La Calenda takes its name from a Oaxacan parade that traditionally kicks-off weddings, graduations and other community celebrations. True to its festive inspiration, the restaurant is a cheerful gathering place that fosters a spirit of togetherness.
La Calenda combines traditional food and fixtures in a family-friendly environment. Drawing on fresh and artisanal ingredients, and employing traditional cooking methods, the restaurant features dishes from Oaxaca while casting a glance across a range of Mexican regional cuisines.
La Calenda marries its menu with an ambitious beverage program, punctuated by a full-service bar specializing in tequilas and mezcals, beer, and local wines selected in partnership with the Mexican-American Vintner’s Association (MAVA), a nonprofit association in Napa Valley that partners with Latino vintners and winemakers. La Calenda also offers a number of wines from Mexico, including varietals from the Valley of Guadalupe and the Santo Tomás Valley.
With a colorful collection of accents, the restaurant’s design and decor provide a fitting backdrop for the cuisine. To create La Calenda’s visual identity, Thomas Keller Restaurant Group’s Chief Creative Officer, Laura Cunningham collaborated with Los Angeles graphic designer Jesse Rodriguez-Cabrera on the logo and other graphic elements, and Dallas-based event designer Todd Fiscus to create the interiors, sourcing textiles, furniture and tiles from traditional craftspeople in Mexico.
La Calenda is a place for all occasions, accommodating everything from planned celebrations to casual sit-down dinners, drinks at the bar and last-minute take out meals.