It was Date Night for the wife and me on a Thursday night and we decided to spend it on the Strip at Fontainebleau for a much-anticipated dinner at Cantina Contramar. We both love Mexican food and were excited about the opening of Cantina Contramar from renowned Mexican chef Gabriela Cámara' bringing her seafood-focused Mexican fare to Las Vegas. We had reservations for 5:30 and were seated immediately in the warmly-lit, high-ceilinged, open dining room. We started off with drinks while we looked over the menu. I had an interesting cocktail, the Madre Tierra, made with El Tesoro Blanco tequila, raicilla, tamarindo, agave, citrus, sage, and egg whites to kick off our meal. There were notes that I'm guessing were coming from the raicilla, an agave-based spirit, that I'm not terribly familiar with and the tamarand. My drink was balanced, bright, and unique in its flavor combination, which I found to be outstanding. For our food, we selected only items identified as "Cantina Contramar Classics" on the menu figuring that they're considered signature items for a reason. We shared an order of the Ceviche Contramar. We received an ample amount of high quality, fresh fish (sorry, I don't remember what type) balanced by the perfect amount of acidity. It was a great start to our meal. Next up, we shared the Tacos de Pescado Al Pastor. Given the vertical spit cooking method for traditional al pastor meats, I'm very curious on how the fish was prepared. Each of the three tacos were topped with good-sized chunks of fish (once again, I forgot to note what type of fish it was, but it most certainly wasn't Tilapia) was moist and flaky, and perfectly sauced served on wonderful fresh corn tortillas made in-house. It was my favorite fish taco that I've ever had preferring it far more to any fried fish version. The highlight of our amazing meal was the Pescado a La Talla Contramar, a whole, grilled Rockfish served family-style topped with both a red adobo sauce and a parsley rub. It came with a bowl of refried black beans and a more of the fresh made corn tortillas. The fish was grilled to perfection and both the red and green sauces, which were contrasts in styles, nicely complemented the fish without overpowering it. It was an excellent dish to both the eyes and the palate. We accompanied our food with a couple of glasses of wine. Cantina Contramar's list of wines by the glass included both a red and a white from Mexico for under $20 a glass, which I found to be very reasonable since you don't always find Mexican wines on restaurant wine lists by the bottle let alone by the glass in both red and white. We thought the red paired very nicely with the grilled fish with the green sauce and the white with the fish in the red adobo sauce. For me, Cantina Contramar lived up to the hype and my expectations. I'm certainly a novice in the wide range of Mexican cuisine, but I'm savvy enough to know what I like and I really enjoyed Cantina Contramar. Our overall experience from the food and drink to service and atmosphere was outstanding. Shout out to Joshua, our service lead, who was excellent. Cantina Contramar is definitely on my list for a return visit. read more

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This restaurant is one of the highest recommended Mexican restaurants on the Las Vegas strip. It definitely did not disappoint As for the food and beverage, the drinks we ordered were the Horchata with Hennessy and the Jamaica Mezcal. The horchata were perfect with a minimal alcohol flavor and sweet creaminess. The Jamaica Mezcal wasn't my personal favorite but I consider that to be more of a matter of taste rather than quality. It was quite tart and smokey with an aftertaste of umami due to the wine salt. Very much a savory cocktail. The dishes we ordered were outstanding. The Aguachiles Negro de Res were very different from your standard aguachiles, served with a carpaccio style domestic wagyu. The Queso Fundido with added Chorizo were eaten with fresh, house-made corn tortillas and salsa roja. The Carne Asada Tacos were also made with domestic wagyu, as well as charbroiled green onions and salsa verde (more similar to a chimichurri might I note). All three dishes were outstandingly flavorful, expertly cooked, and beautifully plated. As for the desserts, we ordered the Caramel Cheese Flan, the Strawberry Meringue Cake, and the Pie Frito de Manzana. It was my friend's birthday so they put a candle on the meringue cake plate. All three desserts were amazing. The artistry exhibited through these pastry skills is hard to ignore. The service and ambience were incredible. The table was set with beautiful plates and cutlery, as well as pickled carrots, pickled onions, and creamy salsa verde. My friend and I waited patiently but eagerly as each server promptly explained the dishes they presented to us. They gave us new cutlery and plates when needed. The music and lighting in the dining room set the mood quite well: modern and elegant yet quite indistinguishable from its culture. read more

