I don't give five stars very often, but this was a very special and unique meal. My niece has eaten hair and she highly recommended it so we made reservations for 5 PM. We were warmly greeted and we're happy. It was on the quiet side since they weren't busy yet. By the time we left, it was busy! We really enjoyed our server, Paris. He was warm and seemed to take a general interest in us. I shared my concerns with him that my pallet doesn't tolerate much spicy. He at all. He assured me there would be no problem in accommodating that. He started us off with a complementary prickly pear & lemonade drink which we loved! He also provided a complementary appetizer which was very unique and made out of avocado and mascarpone and some other items I don't remember. Why I didn't love it, I did enjoy hasting something so unique and different. We started with the best cornbread I've ever had that shaped like a cob of corn with three different kinds of butters. The cornbread is $12 and worth it! Next came the Caesar salad wrapped in some kind of egg roll wrapper and topped with an anchovy mixture. We split it so we each got two rolls which was plenty. We very much enjoyed the flavors in the salad. Don ordered the Wagyu short rib with polenta. While we don't love polenta, this was tasty and complemented the beef nicely. Don said this was the best short rib he ever had. I wish I had a picture of how they presented it. When they took the lid off, there was a lovely steam cloud and it smelled wonderful. I had scallops with each one placed beautifully on top of of really interesting wild rice and finished with toasted coconut. The pineapple salsa and the Hoja Santa Fe Oil were placed in small rounds in the middle of the dish because they had some kick to them. What was especially impressive, is the gentleman who brought out my meal leaned over and said that the Chef wanted to let me know that the two items in the small dishes had heat to them, but I was encouraged to give them a try for the full flavor. Impressive! I was able to enjoy the pineapple salsa, but the oil was a little too spicy for me, but I'm glad I tried it. We would've loved to try dessert, but we were fully satiated by our delicious meal. It was quite an experience and we look forward to returning. read more

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Oh my goodness! Excellent food. Excellent presentations of food. I had the shrimp appetizer and elk for my entree. The waiter was kind and attentive. Everytime the food was saved, they explained all of the flavors and ingredients before leaving the table. Ambience was very modern. read more

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This was an EXCEPTIONAL dining experience! Service exemplary. I sat at the bar and got to watch the kitchen cook and they were true craftsmen and professionals. I started with what I thought was going to be a plain Caesar salad, but when it arrived, it was served like a sushi or lettuce wrap. It was very creative and tasty! It made it much more fun to eat than the average salad. It was rich and topped with anchovies, like a true Caesar salad. I then had the peppercorn Elk tenderloin. I asked it be served as the chef recommended, which is medium rare. I am sometimes wary of medium rare, but this tenderloin was DIVINE! It was so moist and bursting with flavor. I loved it. The cocktails were creative and just as enjoyable as the meal. Other options for dinner apps include: cornbread, ahi crudo, mussels, and bison carpaccio. Mains: scallops, pan roasted Branzino, toasted masa gnocchi, grilled Maine lobster tails, duck leg confit, and a pecan coffee rubbed prime flat iron. I'm sure all of them would be amazing. Reservations recommended. Please note that the rooftop bar does not take reservations and is not on the same system as the restaurant. Can't recommend this restaurant enough. read more

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This spot was on a list of recommend places from a family member. We were going to try the roof top cantina, but I thought there were more food options that sounded interesting on the restaurant menu. We did not have a reservation and were able to sit right down. It overall had early 1990's vibes. The staff were nice. The cocktails were strange and not very good. It seemed like there was a lot of emphasis on unique and attractive presentation, but they just didn't quite nail taste and flavor. read more

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We had dinner here with a large group, and the service did not miss a beat. The restaurant is beautifully decorated, comfortable, and vibrant. It's a perfect place for a group of friends who are drinking and laughing, and in general having a good time. If I was by myself, I would have given the place 5 stars, but the food was not a hit with everyone in our group. Starting with what was good, the cornbread was delicious. The Tuna Crudo, Caesar Salad and Branzino, which is what I ordered were all delicious and I would order again. The Mac n' Cheese was so decadent, and one of the best sides I have ever had. The not so great - the lobster was a bit overcooked and over done shellfish is never good, and the masa gnocchi was a bit dense and dry. This is a place where knowing what to order off the menu is key as not all dishes were spectacular. As a result of this dinner, our friend in Santa Fe has crossed it off the list for another large party dinner she is coordinating. However, I would happily return. read more

