For my partner's birthday, he chose the Movida, a Persian and Mexican Fusion restaurant downtown in the heart of SF's SOMA neighborhood. I made a reservation on OpenTable and arrived early, as I expected more traffic around the area. The restaurant is beautiful, with rich striking colors and a warm vibe. The tables are sleek granite and the menu is short but sweet, meaning enough for all to enjoy something here. Since I was waiting, I ordered a still large water and a colorful cocktail called the Alebrije , including Tequila, Yellow Chartreuse, Carrot, Ginger, Cilantro, Lime, Habanero Bitters. Flavors were very good, probably one of the most balanced cocktails I've had recently. So it's my new favorite. My guy arrives and orders this drink, the Anar-ita - which shows up served in a BONG (surprise...surprise, there were laughs all around the table as the owner lit the smoke bubble. Definitely hilarious and a tasty unique cocktail to match. We ordered one prix fixer menu, sounds simple enough as a Persian Salad, Fish was flaky buttery halibut over rice and a dessert. This was wonderful on it's own, however we just needed to try more and ordered the Aguachiles, with Fresh Local Fish, Serrano, Tomatillo, Green Plum Broth, Persian Cucumbers, Avocado, Chives (beautifully plated). We also ordered the Jalapeño Beef and Lamb Koobideh tacos, which were very unique and tasty. The whole meal was a beautiful balance of flavors and fresh ingredients, the service was not only attentive but super friendly and gave my partner a free dessert for his birthday. We enjoyed spending time talking to the owner, she was incredibly hospitable, as well as the other servers and bartenders that helped us this day. Movida is perfect for celebrating special occasions, date nights or "treat yourself" dinners. Highly recommended, read more

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First time here. We had a reservation for four but only two were able to join. We were set immediately in the front booth. The vibe was really cool and intimate. It was our server's third day and the restaurant was getting busy. I ordered the dip appetizer that came with guacamole and salsa, the guacamole was absolutely delicious and it had pomegranates which was just an added burst of flavor. The salsa was like water and that was really new to me I feel like it was more of a hot sauce that you put on food not dip a chip in because it didn't stay on the chip. I ordered the burger and chips and it was very unique with the roasted crushed tomatoes. The burger had good flavor and The house chips were good. For dessert the donut was recommended by our server but we did not like it at all. It had some type of feeling and was covered in pistachios and it just wasn't something we enjoyed. The other guest did not have the best experience with ordering his drink or the food that he received. Overall I would say based on the service and the food and drinks I would say 3 to 4 stars. But giving hrace for our server being new and the food having great flavor I will give four stars. I don't know that I would dine in again but if I do I would definitely get that guacamole again. read more

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Food and ambience was 10/10 Server was so accommodating and attentive Would come back again read more

Movida - Persian/Iranian Near Me - San Francisco, California

I absolutely LOVE this place!!! From the minute I walked in, the vibe, kind of sexy, mysterious, dark opulence. Love! We were so lucky to be taken care of by the sweetest young lady, don't have her name, she was French, she just made the whole experience an absolute pleasure. I had a Shishi, it was as delicious as it was a showstopper. The Azizam was also good. The food was excellent, those corn ribs were addictive. The skewers were presented in a way to make a little taco, cute & different. This is now my fave place in SF. And please let our server know how wonderful she is, I don't want to use the wrong name I should have written it down, she was really special!!! It was my birthday the night I dined there, she made it a great dining experience. read more

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This is an excellent spot for food & drinks if you're looking for a chill ambiance. We were there with a pretty big group and were able to have conversations with each other without having to yell. Upon entry, the restaurant staff had coat and bag check! The cocktails were pretty good, but quite strong. A couple of us ordered the Shishi because of the performative bubble, but warning: it contains black tea if you're sensitive to caffeine We were here with a big group and got to try various dishes and our favorites of the night were the saffron prawns and the pomegranate bbq chicken wings! We ended up ordering extra rounds of those because they were shareable. Also got the chips & dips with pomegranate salsa and roasted eggplant dip. Both were pretty good but pomegranate salsa is on the sweeter side. The habanero pasta has a good kick, not too spicy, and the noodles were cooked very al dente. I ended up taking one to-go and it reheated pretty well (after removing the avocado) read more

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I had a lovely pre-concert dinner here with friends. I ordered several cocktails from their cocktail menu with input from our server and the hostess (who may have been the restaurant owner). Each was very unique and well balanced. My husband and friends ordered more classic drinks and they were happy with how they came out. We didn't have huge appetites so only ordered a few small bites from the menu including the chips/dips (a great choice and good starter to share) and fish, chicken and steak tacos (the steak tacos were my favorite). The restaurant had a fun vibe. Definitely worth checking out! read more

