The appetizer menu at Costa Mesa presents dishes meant to be shared and celebrated. Standouts include Clásico Guacamole, with avocado, lime, serrano, onion, cilantro, and a dusting of chile-con-limón; Elote Asado, grilled off-the-cob corn with morita aioli and cotija; Choriqueso Verde, green chorizo, poblanos, and melted cheeses; Ceviche Tropicalwith sea bass and mango; and Ceviche Campechano, combining shrimp, octopus, and white fish in a tangy marinade. These starters carry brightness, texture, and regionally inspired complexity, setting the tone for deeper dishes. They work perfectly for sharing, grazing, or beginning a thoughtful dinner with friends, highlighting Descanso’s flair for balance and depth from the first bite.