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I've never been to MEX but have heard so much of this restaurant before it came to Vegas so I obviously have never been to the original but my visit just makes me think the food is nothing close to the original. None of the food was bad, but none of the food was great. Everything had fresh ingredients and the was cooked well as in right texture but dishes were just very bland. Mexican food is known for its robust flavors and spices/salsas and cantina got the Vegasified treatment. Ceviche was fresh and generous enough portions. It came with parsnips which IMO did not add anything to the taste. I feel like they added that to make the dish look more full because they are the same size and color as the snapper. I thought it was bland be cause you could barely taste citrus and it had zero spice to balance it out. There wasnt even jalapeno in it. Skip Wagyu tacos. Most value. The meat was cooked perfectly but just not as buttery/fatty flavor that good wagyu usually has. The accompanying verde sauce also was bland. Pulpos is good if you are a fan of octopus. Comes with 2 pieces of bread. Again cooked well like the other dishes but bland. Couldve used literally any spice to elevate it. For drinks I ordered the horchata espresso and I honestly dont know why. Did not taste any hint of coffee. I wish I got dessert instead because its the same price ($15) Service was fantastic. Very attentive hosts, bartenders, bussers. Was able to walkin in at 6pm on a weekday before a concert. First ones there but filled up fast. Dining room was already completely booked when we got there. Its a beautiful restaurant and you can see the tortillas being made and open kitchen. Overall I wasnt looking for "spicy" food but I think the restaurant caters to the American palate. I used bland way too many times but thats the best way to describe it. I didnt think to ask but if you ask for other salsas or sauces i feel like they would give or make you one lol. If you are not staying at the hotel I recommend Bajamar which is actually closeby for seafood and ceviche. read more

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Amazing time at Cocina Contramar. The food, the drinks, the ambiance and the service, all top tier. Our server John was incredible. Thank you for the amazing hospitality. read more

Cantina Contramar - Seafood Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

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I have been to the Mexico City location twice and was so excited when this opened. We ordered the fish that is their specialty. It was huge and fed three of us with fish to spare. We made tacos out of them and the salsas came with it really complimented it. Service was good, vibes were good. It was 10/10. read more

Cantina Contramar - Seafood Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

The Mexico City exclusive arrives to Las Vegas! If you haven't eaten here then you're missing out! We had the ceviche, Wagyu tacos, short rib, and carne asada plate and every dish was perfectly crafted. Service was great! Seating is limited so I advise to make reservations well in advance! Ambiance was a nice dinner setting, dimly lit with tasteful music! read more

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A must try when you are in Vegas! I love Mexico City cuisine and this place did not disappoint. Amazing cocktails, food and overall vibes! The tuna tostada is a must have, the fideo and prawns - OMG so good. Tamarindo cocktail- DELICIOUS! Highly recommend this place. read more

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I really don't have worlds to describe the amazing experience we had a Cantina Contramar for dinner last night in the FB. From the moment we were greeted and directed to our booth the staff were spot on. You have to get the ceviche and the two flavor Mexican Rockfish. I have eaten in every state in Mexico and California and by far this is the greatest meal I have ever had. If there is any place in Vegas you have to eat it's here, no questions asked. The inside of the restaurant is vibrant, welcoming and the aromas of heaven are all around. Kudos and cheers to Gabriela Cámara for creating and building a little piece of Mexican heaven at the FB! She has outdone herself from top to bottom. I actually might have to eat here again tonight before we go to our show. 2 Michelin stars should be awarded immediately! Wishing Gabriela and her Cantina Contramar family great health, prosperity and ultimate success as I now feel part of this family after our experience. Que dios los bendiga siempre! read more

