Category Archives: Joey Stewart

Seafood is the heartbeat of Puerto Cocina, a restaurant that looks west to the Pacific coast of Mexico rather than north to the familiar Tex-Mex traditions that dominate Dallas. The cooking takes its cues from Baja California, where citrus, chiles, and impeccably fresh seafood define the table. It’s a style that feels breezy and coastal—lighter, brighter, and a little unexpected for the Design District.

The restaurant comes from restaurateurs Mauricio Gallegos and Gerardo Barrera, the team behind Xaman Café and Ayahuasca Cantina. For Puerto Cocina they teamed up with consulting chef Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman, whose approach blends deep Mexican roots with contemporary technique. The result is a menu built around seafood, crudos, and sharp coastal flavors that wake up the palate.