Went back for a New Year's Eve several course set menu and it was delicious!! We were drawn to come in for the live jazz music as well and thought it would be a fun date to end 2022! Salmon mousse appetizer was refreshing. The winter vegetable salad was surprisingly large and filling with sweet potato, beet and tangy cheese. Possibly my favorite thing was the warm cocktail in between the salad and main course! They described it as a Latin version of mulled wine- but light and citrusy. Loved it. The ribeye was of course amazing- cooked to perfection at medium rare. And the au gratin potatoes did their job as comfort food. The flourless chocolate cake and crème brûlée were also fantastic and rich. Only not so great part was that my husband could not have several of the items on the set menu due to his dairy and gluten allergies. They tried to accommodate him, but some of the dishes were already prepared with dairy and there were no alternative options. So we likely won't do a set menu night again (although I got two desserts out of the deal!). But I am continually impressed by this place and will be back! read more

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Just a great neighborhood gem of a restaurant. Not everything on the menu hits it out of the ballpark, but who cares. Fast, friendly and an interesting menu that has the basics a kid will enjoy and something that pushes the envelope for the grownups, plus a dog friendly patio. read more

La Mesa - Pizza Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Hate to give a negative review to a local restaurant trying their best, but I ran into three pretty bad issues and I would not really recommend the spot. The chicken in the chicken tacos chicken was boiled to a soft mush and the primary flavor was mayo. The cocktails were mixed up, the mezcal that was supposed to be in my drink ended up in my wife's. Finally, they forgot the chorizo on the pizza, but they did bring it as a side later in the meal. The chips and guac was good, there was a winter salad that was okay. read more

It's a neighborhood gem! Delicious food with nice plating impressed me the most. We celebrated a friend's birthday there, so five of us tried a little bit of everything. Obviously this place is known for the Ecuadorian cuisine. Hornado, the classic Ecuadorian toasted pork is my favorite. Exactly what I expected for Latin flavor, well done! Love all the small plates. Ceviche and the Llapingachos are typical and I won't get tired of ordering them every time I come back. The chocolate panna cotta was a surprise. Never had chocolate flavor but this one was great! I love they use the garage doors as the restaurant front. Although most people sat outside, it was very nice to see the Latino decorations inside. read more

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Such a cute little place tucked into the lovely Bryn Mawr neighborhood. Plenty of free street parking. They prefer you call ahead or make reservations. They also request that you wear a mask while arriving. We sat on the patio which was simple but very pleasant. Service was fair but the the server could've had a little more personality. They have some wonderful dishes I wanted to try. All Latin American based, some with ingredients I had never heard of. We started with the shrimp chuzos. The shrimp was mixed with fresh tomato and mote. It wasn't what I was used to but, it was simple and a good starter. For entrees, we tried the mahi mahi and the ribeye. The mahi mahi tasted so good mixed with the mango salsa. It added a lovely sweetness to the fish. But I wanted more flavor from the rice, it was quite bland and dulled some of the flavors. We really enjoyed the ribeye. It was wonderful with the chimichurri and cooked to perfection. All dishes were plated beautifully and we really enjoyed our time here. read more

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Located in Bryn Mawr, this is a Latin American-inspired cozy little place about 6 minutes from downtown Mpls. After 4 enjoyable visits, I'd rate the food as very good. Highlights include the queso fundito (spend the 2 bucks and add chorizo), Llapingachos (potato cakes), roasted olives (fantastic), pork tacos, slow-roasted pork and the pepperoni pizza. The Bryn Mawr burger was tasty but hard to eat. After it was sliced in half, the onions and all just slid off the burger. We found the guacamole just okay lacking any kick. The service is routinely awesome - friendly and attentive. Didn't test the bar yet, but La Mesa sells some good local beer. Nothing on the menu sells for over $30, so all-in-all, this place feels like we've found a hidden gem. Don't tell anyone. read more

A neighborhood spot featuring a wide variety menu of Latin inspired food from Ecuador. A buddy and I stopped in for a weeknight dinner to try out their menu which features salads, pizza,, small plates, tacos and wood fire entrees. We were eager to try a bunch of things as everything sounded good. We started off with the Queso fundito, a rich creamy cheesy mix with 6 crunchy chewy crostini (we had to ask for a couple extra crostini to finish it all off. Next followed the shrimp ceviche which was a bit different than others in that the small shrimp were whole (peeled and deveined), not chopped up as is so often the case. Since the server raved about the Roasted corn pizza, we got that too - good but not as special as what we thought. Even though we were getting full, we couldn't leave without trying something from the woodfire menu -Hornado-slow roasted Ecuadorian pork and fixings. We also sampled the delicious, made from fresh lime juice, margaritas. They are heavy on ice, and a little skimpy on the liquid but still tasty. The restaurant has a bunch of garage doors along one entire wall, so I'm thinking when summer comes it will be a great indoor/outdoor type spot. read more