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The Coyote Cafe definitely lived up to its reviews! Grilled lobster tails for Gayle, and mussels with posole for Eric. And don't forget their famous cornbread! For dessert, 3 kinds of creamy dark chocolate on top of a crunchy chocolate cookie with caramel on top - yes, please! We'll definitely be back. Service was excellent, the high ceiling natural light ambience was welcoming and relaxing, and the wine list was well curated. read more

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I came here for my birthday dinner. I was alone, so I took a bar seat, and I had a lot of fun watching the kitchen. They make it look so easy! The food was delicious, but I decided on Coyote Cafe because of the dessert menu, and the burnt honey cake absolutely lived up to and surpassed my expectations! You can really taste banana leaf, the shaved halva adds a lovely sweetness, and it just melted in my mouth. The service was impeccable. They called me by name the entire time and even though I look quite young for my age, they treated me with respect. Their timing throughout the meal was perfect too, very attentive, but not stiflingly so. I exceedingly enjoyed my meal here, and I'll definitely be back to enjoy all the other dishes I want to try here. read more

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Definitely the best restaurant we tried in Santa Fe. Excellent wine list with plenty of global options at various price points to choose from. We really enjoyed the cornbread plate with fresh butter, very unexpected and very delicious. The bison carpaccio, pork belly tacos, ahi tuna and morita white prawns were also big hits. Service was a bit spotty, it would appear they need more servers. Overall, would certainly return. read more

A large group for a late lunch. They sat us promptly upstairs-rooftop which has a different menu than the downstairs dinner area. They filled our table with waters quickly. They charge for chips & salsa which is really weird in my opinion especially at a 'Mexican' inspired place. No worries we bought some chips and salsa and guacamole for everyone - party of 8. Guacamole was really fresh, salsa just so-so and not spicy. Someone ordered a pitcher of Sangria and was disappointed because it was very watered down, hardly any alcohol. Someone else ordered a regular house margarita and said it was very strong with alcohol. Everyone has their own tolerance. I had the green chili chicken stew, really good. Others had the red pozole and they all agreed it was delicious. A stablemate ordered the Calabacitas without jalapeños and the kitchen added the jalapeños, she sent it back and then it came back without the meat, she sent it back. Third time was the charm, and it was finally a good dish. Main reason for the 4-star. Overall the food and service were mediocre. read more

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Had dinner here last night inside of the restaurant and not the rooftop cantina. The ambiance is upscale with nice decor. The service is on point. We started with cocktails. I had the Kentucky Slide. It was their version of a bourbon sour with egg white. My wife had their signature Nortena Hatch Chili Margarita. Our starter/app consisted of their home made corn bread with a trio of avocado butter, chili-mango butter, and honey butter. The corn bread was okay, but the trio of butter made it better. We had their version of the Cesar salad with white anchovy wrapped in a sushi soy paper. This was very good. We ordered a bottle of the 2022 Kistler Pinot Noir to pair with our entrees. My wife ordered the coffee rubbed flat iron steak entree with the green chili Mac and cheese side. The hangar steak was okay, but didn't care for the coffee rubbed. Would not order that again. The green chili mac and cheese was great. I ordered the Tellucherry peppered elk tenderloin with a sweet potato mash. This was fantastic and is their longtime signature entree. Medium rare to just under medium rare is the perfect temperature for this type of protein. Anything more would be a sin. Dinner ended with my wife ordering an espresso martini. It was not good. They did not use a fresh shot of expresso in their ingredients which is a shame. It tasted like chemicals. I would have liked to have shown or told the mixologist how to make a nice smooth crowd pleasing expresso martini using a Keurig pod of expresso off to the side, but I'm sure that would not have gone over well. LOL! Overall we had a nice dinner experience and would return again when in Santa Fe. read more

