Foodies eagerly anticipated the opening of Red O, a restaurant featuring Mexican cuisine and a menu crafted by none other than famed Chicago chef and TV personality, Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill, Topolobampo).

Although not an owner, this is Bayless’ first venture outside the Chicago area, where he created the menu, designed the kitchen, and trained the staff. Luckily there’s an all-star team running the day-to-day operations. Executive Chef Michael Brown (of Patina Group and Wolfgang Puck Catering), will be the man behind the kitchen, while Jorge Pultera, (late of such celeb-hotspots as Koi and The Ivy), will serve as vice-president of operations.

Once inside you’ll take notice of the dramatic décor (by Dodd Mitchell Design and G+ Gulla Jonsdottir Design), which features an open dining courtyard with two 14-foot chandeliers hand-made by Mexican artisans. Travel through a glass tunnel into the Tequila Lounge, where you can sprawl by a 25-foot-long fireplace and a pool of floating candles while sampling premium tequilas. Other inspired accents include a fire-spewing birdbath, leather swing seating, and garage doors with bronze-tinted glass.

When you’re done ogling the surroundings, a vast menu with a mix of traditional Mexican fare and Cal-Mex dishes is ready for the tasting. With entrees like the Shredded Creekstone Beef Short Rib Sopes (think tender beef, cheese, and roasted tomato-chili dressing), and the Pollo en Mole Poblano (chicken topped with homemade mole poblano and black beans), choosing what to try may be tricky. And even though you’ll likely be stuffed, it’s hard to imagine you’d pass up desserts like the Creamy Goat Cheese Cheesecake and the Golden and Crispy Empenadas… Are you drooling yet?

Los Angeles is never short of Mexican eateries, but with a menu this inventive and furnishings that will make you want to linger, Red O is a standout.

8155 Melrose Ave. (just west of Crescent Heights Boulevard), Los Angeles. Phone: 323-655-5009.