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I had the occasion to visit Contramar on the 8th day it was open. The service was amazing. Every detail was thought of. The plates, although small, left us full. We actually ordered one too many items. We started off with the ceviche and the sopes which were both amazing. We had the whole fish; the tuna tacos; the tortilla soup; the meat tacos and the guac. My favorite was the crab tacos. I would go back just for these. The restaurant was lively but not too loud. Decor was simple and elegant. A wonderful experience all around. Cannot wait to go back! Also has me wanting to go to Mexico City to visit it's sister restaruant. Well done! read more

Cantina Contramar - Ceviche and Sopes - Seafood Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

I'm rounding everything up to a 4 this experience started off as a 1 and ended as a 4-5, so I'm rounding up. The biggest issue we had is that our 8:45 reservation simply wasn't honored, and we weren't seated until after 9:35. We walked up a few minutes late at 8:49 and were told it would be a wait which I understood somewhat, because we were late by about 4 minutes. 10 minutes, fine, nearly an hour, not fine. The hosts seemed possibly inexperienced or misdirected by management and kept pushing us to sit at the bar instead. Once we were finally seated, the staff did a great job trying to shift the tone of our experience. The FOH manager and our server were very kind and warm and did their best to make things right. The drinks were fine, food is definitely the highlight here. The crudo de camaron is excellent, as were the tuna toastadas. We also really enjoyed the Pescado a la Veracruzana. Skip the short rib, and the crab tostada is only ok. What we learned from this is to trust our server because the recommendations from him were the best parts of our meal. I really appreciate the efforts from the staff to make sure we had a great time after a frustrating start to our night. While I would give this place another shot, I wouldn't do so if I were bringing clients to a dinner (frequent Vegas activity for me) or if I were coordinating a large group of any kind. The manager seems great and I hope he can continue to work with the rest of the staff to make this experience a premium one, reflecting the price point. read more

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Israel is our AWESOME waiter and this restaurant is INCREDIBLE! I am a huge fan of the excellent service which is so personalized and beyond! Each dish is better than the next and the ceviche is intricately prepared with the freshest fish and best sauce!! My octopus is so tender and the potato cubes are perfectly seasoned. Bf had carne asada and he loved every bite. Our tequila drinks are perfectly crafted and so creative! 5 stars for the perfect meal at the Fountainbleu in Las Vegas! Did I mention the beautiful decor reminiscent of Mexico City?!? read more

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Our uber ride was delayed and we were so worried that we would miss our reservation. I called a few times letting them know we were coming. I'm glad I did, as we literally ran all the way to the restaurant. The service was amazing, the food was great, ambiance was on point. We had: Caesar Salad, Shrimp with Olive Oil and Garlic, Short rib (mine), Carne Asada, Waygu and Fish Tacos. Everything was amazing. My short rib was melt in your mouth good! For dessert, we had the Strawberry Shortcake and Churros Apple Dessert! Yum!!! I liked both, but I think the apple dessert was slightly more flavorful. We will be back! read more

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Had a lovely experience here for my friend's birthday celebration. The restaurant had a nice vibe and not too loud. They even have a private room to dine in if you want more privacy. We ordered several things to share and mostly everything was delicious. The staff were attentive and the head chef even came by our table to greet us. read more

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Didn't get to try the original Contramar in CDMX but I was so excited to hear that this location was opening up at the Fontainebleau. Came here with a group of 7 for my bday & we all enjoyed our time & of course the food! Restaurant decor was pretty simple compared to other more elaborate places on the strip, but also further emphasized the quality of the food. All the staff were friendly and a nice touch was meeting the chef herself Gabriela Camara! Since it was a larger group, it was recommended to order about 3 dishes per person so we were able to share & try a good variety of their menu. Seafood tasted fresh & light. Sauces were all so complex & delicious. Tortillas were handmade on site & it showed. - coctel vuelve à la vida - crudo de camarones - ceviche contramar - tacos de pescado al pastor (3 per order): a fun take on halibut prepared as al pastor - tacos de gaoneras (3 per order): meat was tender & juicy - queso fundido: such a simple dish but so comforting - ensalada de nopales: loved the freshness & crunch - pescado à la talla contramar: 1/2 came in red adobo sauce & the other 1/2 was a parsley rub, which I enjoyed a little more - camote a las brasas: this one was delicious & so unique; really enjoyed the bone marrow salsa - rajas con crema: a straightforward creamy side We opted for 3 dessert to share: (don't have the official names) the flan, meringue & apple churro. I'd say I'd get the meringue & apple churro one again. Overall, great experience & worth a try with a big group! read more