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I've been keeping this place a secret, because, well I wanted it all to myself, but the truth is...if you love something, you gotta tell the world about it, so here it is....run here for an amazing dinner and fabulous drinks!! You seriously can't go wrong with anything you order, but honestly the best part of this place is the service, the staff won't lead you wrong with what to order. Great drinks too! read more

Loved it! I've been wanting to get here for months. Finally got the BF to agree. He loved it! Had the bean tacos and the tomato/avocado salad. He had the burger. Everything was great. Fun place with friendly staff. And, lots of options for vegetarians! Can't wait to come back and try that roasted corn pizza. We watched them roasting everything in that wood fired oven. Sit at the counter for a fun experience. read more

La Mesa - Tomato and Avocado salad - Pizza Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Very nice atmosphere following Covid guidelines above & beyond prices very reasonable I wish I remembered out waitresses name she was very friendly & polite. We started off with a bottle of the house wine, Caprese salad & warm olives for our appetizers. For Dinner we had slow roasted pork was very tasty highly recommend trying this dish & wood oven roasted chicken I can't remember the name of the desert we got it was very delicious could've easily eaten another piece. We will definitely go back again. read more

La Mesa - Slow roasted pork - Pizza Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Fairly unprepossessing from the outside, the interior is much more attractive and cozy. A long kitchen/bar is flanked by tables along a windowed wall. This somewhat narrow corridor opens to a spacious adjoining room with a mix of tables and booths. I've had dinner here twice and each time come away impressed with the food, ambience and service. The first time I came here with a friend. We started with refillable chips accompanied by two smoky salsas, green and red ($7). I had the Slow Roasted Pork with rice and beans ($18.5). It was a savory, satisfying and delicious plate. Friend had the fresh, well prepared Mahi Mahi with cilantro rice and mango salsa ($22). Second visit I was accompanied by two others. We started with the Chips and Salsa to which we added a largish bowl of very good Guacamole ($9.5). We then proceeded to split the Mussels ($12), Shrimp Chuzos ($10. - skewers) and a Chorizo Pizza ($15 ). We added three Tamarind sodas to the mix. I think all left fat and happy. Parking can be a bit of a hassle though street options abound. Moderately quiet so as to enable most conversation. Staff is knowledgeable and courteous. In my estimation, a great addition to Bryn Mawr serving Equadoran/Latin inspired cuisine. Perhaps one could even say it's a great addition to the ever evolving metropolitan food scene. read more

This place is awesome! Had a family dinner here and all five of us were highly satisfied with our experiences. This is an urban bistro that specializes in Ecuadorean-and-adjacent cuisine. Two of us had the Mahi, one of whom had been here before and loved it, and consequently our table echoed with pervasive praise for that dish. I had pan-seared steak with its tangy chimichuri and I loved it. That plate was way, way full of flavor. Our servers (we got attention from several) were very attentive and speedy, and the whole atmosphere, with patio and bar seating in addition to the dining room, was inviting and comfortable. We got a round of tres leches cakes for dessert that ended our visit on a really happy note. Such good food. Go here and get some food, you. read more

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Very cute little neighborhood restaurant, maybe a Diamond in the rough! The service was attentive and they had live music on the patio. My daughter and I had the ribeye steak which was done to our liking, medium. It was seasoned just right. The roasted potatoes were average. My family loved the chimchurri sauce. I'm very sensitive to spices so I didn't eat much of it, but it was tasty. My husband had the Mahi Mahi and he said it was delicious as were the mashed potatoes and the mango salsa garnish. We also enjoyed the limeade (non-alcoholic) not too sweet or too tart. We ordered chips and guacamole for an appetizer, it was tasty but a really small portion for the table to share. Most other restaurants provide more for the same price. Many of the items on the menu looked inviting so we'll be back! read more

