**Extremely Disappointing Birthday Experience** I have been to emBargo before and have generally enjoyed my experiences here, which is why I chose this restaurant to celebrate my birthday weekend. Unfortunately, this visit was a complete disappointment, especially considering our bill was approximately $225. One of the biggest issues was the lack of attentiveness from our waiter. At one point, I needed a fork to eat my meal. One of my guests was heading to the restroom and specifically told our waiter that I needed a fork. I waited approximately five minutes, giving him more than enough time to bring one over. Instead, he continued having a conversation with another employee while I sat at the table unable to properly eat my meal. Eventually, I had to get up from my own birthday dinner and find a fork myself. Only after I got up did someone attempt to assist me with the utensil. Then, at approximately 9:35 PM, our waiter brought the bill to the table even though no one had asked for the check. I found this especially off-putting because this was clearly a birthday celebration, and we had not indicated that we were finished. We weren't even given the opportunity to order dessert or continue celebrating. The waiter had also mentioned that his shift didn't end until around 11 PM, making me even more confused as to why we were essentially being rushed out more than an hour beforehand. When I paid the approximately $225 bill, I left a $15 tip and wrote a note explaining why. I normally tip more than 20%, particularly when I receive good service, but I did not believe the service that evening justified that amount. What happened afterward was what truly ruined the experience. After seeing the tip and my note, the waiter came back to our table and confronted us about it. He raised his voice and argued that we should not have given him the tip we gave him because he believed he had provided good service. When I attempted to explain the problems we experienced, he put his hand up toward me, said that he didn't want to hear it, and walked away. That was completely inappropriate and unprofessional. A customer should never be confronted or yelled at because an employee disagrees with the amount of a discretionary tip especially after the customer has already explained the service issues. I understand that this waiter was relatively new and had only been working at the restaurant for approximately six weeks. I can absolutely give someone grace for being new. What I cannot excuse is confronting a customer over a tip, refusing to listen to their concerns, and walking away dismissively. What makes this particularly disappointing is that I was a returning customer. I have recommended emBargo to friends, colleagues in banking, investors, and other people in my professional network because of my previous experiences here. Unfortunately, after the way my birthday celebration was handled, I can no longer comfortably recommend this restaurant. I specifically chose emBargo for a special occasion. Instead of leaving with a great birthday memory, I left feeling rushed, disrespected, and extremely disappointed. Based on this experience, I would not recommend emBargo for birthdays or other special celebrations unless management addresses how situations like this are handled. read more

Outstanding service while seated at the bar! Plenty of staff working. never a wait for a refill or to order Tapas style dishes were great Highly recommend Fun busy place read more

We shared a bunch of Tapas and we ate it before I could get a picture. It was my granddaughter's birthday 22yrs This place is amazing, I can't even imagine where we would park in the Summer The waitress Jessica was the best one Ever!!! I did get pictures of dessert so delicious. Thank you so much for making my granddaughter's birthday so special !!!! We'll be back soon. The restaurant & bar are handsome. No frills but nice just as it is. My granddaughter picked out the place and we're so happy she picked Embargo. read more

Embargo - Granddaughter Violet wants to sing Happy Birthday to her sister - Tapas Bars Near Me - Hyannis, Massachusetts

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This was a great local spot. Our waitress was very nice and welcoming. I recommend making reservations it gets packed quick. Food was good. Chocolate moose is a must along with the espresso martini. After hours the DJ pumps up the music giving the whole place a vibe. Overall, great experience! I even forgot my jacket and was able to retrieve the next day read more

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Went here with a vegetarian friend and there was a large variety of plant based options, each tastier than the last. Every bite of every dish was perfect. We sat at the bar and had exceptional service. It was lively and busy, but the staff was on top of it. Love it here. It's a don't miss. read more

Embargo - Red & Golden Beet Stack - Tapas Bars Near Me - Hyannis, Massachusetts

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Fun night sitting at the bar and sampling tapas. The highlights were the calamari and wagu mini sliders. The Brussels were a generous portion but not as flavorful as I hoped. My friend's martini was tasty but unfortunately got spilled before she was 1/2 done drinking it. I was surprised the bartender didn't offer to comp another one. read more