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This was the best meal we had on our recent visit to Santa Fe. The food and service were both fantastic. They worked with our allergy and dietary restrictions, and made sure everything was top notch. read more

Coyote Cafe - TELLICHERRY PEPPERED ELK TENDERLOIN - New American Near Me - Santa Fe, New Mexico

This is a must when visiting Santa Fe. Phenomenal, thoughtful service, great ambiance, and once-in-a-lifetime dining experience. Highly recommend the prix-fixe which you can order even if the whole table isn't ordering it. Mussels posole, burrata, the corn bread, the elk, the peach salad, and the Maine lobster tails, all phenomenal. We ordered a little bit of evrything off the menu, and were thrilled with all of it. It's not a trip to Santa Fe without dining here! read more

I visited Coyote Café for the first time today. I was with a childhood friend who recommended it and she was spot on! We started out with the cornbread and it was fabulous, especially with the three types of butter. We received an appetizer gift from the chef and it was unusual but again fabulous! The Barada appetizer was wonderful. For the main course, I ordered the scallops and they were out of this world and I'm from the East Coast! I enjoyed the atmosphere because it is charming and upscale. Our waiter was personable and professional. My experience was a 10 out of 10 and I will definitely be back the next time visit. I'm in town. read more

Definitely a spurge for us for our anniversary, and we were not disappointed. Every single aspect of our meal, from the service to every single bite was perfect. If one is wanting an experience for enjoying varying combinations of tastes that make you take a step back and think about what you are eating, Coyote Cafe will provide it! Our journey started with a Complimentary chef offerings of a guacamole cone that I'm still thinking about three hours later. My husband has an avocado allergy, so a second tasting was sent to us. This was the most amazing Foie Gras - Its hard to describe - Foie Gras truffles in a pomegranate crumb bed. We were trying to think of the magic from this one little bite, and the best I can relate would be to imagine one bite that leaves you with the entire taste of the best Thanksgiving meal you could ever have. This was followed with the corn bread appetizer (a must have), the Fukomati Ceasar salad (2nd best salad ever had) and the Fire Roasted Nopales Vichyssoise (a rich, buttery but light soup). Thank God we waited all day to eat. Now on to the entrees - we had the Elk Tenderloin and the Seared Scallops - both amazing! The scallions were huge, so tender. We could not skip dessert knowing that everything was so perfect; we must trudge on. My husband had a dessert with banana mousse and caramelized bananas and I had the most spectacular Saffron Honey Tres Leches cake. So many flavors going on in this that made it the best dessert I've ever had. Thank you for a meal to remember for life!!! read more

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Coyote Cafe is an *outstanding* dining experience: Five Stars (This is a sister restaurant to the Coyote Rooftop Cantina which is next door and _very_ different. I mention this as the reviews between the two, & therefore the ratings, are getting mixed together. ) Had dinner inside at the upscale Coyote Cafe, dining at the bar with a front row view of all the action in the kitchen. Amazing to watch the chefs make everything happen: brilliant. The food is top-tier, you'll want to try a bit of everything. People on either side were Santa Fe locals who were regular diners @ CC; that says a lot. The service was awesome. The service was high-end, wonderfully attentive and efficient. Awesome spot, highly recommended. As are reservations... :) read more

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Rich and creamy Korean tacos, with an a serving of corn bread with a variety of butters. Service was warm and welcoming. read more

Coyote Cafe - Corn bread with exquisite butters - New American Near Me - Santa Fe, New Mexico

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This was a sort of raucous and rawdy place. It's on the second floor. It's loud and crowded. If you want to have a conversation with someone good luck. The wait staff manage to do their best getting drink and food orders organized. The food was very good. I had fish tacos. No complaints there. read more

