I finally checked out Ámbar inside the Plaza Hotel downtown and honestly... that burger alone…read morealready earned them a return visit. I had just come down from a Tom Lea gallery event upstairs and the restaurant was packed. I figured it was a long shot, but they still found a way to seat me. Service stayed friendly even with the rush, which I always notice. The burger was easily one of the best I've had in El Paso. Clearly handcrafted, cooked right, super juicy, really flavorful. What impressed me most was the bun actually held everything together instead of falling apart halfway through like most gourmet burgers do. At about $20, it felt justified. One thing worth noting, especially if you're into spirits: they have one of the largest tequila and mezcal collections around. Definitely a destination spot if that's your thing. I tried their carajillo but found out they add Baileys, which made it sweeter than I usually prefer. Not bad at all, just more dessert-leaning than my taste. Live music from Jordan Taylor was happening that night too, which made the whole atmosphere feel elevated without being stuffy. Because that first visit stuck with me, I went back recently to try their lunch special with a friend. For $26 you get an appetizer, entrée, sides, guacamole, tostadas, and dessert. It's honestly a great way to try a range of dishes without committing to just one plate. Funny enough, it doesn't look like a huge amount of food at first... but we were completely stuffed by the end, so kudos to them for balancing portions well while still giving variety. Standouts: * The octopus cocktail appetizer was excellent. Bright, fresh, good texture. * Carne asada was cooked exactly right. Tender but still had bite like a proper steak. * Mushroom components in several dishes were surprisingly flavorful. * Desserts were a highlight. The arroz con leche arancini especially. Crispy outside, creamy inside, not overly sweet. Very well done. Some things were more middle-of-the-road: * Salmon dish leaned bland, lots of texture but not much flavor. * Guacamole tasted a bit acidic. * Goat cheese in the enchiladas was subtle to the point of disappearing. * Corn and mashed potatoes were fine but nothing memorable. Timing was reasonable. Food came out in about 20 minutes, but with a full meal you'll want to plan roughly an hour to an hour and a half total if you're not rushing. One practical perk: they validate parking at the Plaza garage next door, which downtown absolutely needs more of. Overall, beautiful space, solid service, some really strong dishes, and a few that could use more punch. Still very much worth checking out, especially if you're downtown already or want a nicer but still relaxed lunch or dinner spot. Definitely recommend giving it a try. 106 W Mills Ave, El Paso, TX 79901

Nice ambiance. Business appropriate , date appropriate…read more Service was pretty good. We ate here 3 times and the food is ok to good but forgettable. Live music on certain nights. All I remember after 3 meals is that the guac wasn't very good. Too acidic and not enough flavor.

Don't miss culinary experience. Mexican, Asian, Italian fusion with a little New Mexico green chile…read morethrown in. And craft cocktails. So, call it New American. Don't ask, just eat. Quiet evening, an hour before closing, and the staff was ready for anything. Pretty venue. The chef welcomed our table. Great specials BTW. Especially Faculty Friday discounts. The soju cocktails are especially refreshing. And they make an excellent Old Fashioned. The pot stickers are a must-order for appetizers. Delicate wrapper, crisp finish, chorizo and Italian sausage filling. And yet they were light. Sooooo good. Don't miss the lettuce wraps either. Beef, chicken, kim chi. Yum. We also ordered beef stroganoff (must order dish here), green chile Alfredo, whipped feta burger, and strawberry ginger salad. All are highly recommended. No tipping policy. Staff are paid appropriately. I 100% approve of that. If this place was in Austin or Houston it would have an hour wait for a table. Innovative food, great service, an engaged chef, and a pretty venue. Michelin star worthy if they ever visit EP.

Though we have only made it to Twisted Fork for brunch, so far, we have enjoyed the two times we…read morehave dropped in. The food is delicious, the service is good, but if it gets too crowded, they won't be able to see you. If you need to, maybe make a reservation. I'm totally interested in coming back to try their cocktails. Some friends visiting El Paso, earlier in the year, made it in for dinner said that they truly enjoyed it. I was a bit jealous. During the most recent brunch, I enjoyed an avocado toast, with a side of eggs. I should have considered another protein on the side, but after all was said and done, I was full and happy with that. The coffee was hot and bottomless. An interesting note is that they pay their servers a full wage so you don't have to tip...but if you did, they would very much appreciate it. They also have a military discount. We will return.

Food is great but service is exceptional. Maurice is an outstanding host every time. He is…read moreprofessional, warm, helpful, and engaging. Most of all, he is attentive, listens, and makes excellent recommendations. He knows how to care for customers.

Experience and customer service was 10/10…read more Will def be back. Parking was easy. They accommodated us having a baby in a stroller and every employee we encountered was extremely welcoming and sweet. Food is great. The steak was cooked perfectly to my liking.

They have plenty of specials going on all week. Didnt have any food, but they had basic bar drinks…read moreand karaoke! Pretty neat experience to go visit Marty Robbins inspiration for his song!

I'm going to come back and edit this review to fully encapsulate how awesome this gem of a…read morerestaurant in El Paso! For now, just wow. I'm driving a U-Haul from Houston to LA and just needed a decent spot to eat at. Had no idea I would receive the best Tex-Mex EVER! It was seriously so good that I decided to stay the night in El Paso just to eat breakfast in this city in the morning...

This place is downtown! It had a good ambiance and music, the drinks were great and so was the…read moreburgers. Staff was very nice as well!

Second time we went we split a chicken sandwich, food was amazing! We will always return.read more