Tempo Urban Kitchen is a Taste Sensation
Three Chefs and one amazing meal at Tempo Urban Kitchen in Brea, California!
As I walked through the doors of Tempo Urban Kitchen I felt as if I was transported to a completely different place. The vibe was funky and fun. It made total sense given the tagline of this gastro delight is “March to Your Own Beat.”
As we walk in the door we see a display of beautiful bottles with a backdrop of what certainly is a fun bar. We look around the roomy restaurant which offers privates tables, booths, a communal table and an outdoor patio. We see an open kitchen, a private liquor cabinet where guests can house their private stash and a wall of wine.
Our tour guide for the evening is Food Network Star, Chef Chris Tzorin.
Tempo Urban Kitchen offers a farm to table dining experience.
Fresh ingredients are prepared in unique ways driven by the chefs rather than a cookie cutter formula.
This magic formula is brought to Tempo Urban Kitchen by Founder and CEO, Jorge Cueva. Jorge has a long history in the restaurant business. He has worked all aspects of busboy all the way to a business owner. He is proof positive that dreams can come true.
Jorge’s dream for Tempo Urban Kitchen was to bring together the hottest cooking talent. He is excited to allow them to shine. One of a kind dishes will allow the diner to delight in mouthwatering results. His dream has turned into a reality with Chef’s Chris Tzorin, Charly Perez, and Salvador Carrillo Barron.
I had been looking forward to this night for weeks. I knew I would be in for a treat. We were not disappointed. My plus one was extra excited due to his love of trying new foods.
We were first treated to Tajin Rimmed Mango Margarita’s. Serrano infused tequila is the key ingredient in this unique drink.
Grilled Octopus with micro greens, lime crema, serrano sauce and chipotle mayo followed. It was tender, delicious and cooked to perfection by Chef Chris.
Chef Jorge’s Deconstructed Taco was up next. Korean inspired braised pork belly topped with red cabbage kimchi offered a beautiful deconstruction. Thinly sliced mango was served alongside the pork belly. The mango, in fact, looked as if it was a noodle. The hubby loved the pork belly.
Chef Sal presented Slow Cooked Short Ribs to us. “Vegan Caviar” a.k.a. mustard seeds topped the ribs. Pickled carrots wrapped in New York Style Serrano Ham accompanied the ribs. Many diners could not decide what was better…the short ribs or the carrots.
A Hickory Smoked Old Fashioned was the special before dessert treat.
Prepared tableside is our incredible dessert. Liquid nitrogen, a Kitchen Aid and lots of hand cranking are key to this process that offers us Ginger Infused Ice Cream.
Check out Tempo Urban Kitchen on Instagram for more pictures. Visit Chef Salvador Carrillo at 1060 Imperial Highway, Brea, CA 92821. Be sure to check in on Facebook to get FREE Fish Ceviche or Taquitos.
Chef Chris Tzorin will open Tempo Anaheim Hills. Chef Charly will open Tempo Valle de Guadalupe.
17 thoughts on “Tempo Urban Kitchen is a Taste Sensation”
It is very useful and informative. Thank you for sharing
Hi Dr Elise,
This is so awesome! Love it the food looks great, too bad is so far from where I am. But who knows maybe one day I’ll pay a visit 😉
Thank you for sharing!
You would love Southern California. There is so much to do and eat 🙂
YUM! Photo’s are mouth watering. Looks like a lovely, interesting, colorful, and friendly place for a meal 🙂 Great seeing you as well …
It was definitely interesting and fun. Thank you.
I have never been to an open kitchen restaurant, but this sounds divine. I keep promising myself a ‘homemade ice-cream treat’. That Tajin Rimmed Mango Margarita is calling my name.
That Margarita was beyond anything you would expect. The open kitchens are fun. It is nice to see the chef at work as well as to see the cleanliness of the food prep areas.
The margaritas are making me want one now !!! This isn’t too far to go visit !! Short ribs look tender too!! Now I am hungry. Darn it !!
You should absolutely check it out. There are always interesting things to try.
Elise,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about Tempo Urban Kitchen.
For me, not located in California, it helps me know about this great place before a potential visit. And, knowing you’ve spent time there makes me want to visit too!
The Tajin Rimmed Mango Margarita look delicious as does the food – For friends in that area, I’ll send them to this post to take a look before venturing there.
Yum!
~Keri
Keri –
Thank you. I just adore exploring new restaurants and travel destinations. I would simply love it if you came to California and you absolutely should try Tempo Urban Kitchen.
Thank you for sharing. It is always appreciated.
I went to a Mexican restaurant a few years ago and it was the first time I’d had a glass with liqueur and sugar around the rim. It was divine! I also love open kitchens, it’s great to see the chefs working their magic! So glad you had a superb experience!
Enjoy the journey!
Thank you so much. I love being able to see everything that is going on behind the scenes so an open kitchen concept is absolutely a favorite for me too.
Tajin Rimmed Mango Margaritas look so good
Not to thrilled with the Octopus. Pork belly with mango slices mmm. Short ribs and carrots wrapped in ham sound wonderful. I have never had an old fashioned and the ginger icecream made by hand must have been delicious.
Wonderful post on this restaurant The pictures were very cool. I see the restaurant is in Brea? Would that be some part of California?
Thank you for that question..it made me go back and edit my post to include that important tidbit of information that Brea is in California.
There was an array of food choice and also an array of food tasters which was great so that there was something for everyone.
Omg, I am totally in love with the farm fresh food. Where is it? We definitely need more wholesome and awesome places like this.
I agree completely. This one is in Brea, California.