What a pleasant surprise! We spent the afternoon at Canyon Road art shops and decided we wanted dinner, the Yelp reviews on this said it is worthy. It certainly is. We started with a nice Sauvignon blanc wine. They brought out corn bread and 3 special butters. Oooo, melt in your mouth! I had the butter lettuce salad and the mussels. The salad had a great dressing and a generous amount of whipped blue cheese. So good! The muscle came in a chipotle sauce with hominy. I just love fresh sweet mussels and these were. But the hominy wasn't a great paring for me. Great bc service, great atmosphere, great food. We loved it. read more

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We chose Coyote Cantina simply because it was close to the hotel -- we flew in at different times and needed a convenient spot. We were so pleasantly surprised! The branzino was absolutely delicious, and the elk was incredibly tender and flavorful. The staff took my allergies seriously and handled them with care, which meant a lot. And the wine list? Seriously impressive. What started as a convenient choice turned into one of the highlights of the trip. Highly recommend! read more

The food, service, and ambiance were all excellent. truly enjoyable. One serious concern: From my seat at the bar facing the open kitchen, I watched the chefs use the exact same cloth for everything throughout my entire visit--no change observed. They wiped countertops (including areas with lobsters), their hands, the bottom/sides of steak trays, and directly handled hot steaks fresh off the grill with it. This single cloth was used indiscriminately across raw/ready-to-eat surfaces, creating a clear risk of cross-contamination and poor hygiene per standard food safety practices. Highly recommend addressing this to maintain the otherwise high standards. read more

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Importance to note that this restaurant is two in one. You have the more fine dining experience, which is called Coyote Café on the lower level and then you have the Cantina/rooftop on the upper level. We decided to sit at the bar rail for our experience at that Coyote Café and Abe was our bartender/server. We shared that it was my company's birthday and he poured us a complementary glass of champagne. He went over the menu with us and made some recommendations and then gave us time to decide what we wanted. I went with the pork belly tacos. I was unsure of what I wanted to drink. I told Abe I like sweet drinks and he said that he would whip something up for me. He ended up making me a prickly pear martini with a salted lime foam. At first glance I wasn't sure I would like it, but it turned out to be a very amazing drink. The pork belly tacos were so so. Honestly I should've gotten the cashews on the side. I think that ruined the taste for me and they could've seasoned the pork belly just a little bit more. It wasn't horrible, but it was not my favorite. The drink however took the cake for me. The service was amazing . Each time one of the food runners dropped off food, they took the time to describe your dish. I really think that level of attention to detail elevated the dining experience. Stark difference from the Cantina upstairs, not to take away from it, but you can tell that they appeal to two very different crowds. I would for sure return. read more

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Arrived in Santa Fe on Sunday and headed To this area of town to check out the area- heard great things about the coyote Café and it's rooftop bar. The vibe was eclectic, the view was nothing special, but we were definitely in a happening spot. We did not sample any food during our visit, but we did sample a margarita and a cold beer. Service was poor. It took a long time to place our drink order and an even longer time to get the Alice margarita and a bottled beer do not know what the hangup was but 10 to 15 minutes to get those drinks seems a little bit excessive. The margarita was nothing special, although you don't expect anything special from a house margarita, most of the time... They had a margarita filled with special and unique margaritas that looked interesting to say the least - overall it's on the list of places you must see... But I don't know why it has made the list. I was just disappointed. read more

Had the most delicious flavorful meal while visiting Santa Fe with my mom. Benjamin was an excellent server and the ambiance was great. Highly recommend read more

Worst Margaritas we've ever had. One sip and that was it. Horrible. Bathroom was filthy. read more

We arrived for our reservation which required us to divide into 2 tables and had to wait a fair amount of time. After a slow start to being seated we were greeted by our friendly waiter who took our drink orders and gave us direction with the menu. The ambiance was nice and seating comfortable. The meal was tasty and everyone felt it was good but nothing stood out as extremely special. Our group ordered 2 salads, sunchoke bisque, tacos, lobster, pecan rub steak, raviolis, duck leg, elk tenderloin, all 3 sides and desert. read more