This one of my favorite dinners of recent memory- the atmosphere was relaxed yet vibrant, the service was helpful and friendly, and the food was unique and delicious. I came here on a Friday evening and it was PACKED. I loved the Mexican Persian fusion- haven't seen that before and the flavors mixed beautifully. The cocktail menu was really neat. The prices are a bit steep, but every cocktail I had was unique and really good. Leon y Sol might've been my favorite, but that's because I love saffron. My friend and I just ordered a bunch of dishes to share. The birria short rib tostada was juicy and filling- a bit messy to cut up but worth it! The chile rellano with lamb inside was definitely a different combo from what I've ever seen, but I couldn't get enough of it. The skewers were not what I expected, but I loved it. It was fun making mini sandwiches. And the jalapeño beef and lamb paired well with the veggies and sauce. We loooved the chips and dip. We decided to try 3 of the dips (need to come back for the pico de gallo). The pomegranate salsa was so good as a sauce on other items and the roasted eggplant was so flavorful. And finally the tres leche dessert was moist and tasty. A great end of the meal! I will be back to try more of the menu! read more

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Went here around when it first opened last year with a couple of friends -- the spot is quite trendy in decoration, and right in FiDi so great for folks looking for a nice dinner spot after work in the area. I was intrigued by the blend of cuisines, and we ordered a few dishes to share. I enjoyed the risotto with bone marrow (crazy pepper shaker involved!) and the octopus. We also got a pizza for the table and some wine. It was overall a bit on the expensive side but left us feeling satisfied. The food did take a while to get here. Would stop by again if I was in the area and looking for a nicer environment to dine read more

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I had bookmarked Movida for my birthday dinner, since coming from Persian roots and loving Mexican food, the Persian/Mexican fusion sounded too interesting to pass up. We were a party of four, arrived early on a Saturday, and were promptly seated. A couple of us had cocktails which were excellent. I went with Persian tea -- the presentation was beautiful, but the tea itself wasn't quite my taste. I prefer it stronger, with that classic cardamom flavor Persians love. The appetizers were a hit. The chips and dip were unique and delicious, and the bone marrow with marmalade was amazing -- such a great combo. We probably tried every taco on the menu, and the koobideh taco was hands-down the favorite. The birria tadig, though, didn't quite hit the mark. The tadig wasn't like Persian tadig, and the garbanzo beans didn't really go well with the birria, although the birria itself was well prepared. I was a little disappointed that they had run out of the wafers for the Persian ice cream and didn't have faloudeh either -- until we were getting ready to leave, when they suddenly had it again! Overall, we had a great night. The food and flavors were wonderful, and the atmosphere was lovely. A little better pacing in serving the appetizers vs. entrees and planning with dessert would have made it perfect. read more

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Came here for a weekday dinner and was surprised to see the place packed! Seems like a known spot for after work drinks/dinner. It took some time for us to get seated and grabbed some drinks at the bar. The music was great and the bar was nice. The drinks had fun presentation but definitely could have been more flavorful and well mixed for the price. The food perfectly hit the mix between Mexican and Persian flavors. Ordered the lamb skewers, the saffron shrimp, the corn ribs, and the steak with fries and caviar. The saffron shrimp was the star of the show and a must order! read more

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Came here with my team for dinner with a reservation and the place was stunning. Food items were good but the drinks were even better. Some of the drinks came in impressive looking glassware with a full on smoke show for presentation - loved it. One star deduction only because the place was quite empty but the food took forever to come out. Service was good but at times we weren't able to locate our server. Here's the rating of some of the food we got: Chips and dip 4/5 - Choice of 2 dips. We got the queso and I forget the second one. But the queso was delicious, warm and great for sharing. Movida fries 5/5 - A great sharing item for the table. Came with saffron salt and chipotle aioli. Crispy and tender on the inside. Movida wings 4/5 - You can either get this with habanero lime or pomegranate BBQ. We got the pomegranate BBQ one and it was sweet, sticky and smokey. Pomegranate adobo chicken taquitos 4/5 - It's pomegranate chicken tinga, labneh, walnut adobo sauce topped with onions, avocado and nigella seeds. this was nice and crispy on the outside and had delicious chicken on the inside. Tacos 5/5 - Their taco selection was great and tasty. You get 2 tacos per order and we got a variety to share. Churros 5/5 - Have to end on a sweet note, always. The churros were fried perfectly, dusted with sugar and came with a delicious sauce. Overall, a great spot for drinks and light snacks. read more

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Great place near the ballpark to grab a drink. Beaufort ambiance for a date night. Limited space at the bar and tables so it can fill up. Drinks are creative. We had the Azizam and Shishi which were both excellent. Will have to return to sample the food. read more