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Such a beautiful restaurant. Reminded me of Mexico City. It was very busy Saturday night. We had to wait a while to order. I ordered the tuna tostada to start. Tasted fresh and light. I added the salsa roja and verde. It was okay, I preferred the CDMX Contramar tuna tostada. I also tried the el pastor tacos. This al pastor fish taco tasted exactly like the Contramar in CDMX. Delicious. I shared the Chamorro and it was huge! Very flavorful. I made tacos with the corn tortillas, cilantro, union and salsas. As we ate the waitress told us to try the Chamorro with the flour tortillas. I am so glad I listened to her. The BEST flour tortillas I have had in years! Reminded me of my childhood. If I could just buy those tortillas, I would be a happy girl. That was a highlight for me. I was very full afterwards. The waitress brought us a sweet surprise which was a meringue with strawberries. A very nice gesture. I will be back next time I am in Vegas! read more

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Had a wonderful taste of Mexico City in Vegas this weekend. We have long seen and heard of this amazing place in Mexico only to find they brought this to the Fountainbleu. The pescado Al la talle was fantastic mixing both sides together for fantastic homemade tacos. The Atun Tostadas were an excellent starter along with the Caesar's salad. You have to try the fried apple pie! Service was excellent attentive. The Negroni was a perfect pairing read more

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When the chef herself is walking the dining room, you already know you chose the right place. We came here to celebrate my husband's birthday, and this ended up being one of the most memorable dining experiences we've had in Las Vegas. The space is stunning--upscale with a vibrant coastal Mexico energy that feels both refined and lively. The signature fish wall is a showstopper and sets the tone the moment you walk in. The food was exceptional. Everything tasted fresh, bright, and intentional. The seafood is clearly the star--perfectly cooked with bold citrus, balanced heat, and rich flavor without being heavy. The fideo-style seafood dish was incredible--deep, savory, and satisfying while still feeling light. Even the salsas and small accompaniments were next level (don't skip them--they elevate everything). Cocktails were just as impressive--well-balanced, not overly sweet, and thoughtfully crafted. Excellent tequila and mezcal selection for anyone who appreciates agave spirits. But what truly made the night unforgettable was the hospitality. We had the absolute pleasure of meeting Gabriela Cámara, who was personally making her way around the dining room and greeting guests--including us. She was incredibly gracious, warm, and genuinely present. That level of care is rare, and it made our birthday celebration feel even more special. You can feel her influence in every detail--from the food to the energy of the room--and it shows. This wasn't just dinner--it was an experience. Highly recommend for date nights, celebrations, or anyone looking for elevated Mexican cuisine done right in Las Vegas. We'll absolutely be back. read more

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We got a chance to have dinner the night of the Grand Opening! A fine dining experience with flavors that had depth. Ambiance - Warm and light wood mixed with different textures of stones and tiles. Gold and navy blue accents. It was beautiful. Service- We felt well taken care of from the beginning to the end of service. The Manager was amazing. She broke down the menu and gave us the wonderful history behind the chef's choices. Loved it! The multiple servers we met throughout the evening were kind and attentive. Food - Everything was fresh, well seasoned, and you can tell they took their time with preparation. I had the Guacamole, Ensalada de Nopales, and Tacos de Hongos. All were very good and vegan friendly. For the Nopales, you joust need to ask to remove the queso fresco. To drink, I had the Ocaso and I loved the smokiness to the Rum. All were 5/5 stars . Overall, this was a first class experience that everyone should experience at least once! read more