After nearly 45 years of dining out all over the world, it finally happened...on a small side street in Santa Fe. The Coyote Cafe was the best meal I've ever had! From our early arrival, the hospitality of the hostess and our incredible waiter Alejandro was warm and amazing. We started with their delectable corn bread served with three flavored butters, then to the main entrees. Coyote Club changes their menu every two weeks, and our timing was perfect. My wife ordered the fresh scallops over potato purée with petite snap peas and a lobster bisque sauce. I ordered the charred flat iron steak over mashed potatoes with a side order of carrots. Every single bite was an explosion of flavors that left us in a state of perpetual joy and wonder. Truly remarkable. After raving to Alejandro and to the manager who dropped by our table twice, the chef, Dakota, came by for several minutes...she was completely lovely and very humble for an artist of her caliber. As she left our table, our dessert order of orange-infused sweet corn flan arrived. Amazing. The meal concluded with two glasses of Moscato d'Asti. What we experienced last night, after a full day of exploring the arts of Santa Fe, was a masterclass in culinary artistry. Thank you to the team at the Coyote Cafe for the dining experience of a lifetime. read more

DO NOT TAKE YOUNG KIDS HERE. Food was good. It was not what we expected with the initial description having a rooftop cantina. When you make reservations for the cafe it is not the cantina. Service was prompt and professional, not warm. But perhaps that was because of the 6 year old we had with us. There is not a kids menu and no suggestions were offered for a child friendly meal. We ended up having to get her food elsewhere. Our child tried what we ordered, and she is a broad and adventurous eater, but this was a bridge too far. read more

Benjamin, the server, at Coyote Cafe was terrific. The food is good and the service is outstanding. He was helpful and attentive. Enjoyed our evening. read more

I dined at Coyote Cafe on a Friday night and am so glad I did! I was traveling solo in Santa Fe and booked a counter seat which had a great view of the open kitchen - which gave me a welcome preview into the delicious options because I was having a hard time choosing! The chef was friendly and offered suggestions for what to do around Santa Fe, which was super nice. The server was attentive without being intrusive and incredibly knowledgeable about the menu, offering helpful suggestions. I elected for the prawn appetizer which was just the right portion size - the prawns were juicy and flavorful. For my main entree I chose the Chilean Seabass which was buttery and decadent, served over black rice with squash and a nice pesto. I savored every bite. The vibe is lively without being too loud, and the decor is bright and modern. Highly recommend for a great dining experience! read more

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My wife and I went to the coyote Café on a Sunday night and had reservations at seven. We arrived 20 minutes early and had to wait only until 7 PM. When the reservation was set we were immediately seated and the place was busy. There were no open tables at all and there was a long wait so it's necessary to have a reservation . We did not go to the Cantina in the upstairs but stayed in the second-floor fine dining area the entire time and the service was very good. There is an open kitchen and you can see the chefs preparing your meal and the menu was obviously all Southwest inspired dishes, but the best thing about it was the taste of the food that we ordered. We had The Caesar salad, which was prepared with a great presentation and also enjoyed the scallops and the cheese ravioli, which both were excellent, probably one of the better meals that we've ever had and this restaurant is worth the hype. This place is not a rip off also with cocktails and two glasses of wine, The price came out to $200 which is very fair and compares competitively with practically any restaurant that you would go to where You're expecting a gourmet or a fine dining experience so I would say this is a place that's not to be missed read more

Coyote Cafe - Scallops - New American Near Me - Santa Fe, New Mexico

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Will return for the shrimp cocktail. The roof top opens for lunch. It's small, lively and the service is just as good. It's a pit stop for us, we tried: - Gazpacho: cold and yummy - the shrimp cocktail: the best. The sauce is little on the salty side but tastes great on a hot summer day. The shrimps are succulent. read more

As has been said, a great menu, food and superb service. We arrived at 5 on a Saturday for dinner upstairs and seated immediately in a perfect table almost directly under their beautiful red Chihuly chandelier. Very lively and full of diners but also very loud. It's a modern high ceiling room that lacks charm but that's the only criticism possible. Our server was a great guy, one of their established crew I would guess and he took excellent care of the four us. Creative cocktails and (!) appetizers were on the table within about ten minutes of ordering. Filets of elk, lobster, mussels, a wrapped Caesar salad, and more. Amazing desserts. Most expensive entrees about $60, apps and salads about $20. Very reasonable for the quality of food and service. Almost a bargain. 5 stars all the way and would definitely return. read more