Was really looking forward to trying La Mesa, our overall experience was not a great one. The pros: Easy to book a patio reservation, lovely patio and easy parking, they have happy hour until 6pm, $2 off select apps and drinks. The plantains with cheese and their version of guacamole were delicious. Love that they have rare beers like LaTrappe and New Holland Dragon's Mill on tap! The cons: Consistently muted flavors and overly expensive for the quality. The shrimp ceviche while plentiful, had a watery sauce with little flavor. The coconut shrimp dish was $$ and had 5 medium-large shrimp. Lastly: Parboiled rice? Not ok. Go to Chimborazo for full-flavor Ecuadorian food. read more

Ordered an $11 Avocado and Tomato salad and it's about 2 bites. I have never ordered such a weak, expensive "salad." I called thinking it must be a mistake, but I guess not. This is a joke. Never felt so ripped off. We're all still starving. read more

La Mesa - Avocado and Tomato Salad - Pizza Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

The food is really tasty, albeit small portions for the price. Service is great. Wanted to share it's not super kid friendly for young kids. While it has a good kids menu, the bathroom doesn't have a changing table and when our kids were dancing to the live music we were asked to stop them because of a licensing issue. Anyway, great spot for a date night, maybe not for energetic little kids. read more

Love love love this place. The dishes I have had here range from the mussels to the burger and a few nibbles from my wife's plate too. Really awesome. I have now gone here at least six times. Still amazing! Going there again next week. read more

Bio: Vegetarian, who loves different cuisines and want to have a good gastronomical experience. Tried: Llapingachos: Potato with queso like filling. Tasted ok but not extraordinary. Pricey I would say. Margherita pizza: Good wood fired pizza. No surprises on the taste. Standard. Verdura pizza: This was different. Arugula topped and goes well with overall pizza. Tastes unique. Worth a try if you are new to place. Also tried a hot tea be beverage. Tasted nice. Unique ingredient used to make this tea: Ecuadorian flower Service was really good, and a quiet nice ambience. read more

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Thumbs up: -Cobb salad (Holy *%#**€ it's sexy) -Proximity to my home when I run out of wine (walking distance=20 thumbs up) -Music (Romeo Santos) Thumbs down: -The "you are killing my soul" facial expressions from staff when you come in an hour before they close and they are cleaning up. read more

The food was excellent, one of the best meals we have had in a long long time. The service was not as good. Also this new approach of adding 3% to the bill as a "support a living wage" is ridiculous. Pay the employees a higher wage and support that with your pricing structure Did I say the food was excellent read more

Love this place and the patio. Awesome corn pizza and spicy chicken pizza. Love the cioppino (light supper, not heavy at all), the mussels, wings, shrimp chuzos, roast chicken, burger, llapingachos, tacos, and red salsa. Great wine and cocktails too! Patio is well shaded so you won't get too hot in the summer sun. The kitchen can get a little backed up if the place is really crowded but recently we haven't had any issues with food wait times. Just get an extra marg and enjoy it! read more

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My 4 star is others 5 star. The food, service and atmosphere was very good, to get 5 stars a business must also have exceptional value. The CFO and I stopped there for lunch and knew it was our kind of place with the glass over head doors, opening into the dining room. We had a cozy booth for two, then we could rub legs. Service was prompt and friendly. I got the tostada special and a Surly Ax Man and she got the breakfast burger special with an egg and bacon. Both were very good, the burger came with a very fresh, simple and tasty salad. The prices were what you would expect if the portions were a little smaller. They stayed past closing time for us and the chef talked to us, he is from Ecuador. He encouraged us to come back for diner, we will. read more

My wife & I liked the atmosphere, and the menu items looked good, though prices seemed a bit on the high side. We ordered a silver margarita, which was tasty, but somewhat expensive for the size. We shared a gazpacho soup, but it was blended into a smooth cream; we prefer it chunkier. I had a salmon special, with grilled vegetables, potatoes, and a grapefruit sauce. This preparation was interesting to try but I prefer the more flavorful corn salsa and kale style Rosa Mexicano used to serve. L ordered the bean tacos (she's vegetarian). The beans were pretty hard and bland, and she had to ask for hot sauce and a side of guacamole to make eating them worthwhile. The service was pleasant and the food was not offensive--it just seemed bland to our taste and expensive for the sizes served. read more

The owner/hostess was very rude and unwelcoming when we said we didn't have a reservation. We arrived right as they opened and during our time there only three other tables were occupied so her behavior regarding a reservation seemed a bit over the top. The food was just ok and thankfully our server was delightful. A bit expensive for the small serving size. Glad I tried it but won't make an effort to return. read more