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Gabriela Cámara's newest restaurant in Las Vegas at the Fountainebleau! Very exciting and upscale Mexican food in a beautiful atmosphere. The portions are modest so if your looking for excess then you may want to try another spot. The food here is refined and highlights Chef Gabriela's viewpoint. I really enjoyed the Ceviche appetizer here. Service was friendly and attentive. Would come back to try more items! read more

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Not a bad experience at Cantina Contramar, but nothing was really memorable, considering the price point. Upon entering, the restaurant looks pretty and big, but once inside it felt slightly cold and uninviting. High quality ingredients, but the dishes still lacked flavor. Our favorite was the wagyu tacos which were juicy and tender. We were disappointed in the tostadas as they were pretty small for $22. We also ordered the Pescado a La Veracruz. We're happy we tried it, but the flavor wasn't anything special and we kept having to pick the bones out of our mouths. This dish came with four tortillas, which we ended up asking for more, but just wish it came with more to begin with as it's a lot of fish. On the side, we were given a green salsa which made the dishes taste better. A lot of Contramar's dishes are seafood based so understandably, portions are small, but it would have been nice if there had been more sides like rice or beans. For dessert, we ordered the fried apple pie which was very good! It had a churro-like sugar coating and was a nice way to end off the dinner. Service was awkward, but I figured it's because it's still a very new restaurant. Our server still gave us good recommendations and I'm glad we followed them! read more

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Cantina Contramar exceeded every expectation and gave us the perfect girls' night out! From the moment we walked in, the service was warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. Every recommendation was spot-on, and the staff made us feel like VIPs all evening. The food was absolutely incredible. We started with the fresh guacamole, oysters, ceviche, and the unforgettable Aguachile Negro de Res. The short rib was rich and flavorful, the Carne Asada Tacos Gaoneras were packed with flavor, and the Quesadillas Fritas were dangerously delicious. The Sopa de Tortilla was comforting and beautifully prepared. the carne asada was perfection. We somehow saved room for dessert, and we're so glad we did. The flan was silky and delicious, and the banana dessert was the perfect sweet ending to an amazing meal. Beautiful atmosphere, outstanding food, exceptional service, and the perfect place to catch up with friends. We left happy, full, and already planning our next visit. Cantina Contramar is a must-visit in Las Vegas! We got so lucky to have the same server as my first time here on date night with my husband and he was absolutely outstanding! Thank you Jorge!the somm Tony was amazing too can't wait to bring the rest of the family to fall in love with this place too! We're definitely coming back read more

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Second time at Cantina Contramar, first was at Contramar Mexico City location. Still really solid. Aguachile was a standout again, and the rockfish had a nice twist. Service was great (shoutout Alberto) and made the whole meal easy and enjoyable. read more

Cantina Contramar - Shrimp - Seafood Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

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Service and food were both delicious. The two colored fish is the star here and is large enough to easily be shared by 2-3 people. The waiters are all super attentive and it's a lively environment with good music. The rajas con cream was a good complement to the fish. read more

Great overall experience that was overshadowed slightly by a key menu item falling short. +++ Mixology/cocktails are 100%. Old fashioned, cucumber thingie, mezcal/hibiscus thingie, and margarita were all delicious. +++ Appetizers that were delicious: Nopales salad, caesar salad, tacos de ganoeras, quesadillas, aguachile de camaron (shrimp) - the salsa macha is great on these shrimp. All recommended and would re-order in a heartbeat. Every item had great flavor - tender steak, well seasoned salads, and the cheesy goodness of the quesadillas. Super fresh tasting and well balanced aguachile with crispy tostadas. ---- Pescado a la talla. As some other reviewers have noted, the fish itself is not outstanding in either flavor or seeming quality. The green and red sauces don't seem to add anything more than just color. Could use some finishing salt when presented. The sauces might need to be retooled to provide some....any....flavor. Luckily we got plenty of tortillas, so we didn't have to order more or get charged for tortillas! ----- Enmoladas. Chicken was quite dry. The mole sauce itself was good but could not save the dish. Quite a simple presentation and taste for a very high price point for four mediocre enchiladas. Overall, would definitely return. Its unfortunate that their "star" dish is lackluster but there are plenty of menu items to piece together a wonderful meal. read more