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1/2 off tapas on Tuesdays for the win!! (UPDATE: watch out for the fine print. Half of the "half priced tapas" were excluded from the special.) *We started with the oysters--very fresh, though I wish they came with a mignonette. *The Cajun tuna was amazing! The coconut rice paired perfectly with the spicy crust. *The lobster ravioli was TO DIE FOR. I could've eaten a whole bowl of it. *Wagyu sliders--juicy and flavorful. The chipotle ketchup was tasty but could've used a bit more kick. *Churrasco-style steak--solid, but nothing special. You can find a similar dish just about anywhere. *Gambas al ajillo--meh. Good quality shrimp, but tasted like a basic shrimp scampi. *Pan-seared scallops--good, but I wouldn't order them again. The sweet and savory elements worked well, just not enough to wow me. read more

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We are regulars here and absolutely love Embargo, but we tried the Spicy Peanut Soba Noodles for the first time last Saturday and it was a miss for us. Just a heads up for noodle fans, even though it's listed as soba, the dish was served with a relatively thin, block-style white wheat noodle (closer to a thin udon pack) with no hint of buckwheat. Unfortunately, the sauce was also completely bland, lacking any spice, and tasted just like sweet peanut butter. It costs next to nothing, so it wasn't a big deal, the rest of our night (and food) was great as always, the service was flowless as usual. We still love this place, but we will be sticking to our usual favorite dishes next time. P.S. Calamary are outstanding here. read more

Awesome place. The venue has open floor plan and outside seating. It's a really popular place. It's gets pretty crowded. They have TVs which was important because cousin is a soccer fanatic and he did not want to miss the game. The staff is wonderful and the food was excellent. The drinks were great too. read more

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My first time here. I met Harry the bartender, great guy. Good drinks. It was a Tuesday nite. Half price apps. I had several apps. The lobster ravioli dead delicious. The sauce was rich and creamy. Then I had the fresh oysters. Very clean. Then the shortbread short rib, the sauce was very rich with flavor. The mashed potatoes with it was delicious and creamy. Then I had a chicken wrap. The chicken salad was crispy with the lettuce, very light not heavy. Hamburger slider, medium rare. Just enough. Then I had the key lime pie dessert. That was a great ending. There was live entertainment and great locals at the bar. If you're a single guy , get over there. You'll probably will have a great time really nice place and classy. I'll be back. Prices are a little pricey but worth it. Emanates super clean! read more

Embargo - Fresh Baked Oysters Embargo - Tapas Bars Near Me - Hyannis, Massachusetts

If You're Wondering What to Order at Embargo, This Is for You I'm writing this because I always wish more people would leave honest, detailed reviews to help me know what's actually worth ordering. So here's the deal: Embargo in Hyannis is a must. We loved it so much, we went back a second time. The food is that good. If the music inside is too loud for you, just grab a table outside. The vibe is fun either way, and the service was awesome both nights. Danielle and John were especially great. They kept everything running smoothly and cleared plates quickly, which I always appreciate. Now, onto the good stuff: the food. You seriously can't go wrong with any of these: * Stuffed Mushrooms: Cheesy, flavorful, and a solid vegetarian choice * Avocado: The freshest avocado I've had at a restaurant up north, no exaggeration * Wagyu Sliders: Juicy, flavorful, and the blue cheese adds the perfect kick * Steak with Chimichurri: Packed with flavor and cooked just right * Brussels Sprouts: Crispy and super tasty, definitely not an afterthought * Shrimp Skewers: So good I didn't even get a picture. Served with a mango salsa and a tasty sauce on the side, plus coconut rice that was absolutely delicious I hope this helps someone out there the next time they're deciding what to get. Embargo is definitely worth the stop, and if you try any of these dishes, you'll leave happy. read more