What a vibe! I was in town on a work trip and five of my colleagues and I had plans to grab dinner our first night in. We found this place on Yelp ahead of time and made a reservation and I'm so glad we did because the moment we walked in, we were in awe. The space is swanky! Beautiful chandeliers hang from the ceiling, giant backlit mirrors, a sleek bar, and velvet seating set the stage. It's cozy, yet sexy. We were sat in the very back in a giant booth and it was perfect. Our group decided to order a bunch of stuff from the menu and share, which was a great idea because we got to try so many things and it was all delicious. As a pescatarian, a few of my favorites include the Persian greens salad (a green goddess style salad that was huge), the Baja fish tacos, the sweet corn ribs, saffron prawns (top pick), and the Movida fries. The carnivores at the table loved the filet mignon tacos and Movida wings. For desserts we ordered the churros and the tres leches, which was devine. I'll end by sharing that our waitress was amazing from start to finish. So attentive, helpful, and made us laugh, too. I would absolutely come back for the saffron prawns and tres leches, alone. Highly recommend. read more

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Sucha beautiful restaurant w/ midcentury modern furnishing. I loved the table lamps on the tables! Reminded me of our favorite jazz bar in Warsaw, Poland. Food was executed perfectly, unique and beautifully crafted. Def coming back to try something new from their dinner menu. read more

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The drinks and ambiance are to die for. I am in love with this place! We got the Alebrije and Leon Y Sol. Both we amazing! The Alebrije def was a table favorite. I could order those all night! The flavors of the drinks were well balanced and both were very unique. I also loved the DJ there on Friday night, they were great! read more

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There are so many lovely things to say. I'll name a few in no particular order. 1. Kind and caring staff. We didn't have a reservation and I arrived about 20 minutes before my friend did. Normally, at most restaurants, you cannot be seated until your whole party is seated. They even offer coat checks to maximize space and comfort. 2. The decor is lovely. Look at the photos I posted. I didn't photograph the restroom but it is even more amazing. It is a functional art installation! 3. The food! If you like wings please know that the helping is generous and comprised of both the drum and flat. The pomegranate flavor is lively and exquisite. Get the hybrid nacho & lavash platter! The tastes throughout the menu explode on to your tongue. Visit this lovely place. read more

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Food 3/5 fusion was ok. We got both of the chicken taco options that were recommended. Couldn't really tell much difference from Mexican tacos. Service 2/5. Wrong order, slow food. Staff not attentive. Ambiance 2/5. Flashy to be flashy. Weird vibe inside. read more

Movida - Bar - Persian/Iranian Near Me - San Francisco, California

Came here with some colleagues for a group dinner and OMG. What a meal! We split everything amongst our group of 6 and pretty much ordered the entire menu! While everything was quite good, the standouts in my mind were: the filet mignon tacos, the persian greens, short rib birria tostadas, movida fries, sweet corn ribs, and the pomegranate chicken taquitos (though the walnut adobo sauce had a bit of a kick!). For beverages I stuck with the mocktails and enjoyed the Pico Lima, which was basically a boozeless pina colada. So good! It was PACKED with a lot ice though, so I wish there had been a bit more drink in there given the price tag for a mocktail, a steep $15. Service was incredible, the space isn't big but I loved the vibe--all the velvet, jewel toned decor, etc. Solid experience from start to finish! read more

We had the best experience here! Such a unique, vibey place Our server was the sweetest ever, didn't catch her name but she was so helpful and had an amazing energy, she made us feel so welcomed This was my first time eating Mexican/persian fusion food and it was delicious. For starters we did chips, salsa & guac and the caviar fries. My friends and I loved both For my main I did the saffron tacos and was so satisfied To drink I ordered the como La flor and loved it, such a gorgeous drink Ambiance is so fun The perfect was to start the night. Very fun playlist too! I would definitely recommend Movida and would definitely return in the future read more

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Overall the food was so tasty and the service was very fast. Went before a dodger game really enjoyed every dish full of flavor. The birria was cooked to perfection. read more

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Very cool place, nice decor and ambiance. Service was impeccable. And the food was super interesting. It's smaller menu but we really liked the unique flavors found in staples like fried chicken and hamburger. The cocktails were also very delicious and inventive. We'll be back! read more

