turf Tablita features a 32oz tomahawk steak, a one pound lobster tail, scratch-made guacamole, red rice, beans, and fresh-pressed tortillas; the Branzino Zarandeado drenches a whole grilled branzino in chile-citrus soy butter and surrounds it with heirloom tomatoes. Rounding out the offerings are an extensive tequila collection and an award-winning wine list.

Photo courtesy of Red O

RED O in The Promenade at Westlake, 120 Promenade Way, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362. Open Sunday – Thursday, 3 pm to 10 pm and Friday and Saturday 3 pm to 11 pm.