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Let me start by saying we went peak dinner time and seemed to be two birthday parties going on. There was an hour wait time so we went walking and shopping around. The ambiance seemed to be catered to retired folks. We were probably the only young adults there. There was a live musician playing but music was a bit loud that not even our server was able to hear our order. Place was nice, seating options outside, clean restrooms. We got a text msj to confirm and responded 6min late but got a text saying they would wait for us. We rushed over and were told we took 15 min to respond so our spot was taken, we showed the two hostesses the msg of confirmation and one hosts, I believe her name was Vicky, kept shaking her head as if there was so other seats and it was our fault. The other host, a young gentleman, seemed to have shown her an option, grabbed the menus and guided us to seat. As we followed, Vicky rushed to cut me off. Half of my friend are seated and Vicky tells the gentleman to move us and sit us in the back of the restaurant, he shakes his head no as again, most of us are already seated. She leave and he apologizes on her behalf because I'm sure he can tell we feel unwelcome. We got our food and drinks and weren't so impressed. Best dish was the lobster mac & cheese. Drinks weren't that good, watermelon wasn't fresh. Took them 30 min to get my friend's corn tortilla that she originally asked for in her order. Later, when our waiter was assisting us, Vicky comes to tell him to assist another table, while he is talking to us. I've never seen that, made it feel like she really didn't want us there. Over all the host made us feel unwelcome and the food was okay, better places around the area read more

Cool atmosphere for sure, probably a good night life scene if you're into that. expensive for tapas in my opinion and not quite worth the $$. Spent a lot and left hungry still. read more

Embargo - Pan Seared Scallops, Duck Drummies, Baked Oysters Rockefeller, bok choy - Tapas Bars Near Me - Hyannis, Massachusetts

The food was ok at best. It was served all at once and the hot food was cold. Our server however was the worst server that we have ever had. She was rude and terrible. It was by far the worst dining experience we have ever had in the U.S.. read more

Just love embargo if you enjoy small portions tapas is there rage everything from stuffed Mushrooms beef sliders, which Max ordered delicious sangria. Everything has a homemade taste to it and I love sitting outside and glorious downtown Hyannis Cape Cod my favorite place on earth they have music live music on Thursday evenings and if you get there before six at all, the tapis is half price so check it out. It's a wonderful place to go Embargo read more

Nice casual place. Food and service were just ok. The temperature is kept Very cold a/c : bring jacket. Do not order the eggplant; it's not good. read more

Always a pleasure, fun atmosphere amazing drinks and good service! Love their choices in food and small plates. There is always something new to try! read more

Let me save you the trouble: do not eat at Embargo in Hyannis -- unless you're okay with being scolded, accosted, and publicly embarrassed by the owner's mother, a woman named Nicki, who is apparently allowed to run wild through the restaurant like an angry cruise director on her last nerve. We had a reservation for four, and we were there celebrating my husband's birthday. Despite clearly understaffed service (which we were patient and understanding about), we had a great server (shoutout to Kyle, who was truly lovely and doing his best). We ordered multiple courses, cocktails, and had plans for dessert, coffee, and take-home treats for our kids and babysitters. We were still actively dining. Then, completely unprompted, this woman we later learned was the owner's mother walked up to our table and -- without introducing herself -- rudely declared: "You guys have been here for over two hours and we're really busy. I can give you like 10 minutes and then you need to leave." No warning. No grace. No professionalism. Just a rude, condescending command, delivered so inappropriately. We were shocked. We'd received no time limit, and we were still ordering and enjoying ourselves. When we asked to speak to the manager, she came over and -- again, no introduction -- immediately said, "There's two sides to every story" before we even had a chance to speak. We asked to speak with the owner, thinking surely they'd want to know how horribly we were being treated. First we were told he'd be right over. Then we were told he was "unavailable." The manager ended up comping our bill -- which we didn't ask for and would have gladly paid. But the damage was done: my husband's birthday dinner was completely ruined. And just when we thought it couldn't get worse -- it did. As we were leaving, Nicki (the "hostess") went off on my friend in front of everyone. Loud, aggressive, unhinged behavior. Then she literally followed us around the corner on our way out the door because she just couldn't let it go. I flagged the (very sweet) kid working the door and asked if he could get the manager again so I could let her know what just happened. He quietly shook his head and said, "It wouldn't do any good. That's the owner's mom. She treats the staff terribly and is rude to customers all the time. He'll never do anything about it because she's his mother." Then he followed me out to the sidewalk and said, "Her name is Nicki. Make sure you include that in your review." So kid -- this part is for you. Thank you for validating what we experienced. I only hope the owner reads this, listens to his staff, and fires his mother before she drives the place into the ground. Until then? Avoid Embargo like the plague. Cape Cod has plenty of great restaurants where you can have a nice meal without being harassed and berated by management's family. This place isn't one of them. read more

sooo yummy. such good drinks and the karaoke on tuesday? heck yes. genuinely such a cute place and our server was extremely kind. had a blast! read more