I've been passing La Mesa for years, always been intrigued by the small Latin restaurant with deep blue walls and garage doors and a large adorable patio with string lights, thinking for sure this must be some fantastic hidden gem. Alas, it left me hoping for more. They still have a lot of odd covid rules, which may have bothered me less if it wasn't cold and rainy the day we went - including rules that included additional service charges, no check splitting, and some other asterisk on the menu I can't remember. Our server had zero personality... didn't make for a poor experience, but certainly not an exemplary one either. We started with some martinis for a cocktail which were good - although my husband got gypped of his olives (and didn't share mine, sorry) and an order of mussels. The mussels and the sauce were good, not the best I've ever had, but there was still a good flavor. I wish they gave us more than 2 little pieces of bread with it. And I'm not quite sure if it came with bacon or if they just dropped a couple of tiny pieces in there. We wrapped with a glass of the house cabernet which was quite good and I had an order of the chorizo pizza and my husband had the burger. His burger was actually quite divine and perfectly cooked. The bun was a little soggy, but that could be easily overlooked. The pizza was also good - very greasy, but to be expected with chorizo which was not overly dry which is hard to pull off. I definitely ate more than I intended which is always a good sign, but unfortunately, I think I overhyped this place in my mind for what it is. read more

Stop by this chef owned place! We find it quite by accident when avoiding traffic on I394, and I will not complain about traffic again! It was a great find. They have a beer/wine money and happy hour for those needing a libation. We stopped in and had already eaten, but did order the wood-fired pizza special with a Latin twist: roasted corn and garlic. There was also a little hot pepper in there that gave the sweet of the corn the right amount of kick. The pizza was cooked perfectly (so often those wood burners char it--not this one!). We sat at the bar area and watched all of the cooking. Everything that came out of the kitchen looked amazing! I can't wait to go try it. This is a great place to take friends and family as they can fit groups. The staff was very friendly. The place just makes you feel like you've been there before--and if you go often, I bet they get to know your name. Enjoy the Latin flavors! read more

La Mesa - New Year's Eve 2019. - Pizza Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

We've been to La Mesa a number of times. They never fail to impress. Last night we had hibiscus martini's, beet salad, shrimp and scallop risotto, and fried plantains. Everything was excellent! You can tell that La Mesa takes pride in what they are serving. Definitely recommend a trip there if you're thinking about it. read more

La Mesa - Hibiscus martini - Pizza Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Just okay. Excited to try an Ecuadorian restaurant in a cool neighborhood. Hoped for a hipper version of Chimbarozo. No such luck. Great location but it does not feel authentic. Pizzas burgers and bland tacos can be found on the menu. Tried the ceviche, it was small and bland. My wife had fish tacos. The tortillas were cold and crumbly, the fish was cold and tasteless. I had the Ecuadorian pork plate. It was a basic roast pork . Didn't taste like anything like you could make at home. You can buy a lot pork shoulder for $22. Disappointed because it could be so much better. read more

What a disappointment. I came in and sat at the counter. The height of the counter vs the height of the chair makes it difficult to eat. Maybe it's great for drinks but not eating. So I move to a table and the server moves the menus to me and I tell her I'm ready to order. She walks off without taking the order and I wait 5 minuets till she's back. I order and, good, the food comes quickly. Beware though, if you order something it's all al la carte. No chips with your small over priced tacos. Oh, and it seems for a $3 soda, there's no refills either. For a lunch trip when there was only 25% of the tables filled I would at least expect one trip to my table asking how the food was or if I needed anything. Cooks were great but portions too small and overpriced for the portion and selection. read more

I so wanted to love this place. I was sad after Sparks closed and hoped like crazy the new bistro would be similar in price point and quality. It isn't. First of all La Mesa is suffering to form an identity of its own while trying to please the Bryn Mawr neighborhood folks who are begging to have the Sparks pizza menu remain as it was. The only problem with this is, it detracts from the fact that La Mesa is supposed to be an Ecuadorian restaurant. I LOVED the Sparks pizzas, BUT this attempt to please everyone makes the menu a mishmash of unrelated items. After eating Ecuadorian food in NE I figured the affordability would be good and I kept an open mind about the possibilities. So I trekked her with my sister who also loved Sparks. La Mesa entrees are almost all over $20 and the small plates are a mere snack and an expensive one at that, so this is not a place to take the family for a break from eating at home. The price point is more like a very nice dinner out. Maybe $50 for two people if you order two entrees, no drinks and don't leave a tip. The Ecuadorian corn is one of the most tasteless things I've ever had. It's awful, AND, I just don't get how they turned Ecuadorian food into such an expensive endeavor. There are Ecuadorian restaurants in town that serve tasty food and don't break the bank. This could be a great restaurant. I know they are working hard to be successful and I truly wish them the best, but I am aching for a restaurant in this neighborhood that provides good food and I can also afford to take my family to once in a while. At these prices, it pains me to say I won't be back until I hear there has been a big menu change. I had such high hopes... read more