Coyote Cafe - Entry on Water Street. - New American Near Me - Santa Fe, New Mexico

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We loved this place! Exceptionally kind and friendly service personnel and a lovely ambiance. Whether one sits on the rooftop Cantina balcony to enjoy a margarita and chips or for a more formal experience in the restaurant downstairs, this is a great place to stop and nosh. We did both - started off with a rooftop margarita which was delicious and then went downstairs to the restaurant. we elected to sit at the bar. The drinks were sensational, the barman was extremely professional and entertaining and the food was excellent. One more thing: I had too many delicious drinks and ended up forgetting my credit card. We live in the Bay Area and it only occurred to me almost a week later. I called, they found the card and a couple of days later I had it in my hand. Really great people. read more

Honestly everything was top notch. We had the crudo: excellent. The bison carpaccio: delicious. The pork belly tacos: decadent. I had the elk tenderloin which was a great finish. Service and drinks were excellent. read more

It costs $100 to sit in the good seats at the rooftop cantina (at the ledge with unobstructed view) for sunset. I did not know this was a thing that any restaurant/bar did...seems kinda rude but I guess if they can make more money off of people, they will. At least publicize it, if that's the case! The rooftop was packed and our seats were really uncomfortable. Service was ok, food and drinks were good but nothing special. I was in town visiting and my sister and I had my birthday dinner here because we wanted the sunset view; the upcharge was a mean surprise so we didn't pay it. No other real reason to choose to eat here, and we won't again. The restaurant (inside/downstairs) is a whole different world- upscale, stylish decor, and very different menu. This review only applies to the rooftop cantina. read more

Ate lunch at the cantina on the roof as it was too early to get a reservation downstairs in the Cafe. Excellent food, service, not rushed, overall a great experience. read more

Coyote Café don't let the name fool you. This place is an absolute gem. Charming ambiance. The food is incredible every bite is a burst of bold, well-balanced flavors. The pork belly tacos, Wow! Truly speechless hands down some of the best tacos I've ever had. Dessert was just as impressive. The chocolate mousse and the tamal dessert were both rich, flavorful, and honestly hard to describe you just have to try them. The elk was perfectly cooked, tender, and full of depth. The flavors reminded me of a Thanksgiving meal in the best possible way comforting yet elevated. Service was outstanding. Our server Emma was attentive, friendly, approachable, and clearly takes pride in what real customer service should look like. Kudos to the chef and the entire team this is easily one of the best restaurants I've tried so far. Highly recommend. read more

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Still one of my favorite places to stop in Santa Fe. The drinks are still really good, and we got the Frito Pie to split this time. Chairs still aren't great and it's always packed, but overall a cool atmosphere and good for a happy hour or quick snack and drink stop! read more

Coyote Cafe - The Frito pie was delish! - New American Near Me - Santa Fe, New Mexico

We loved the fancy side of the Coyote Cafe! The food was so delicious. Reservations are really required; we lucked out, going at 5 pm and snagged a table. The mussels appetizer was delicious; and we would get that again! My friend loved the mushroom raviolis; and my sea bass was Huge and perfectly cooked !!! I am so picky about fish; and this sea bass was perfect! There is nothing on the menu that I wouldn't try. This restaurant is top notch! read more

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We've been dining at Coyote Cafe since they first opened many years ago on Canyon Road, First is was terrific, but it went downhill so we stopped going. When they moved downtown we started going again, and until last fall it was great, It is now sub-standard and caters primarily to tourists with no regard to repeat visits, Our waiter was surly and he messed up my order, When I mentioned it, he did not apologize and acted as if it was my fault. My shrimp dish had only 2 shrimp and was totally unremarkable, My husband ordered the Branzino which was very good, Meals do not come with sides, so we ordered them a la carte - they were mediocre, Dessert was terrific, but we won' be going back. The snarky waiter and rude bus girl were definite turn offs. read more