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So, Embargo has a lively Happy Hour with many half priced tapas and even entertainment some nights! I was lucky to get a seat at the bar that was quickly filled by the regulars of Hyannis. Friendly People, great service and absolutely delish food! There was so much to choose from and this was my first time ever going in alone. But the vibe was high, people were friendly, the establishment was clean, and people were enjoying their oysters on the half shell by the platter full. They too were half price on happy hour. No complaints from this girl, it was like walking into a friendly environment that even embraced new comers like me. I always recommend Embargo, it's very rare that they don't give it their all! Highly recommended!!!! read more

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Absolutely loved this place! Service was quick & super friendly & bartenders make amazing drinks. Love the vibe inside. Great small plates. We had the artichoke flatbread & salmon crostinis & neither disappointed. The flirtini was our absolute favorite martini! They have karaoke at 9PM on Wednesdays which was fun. Great spot but definitely pricey so be prepared to pay but the food, drink, & service are worth it! read more

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We went on a Saturday evening and we're able to get a reservation earlier that week. We arrived a few minutes early and were seated right away. The music is loud. It's def not a place to go to for a quiet romantic date night. For drinks I tried the Mai tai martini, and it was okay, didn't seem very strong for the price. For food we split the salmon crostini- delicious! Wagu sliders- very good flavor but meat was over cooked Cajun shrimp- too spicy for me but my husband liked them. BBQ short rib sliders. The bbq sauce was a little too sweet for me, but they were ok. For dessert I got an espresso martini- again not very strong. I'd go back for the food but skip their mixed drinks. Also the website advertised that they had live music the night we went at 9pm; but we left at 9:30 and there was no sign of any live music. read more

Embargo - Espresso martini - Tapas Bars Near Me - Hyannis, Massachusetts

The only good thing about this place was our server--friendly, attentive, and clearly doing their best. Unfortunately, the food was absolutely disgusting. For a restaurant sitting just minutes from the harbor, it's unacceptable that they're serving obviously frozen seafood. The texture, flavor, and quality were all terrible--like something you'd buy from a bargain freezer section, not a seaside restaurant. If you can't get fresh seafood when you're this close to the docks, then what's the point? Huge disappointment. How appetizing does that picture look . read more

Embargo - Horrible - Tapas Bars Near Me - Hyannis, Massachusetts

Love the small Plates and half price specials Enjoy when live music is available Lively atmosphere read more

Drinks are good. They kicked me out for wearing a tank top while my friend who's wearing a skinny strap tank top didn't? They're sexist and don't even have the dress code on their website. read more

My most disappointing experience I've had in a long time. Although rain was light, I found myself walking through 3 inches of water for 30-40 feet in the parking lot. The music was too loud to carry on a conversation, I had text my wife. I ordered the lobster bisque, there wasn't any lobster meat in it that I could tell. The waitress informed me that that was normal. The Charcuterie tray was awful, the prosciutto had an inedible rind that could've choked you, and the rest of the meats were very watery and tasteless. At that point, I just took my losses and gave up read more

6. Of us were impressed Quiet table away from the bustling crowd Glad to tell our stories over great drinks lovely young lady serve ing was patient and helpful. Crab cakes delicious ! Beets and goat cheese so good ! read more

FUN! FOOD! FRIENDS! Drink! This place is GREAT! The drinks are spot on crafty and perfect. The food? I have to say, they serve THE BEST eggplant parm I HAVE EVER HAD. Everything else, is great, but this was my show stopper! Oysters at happy hour? perfection and no shells in the shuck. Chicken and waffle? Deliciousness with our drinks. Ask for a poison, they'll make it. Owner and staff? Corky, professional and upbeat. LOVE THEM. Tapas are pricy but they run half off specials you don't want to miss, with something for everyone. SO! What are you waiting for? (oh yea, live music too!) read more