Food is good ordered beef, rock fish, shrimp ceviche, Caesar salad is really good. Service is speckless. Salsa is not quite spicy enough for me. The only thing is that the two people tables are a little too close together that everyone is checking out everyone else's food and starting a conversation. read more

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Our server Damien was phenomenal! He walked us through the origins of the restaurant, which drinks pair with which foods, which foods to start with and why. All of the food we had was amazing. Would come back just for Damiens service! read more

I cannot remember the last time I dined at a newly opened restaurant in Las Vegas. There is always something opening here but to dine in on opening night was special. The space is beautiful and it overwhelming. The service was top tier. It felt like every member of the staff came and checked on us constantly and made sure we had exactly what we needed. The menu consist of seafood and other meat options incorporated for that vegas flare. The traditional Mexico City way is just seafood so that extra touch was nice. The drink menu has traditional Mexico City cocktails on the right but the left side are cocktails they made specifically for Las Vegas. You could tell with each dish that the flavors were well thought out and prepared in a way to couple with whatever else you ordered. I loved this experience and will definitely be back, there are lots of things on the menu to try. read more

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Ceviche. Wow Wagyu tacos: unreal must have The famous fish: be carful, it has bones. But, delish. Tuna taco: ok, go for it The green pepper and corn side: the best thing I've ever had Delish ... don't get the michilada. Terrible. But wow. Over All. Wow. read more

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Best Mexican food on the strip! Service was amazing! It's not heavy with cheese and oil. Wagu taco, Tuna tostado and the strawberry whipcream dessert were so good I woke up thinking about them! Can't wait to go back. 10/10! read more

We were here for the grand opening night and it was absolutely amazing. For food was exactly like I remembered in Mexico City. The menu offers a great balance of authentic flavors and modern presentation. The ingredients taste fresh, and you can tell there's a strong attention to detail in both the food and the overall experience. The salsa verde was like drops of heaven. The atmosphere is vibrant making it a great spot for both casual dinners and special occasions. Service was awesome as well. We also got to meet Chef Gabriella. read more

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Came here expecting it to be as good as the Mexico City location, and we left really disappointed. The food wasn't even close in flavor or quality, and the prices were nearly double. Honestly, even by Vegas standards, the prices felt very high for what you get. The only thing that tasted like the original was the meringue cake. Everything else fell short. Overall, it just wasn't worth it. There are so many better dining options in Vegas. I'd skip this one. read more

I have come three times because it's THAT good! You have to get the wagyu tacos, Michelin star for a reason! One of the best things I've had, as well as the tuna tostada. Drinks are delicious and so are the desserts. The fried apple pie is the best. Super friendly/attentive staff and a beautiful restaurant! Josh and Jessica are amazing def worth it!!! read more

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Edgar the GM is amazing! One of the reasons we always come back. Food, ambiance and service are off the charts!! Must try the Branzino. Make sure you share it! :) read more

After my wife and I heard this is a famous restaurant from Mexico City, we thought of Quintonil, Pujol or Sud777, Michelin and 50 Best restaurants we have been at. Turns out this is just overpriced Mexican food, not even close to Michelin or 50 Best. The food is fresher and better than at your Mexican Restaurant down the street, but 4 to 5 times the price for it, when it is barely double as good? Service was good, Ambience was ok (its one big room), price was not. $300 for two (incl tax, tip, parking) for 2 drinks, tacos, ceviche, tostada, guacomole and fish? read more

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If I could give more than 5 stars, I would. Contina Contramar absolutely delivered--from the food to the energy to the service. First off, shoutout to Esteban, who genuinely made the experience. He struck that perfect balance of being attentive without hovering, gave great recommendations, and clearly knew the menu inside and out. You can tell when someone actually cares about you having a good time versus just turning tables--and Esteban was the former. The food? Unreal. Everything tasted fresh, vibrant, and thoughtfully put together. You can tell they're not cutting corners here--every dish felt intentional, not just thrown on a plate to look pretty. And somehow, the vibe of the place manages to feel both lively and relaxed at the same time, which isn't easy to pull off. If you're on the fence about going, don't be. And if you go, ask for Esteban--he'll take care of you. Already planning my next visit. read more

Cantina Contramar - Seafood Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

Great food, excellent service, and a beautiful atmosphere. Everything was delicious. We'll definitely be back!