We were disappointed when we heard the news that Sparks was closing, and immediately thrilled when we heard that a new restaurant was opening in its place. It's totally new owners and a totally new vibe - and it TOTALLY works. They've kept the pizza (probably because when your kitchen comes stocked with a wood-burning pizza oven, you figure out how to make pizza!), but have also added a brand-new twist that our neighborhood really needs. They've incorporated Ecuadorian flavors and traditions into their menu items, and the food is pretty great. We had the Mahi Mahi, which came with a mildly spicy mango salsa, a perfectly complementary green sauce, and tasty cilantro rice; Mahi Mahi tacos, which came with the expected but tasty accoutrements of avocado, slaw, and mango salsa; and sides of rice and beans and mote. The llapingachos with aji looked amazing so that's going to be on our list of sides next time, too. All of our food was cooked and seasoned perfectly, and the staff was all so nice. They have a few kids items available, a burger, and a wide variety of pizzas and other entrees and apps. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming - and they even added a TV in the bar section. I wish I had something to offer in terms of things that they could work on as they finish up their first week, but it was SO GOOD and we're just psyched that there's a restaurant offering all of this deliciousness to Bryn Mawr. Welcome to the neighborhood, La Mesa! We'll be back for takeout embarrassingly frequently. read more

The food is excellent. The staff were indifferent to the point of rudeness. The atmosphere inside is really dark and uninspired. Outside patio area is nice. I'll go back for the food and make reservations on the patio read more

We went here with friends for a party of 7 and La Mesa has excellent food and service! This place serves Ecuadorian food and they can serve a few items vegan such as the Ecuadorian Veggie Platter and the bean tacos! I loved the plantains especially. Serves beer, wine and cocktails. Dark, cozy place with patio seating in warmer months! We will definitely be back!!! read more

Sweet, romantic place with cozy indoor and outdoor shaded seating. Yummy cocktails. Delicious food. Mango Avocado Salad and the llapingachos are a must. Easily one of the best burgers in the TC (get it medium rare)! read more

It's been way too long living in bryn mawr without trying this place. There is good selection of beer and I enjoyed the Mesa burger. Wait staff was kind even though it was a crazy night due to the owner/chef being out. He said they will be adding hard liquor soon, which I find essential. My number 1 bang piece had the fish tacos, she enjoyed them but said it was a little light on the mahi mahi. read more

La Mesa you are truly magnificent, I had a spectacular experience here today. Phenomenal menu items, friendly staff, beautiful atmosphere - what more could you ask for? After reading the reviews I purchased Tomato Avocado Salad, and it was so good, it is now my favorite dish. Team are incredibly charming and service is very swift. I love La Mesa and will certainly come back. read more

Great new neighborhood restaurant! We had the slow roasted pork dinner and mahi-mahi tacos both of which were great. Definitely will be back. Laun and Ruth read more

La Mesa owners are doing an exceptional job of assuring safety during COVID while still providing delicious eating. As an RN, I'm very conscious of the steps to prevent disease transmission and they're really doing it right! Thanks for serving us during this time and always for a wonderful eating experience! read more

Came here for lunch and it was great! Did the Mussels (minus pork) and Ceviche. Both fantastic! We also split the mahi tacos which were also very good. Our waitress was very friendly. We came early at 11:30 so no wait and not many people there yet. Highly recommend, cute place. read more

I live in the neighborhood and this place is absolutely awesome. The service is great, the pricing is perfect for the food quality and ambiance. They have this great dining room where they can open the clear bay doors and outdoor seating in the summer which I am very much looking forward to. We took our food sensitive friend here and she loved it, they have something for everyone. They did a special menu on Valentines day and it was superb. I highly recommend a visit. Try the fried plantains, they are delightful. read more