We made a reservation, and we were so glad that we did because the restaurant was full and the only available seats were at the bar. We were warmly greeted by the hostess Nicky, and we asked if we could get a booth near the back, because the jazz group was excellent but too loud to carry on a conversation if near the band. John was our waiter and he was outstanding, and both he and Nicky came by to check on us throughout the meal. We had raspberry pomegranate margaritas, cider sangria, and rose wine by the glass. On Tuesday night they have half price on numerous tapas, and anything with a * after it is full price, so we were able to order several tapas at a 50% discount. We had the following tapas: -Baby lamb chops: it was $4.00 per lamb chop -Southern fried chicken biscuit- with glaze on the biscuit which was excellent! -Chicken lettuce wraps -Smoked salmon and cream cheese on toasts (the photo has two, but you get three, and we were so hungry that I tried to take photos before my friends started eating. -Short rib sliders -Pumpkin ravioli special: which was more of an entrée size and incredibly delicious! -Steak and mashed potatoes, with amazing flavor! -Grilled churrasco-style sirloin steak with sliced crispy onion rings, chimichurri sauce -Braised short ribs with la mancha sauce, cool tomato fresco and mashed potatoes -Happy Birthday Chocolate Cake There were three of us dining and with 9 tapas' ordered we left very full. John brought out a slice of an incredibly moist chocolate cake for our friend's birthday with a candle in it which was a nice touch. We enjoyed the meal so much, that we made a reservation at 7pm tonight, Wednesday, to come back and try some of our favorites and also experience some of the other items that we did not try. Wednesday is karaoke night so we are very much looking forward to the entertainment! Embargo has entertainment all year round, unlike other restaurants that are only seasonal. Thank you for a wonderful meal! read more

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Tapas tapas tapas! Enjoyed it so much! Perfect for not being super hungry. Lobster ravioli - yum! Lamp lollipops - yum! Lobster Bisque - great! Wedge salad - amazing! Cheese steak roll - good! Egg plant parmesean - very good. Oysters- good. Cream cheese stuffed mushrooms - good. Lobster roll (hot) - the best this weekend. Here are some pics of some of the food. read more

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Recommended: Yes, especially for happy hour enthusiasts. Overall: The perfect happy hour for an extensive tapas selection and a lively start to the night. Snapshot: Food: 4/5 Drink: 4/5 Vibe: 4/5 Service: 5/5 ‍‍ Family-Friendly: 4/5 Highlights: -Perfect For: A diverse and delicious happy hour experience -Don't Miss: The variety of tapas, especially during happy hour -Bonus Tip: Ideal for early dining with babies; the place gets more vibrant late at night. All The Details: Embargo in Hyannis offers the best happy hour scene, with half-off appetizers and an impressive tapas menu. From duck wings and escargot to hummus plates and Wellfleet oysters, the variety is sure to please anyone. Although there was no single standout dish, the selection was enjoyable overall. The cocktail list is fun, leaning more towards beach vacation vibes than upscale mixology. The beer menu might be pretty average, but overall, there's something for everyone here. Some in our party felt certain tapas were underwhelming, but the diversity and creativity of the dishes appealed to me. The venue has a Miami Beach club atmosphere, particularly at the bar, yet it's surprisingly family-friendly, offering clean high chairs for babies. Servers were very nice, and food was served quickly. For those dining with little ones, happy hour is the optimal time, as the night tends to get livelier. Embargo is a spot I'd happily return to for happy hour, offering a fun and flavorful way to start an evening in Hyannis. read more

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Went to Cape Cod Bay this past weekend for a bachelorette party and we chose Embargo for nice dinner out! They were so accommodating for our large group on short notice. The inside was smaller than expected, but was the perfect size for creating an elegant and welcoming environment. I had the Oreo Cookie martini and holy moly, this was one of the best martini's I have had in a long time. It was a cocktail and a desert all in one! I ordered the Grilled Steak Tips and the Baked Three-Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms. I was so happy with my choices for dinner. I wasn't overly hungry, but still wanted a good sized meal before going out. This was the perfect amount of food and was absolutely delicious! I'm 100% going to try and recreate the baked mushrooms at home, so good! read more