The flan was to die for. Get the steak tacos. You won't regret coming here. They even comped champagne but we weren't drinking so they comped guac instead. Such a great dinner with great vibes. read more

I've dined at every restaurant at Fontainebleau and this is by far my least favorite. In fact, it's the only one I don't like and won't return to. I visited about three weeks after they opened and made a reservation. I arrived on time, earlier than later, and saw three women at the reception stand. One was on the phone (for the entire five minutes I stood there) and never looked up. The other two apparently were reacting to the Invisible Man spray I spread over my entire body at age 6 and never saw me. Finally, the phone-talker asked my name and told me I would be seated promptly. OK, that finally happened, minus the promptly part. (I forgot to say this was shortly after the place had opened for the evening so it was not crowded at all and I was the only customer FOH at the time.) I'm not enjoying the experience right off the bat. Everything was unremarkable as I perused the menu. Ordered the ceviche. It was good, not to die for, but good. For my entree, I was interested in the pescado a la veracruzana, which I had read was one of the special specialties. I asked the waitress what the pescado was, which stumped her (c'mon, who is managing this mediocre joint?). She scrunched her face a bit, apparently trying to reach into her memory banks to find the answer, and finally said, "Halibut." I love halibut. I was excited to hear halibut -- especially since I knew the season had just opened and I was certain that a high-class, super-hyped eatery like this over-publicized space would have fresh halibut. So! I ordered it. It took f o r e v e r to arrive, at which point the server proudly announced, "Here is your red snapper." (OK, now this place officially sucks). I would never order red snapper. Anywhere. There really is no such thing as red snapper, as those of us who actually know red snapper and are well-schooled about the red snapper bait-and-switch in most restaurants are aware (you're welcome for the pun). No. I didn't send it back. I have only sent back two items in my entire dining career and just have a thing about sending things back (besides, trashing overblown joints like Cantina Contramar is satisfying enough). So I consumed the entire mushy, bland, extraordinarily uninteresting slop in front of me, because I was really hungry especially after waiting so very long for the plate to arrive. I wouldn't put it past this eatery to serve tilapia. The greater the pretension, the haughtier the lies, y'know. At no point did I get sick, which accounts for the second star in my review. For the price and the hype, I will continue to enjoy myself thoroughly at Ito (which is ridiculously expensive, but they treat *everybody* there with high regard and respect and are genuinely happy to serve you. And you can never doubt the honesty, professionalism or seafood quality, as you should at CC). For another recommendation, especially if the reader loves fresh (and often unusual) seafood, check out Chyna Club. They're known for their Peking Duck, but make no mistake, Chyna Club is an unrecognized jewel at Fontainebleau and everything there is outstanding. It's a shame that Chyna Club has to share the same initials as cantina contramar. read more

We were really looking forward to celebrating our son's birthday at Cantina Contramar. The service was good overall, although the staff repeatedly took our menus away before we were finished with them because they didn't want anything spilled on them. It felt a bit odd and left us wondering how expensive a paper menu could be. Unfortunately, the food was very hit or miss. My mole chicken dish was incredibly bland and lacked flavor. Our son's fish entrée was covered with so much sauce that it completely overwhelmed and ruined the fish underneath. The highlight of the meal was the Wagyu taco appetizer, which was excellent. We were also disappointed that there was no acknowledgment of our son's birthday, especially since that was the reason for our visit. Overall, the experience fell short of our expectations, and unfortunately, we won't be returning. read more

We had an excellent dinner on August 3rd. Our server, Austin, was incredibly attentive and demonstrated an impressive knowledge of the entire menu. The service was flawless, and we thoroughly enjoyed the restaurant's ambience. We look forward to returning and will certainly be recommending this spot to our friends. read more