Embargo - Grilled Steak Tips, Baked Three-Cheese Mushrooms - Tapas Bars Near Me - Hyannis, Massachusetts

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The food here is excellent and so is the wait staff. The disinfectant they use smells terrible and reminds me of toilet bowel cleaner in the airport. Otherwise it was a very enjoyable experience. If we sat inside I wouldn't have been able to handle the smell of the cleaner they use. read more

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Good gravy! I can't believe there could ever be a review lower than 3 stars. Those folks must not understand how restaurants operate. Go. Staff is wonderful. The chef is a lunatic who is cranking out an enormous, outstanding menu that is top notch. Don't miss an opportunity to have GREAT food and an amazing time. The naysayers don't get it. read more

surprise! The half price tapas on Tuesdays are not half price. We were suppose to notice the asterisks ( maybe font 8) next to most tapas, then read the fine print ( maybe font 6) which says tapas with asterisk are regular price. Having said that, they were delicious, as was the expresso martini. We asked for the Manhattan to be made with sweet vermouth, but is wasn't. The biggest disappointment was the aged steak which was incredibly tough. Even after chewing 25-30 times it still could not be swallowed. The staff was very friendly, and attentive. However, when we questioned the server about the price of the tapas we were told others have made the same mistake.? read more

Embargo - Must read fine print, font 6 or 8, to find out only a few tapas are actually 1/2 price - Tapas Bars Near Me - Hyannis, Massachusetts

Beautifully appointed, well served and delicious cuisine! We so enjoyed our tapas, drinks and dessert (flan) My only ding is they need to fully designate which tapas are exempt from the 50% off. It would save everyone unnecessary angst. Otherwise, a lovely venue!! I highly recommend! read more

Embargo - Yummy Sangria blanco and very tasty Sauvignon Blanc - Tapas Bars Near Me - Hyannis, Massachusetts

this place is disgraceful.... people who work there suck. pick up bar. It was my daughter's bday and they wanted to charge for a dessert. way overpriced... seafood casserole had a crumb of lobster... left starving.. way overpriced... pick up bar. don't waste your time read more

Enjoyed our experience. Happend to walk by and liked the patio area. Checked out the menu and decided to eat dinner here. The drinks were great (had a martini, Razzmopolitan & High Standards). I wish I liked grapefruit because the drink called Damnit Janet made me laugh. The food was good too. We had the vegetable tempura, one of the steak tapas, lamb pops and veggie spring rolls (which were huge) and a salad with steak tips. Everything was delicious from start to finish. Ended the night with a chocolate dessert which was good (maybe not a good as the other food). Excellent service. Overall great experience and would return if in the area. read more

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I wasn't expecting much as I've never been impressed with this place before. My friend chose the place and I didn't want to ruin the night but I didn't have to do anything-the restaurant did that all on its own. Our server was nice enough however TWICE, two different servers brought over the wrong food meant for the table next to us. Very unorganized. Next the truffle fries weren't well flavored, and the spicy salmon roll wasn't spicy at all (they focus more on presentation than flavor as it was very well presented-just not flavored) Not only that but the wasabi was not of high quality either and almost seemed expired as it wasn't very spicy and almost clay like. Also the sashimi was of bad quality. The double chocolate lava cake tasted store bought and was actually pretty bad. Very disappointing. read more

Embargo - Sushi Combo (4 salmon sashimi, 4 tuna sashimi and "spicy" salmon roll) - Tapas Bars Near Me - Hyannis, Massachusetts

This was our third visit to Embargo. Although the service was excellent (Kyle), there were issues. The Wedge salad had very little dressing and the lettuce was horrible. The shrimp tacos had very little shrimp. They had a "kitchen uncharge" of 50 cents for a small cup of olive oil. The Kendricks martinis were $22 each!!! Not sure we will return. read more