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I enjoyed my experience here. The restaurant itself is beautiful! You come here and you feel you're transported to a different location. We started with some cocktails. We got the chilosa and the persian tini. The chilosa was very good--it was a deep purple color and it tasted so smooth and earthy. We shared the taquitos with pomegranate chicken. I loved the walnuts and pomegranate and thought it was well flavored. The adobo sauce was delicious. We also shared the chile relleno and the aguachile. The aguachile was super delicious and fresh. The fish was perfect and the flavors were so light and fragrant. I would have loved the aguachile to have something to be paired with. You only get the rice option if you want but this would be best paired with some type of chip. I personally liked the chile relleno. This came with lamb and basmati rice. The oaxacan cheese and saffron in the tomato hit the spot. This was a well-balanced dish. The food came out at the same time though we requested the appetizers to come first. I think there was a miscommunication. I would suggest 2 plates to share and the entrees. Cocktails are definitely a star of the show. read more

(This review is for their NYE party) We were so excited to find tickets for their NYE event a few hours before the event given that most events from other places were sold out. We decided to go for it since the tickets were cheap $145 for unlimited cocktails, "passed bites", "caviar bump", "Dom Perignon" champagne toast etc. we were so excited but man, the experience was not the best Inconsistent service from bartenders - When we got there around 9:45 - we were lucky enough to snag a table. My BF proceeded to go to the bar to get one of the unlimited cocktails but the menu was just kinda meh. We decided we would just get our own drinks - red wine for me and fortaleza neat for my bf. Apparently the first bartender he asked for red wine told him they didn't serve red wine or other beverages that night besides the cocktail menu. We found that odd. When my bf was getting a 2nd drink, he noticed the other bartender was serving other beverages, so he asked that bartender instead and he got me my red wine finally "Passed bites" - we're a cup of fries, some kinda skewer that we didn't get bec they skipped our table, a lamb bite which was v small, fortune cookie, and that's about it. We were very disappointed w the passed bites given the amount of money we paid The caviar bump wasn't really for everyone. There was a lady walking around w a tray of caviar but not really approaching everyone. And she was only walking around for ~30 mins We also saw some party getting move around bec of some table reservation. We did have fun and met some cool people but that event was def not worth $145 (plus tax plus tips) IMO. read more

Movida - NYE drink menu - Persian/Iranian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Great vibe, delicious food, superb service and hospitality, and always a fun night out. Oh, and those gorgeous cocktails and the caviar service are not to be missed read more

Absolutely blown away by this restaurant. We ate there last night and I was tempted to write the review immediately but felt I should at least wait until the morning, lest the delicious cocktails alter my review. You'll be happy to know: My enthusiasm has not tempered. Although the concept of Persian fusion is not new, it's hard to find a place that does it as well. The Persian and Mexican influences are both clearly present and they work together perfectly. The menu is extraordinarily well crafted, and thought out. Interestingly, I consider this a Persian restaurant, but I could easily see how somebody else would view this as a Mexican restaurant. I don't think either of us would be wrong. The Birria with Tahdig, the fesenjoon (pomegranate stew) taquitos, the prawns, the Persian greens were all equally loved by our party. As I alluded to earlier, the cocktails were similarly designed to highlight the sweetest aspects of Persian cuisine but if you don't like cocktails, you're also in luck, because they do a fantastic job of stocking Persian beers. As an aside, you might like to know the first evidence of purposely made beer, was found in the Zagros Mountains of Iran, so making beer is as Iranian as anything. Lastly, the service was impeccable and hospitable, as you would expect from any Persian restaurant I can't wait to return. read more

I really enjoyed the vibes at Movida. Our group went for a small work dinner and we had such a fun time. The playlist was great - a lot of fun EDM music, mixed with good latin music as well. The menu was impressive too - the highlights for me were the chile relleno and the tres leche. They have a lot of good small bites on the menu that we tried too. It's an interesting concept with a Persian and Mexican Fusion, but they pull it off well. We were also impressed with the drink selection. read more

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Good date night spot! They have a few vegetarian options that can be made vegan! the drinks are interesting and good! fries were mediocre (6/10). i got the tomato stuffed dolmen and thought it was alright (wish it had more flavor and dressing or something). bryce got the aguachile are loved it (said it was light and refreshing and very good flavors). read more

Movida - Persian/Iranian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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We hosted our company holiday party at Movida for about 90 employees, and it was an absolutely fantastic experience from start to finish. The venue is stylish and swanky without feeling pretentious, the food was outstanding, and the service was truly impeccable. The team created custom menus for our event and did an exceptional job accommodating a large number of vegetarian guests--everyone felt taken care of, and no one ever had to wait for food or drinks. Everything flowed seamlessly all night, which made the event feel effortless and fun. The DJ was rad, playing a perfect mix of Top 40 hits and house music that kept the energy high. Huge shoutout to Bobby, who made planning easy and stress-free, and Shima, who was onsite all evening ensuring every detail went smoothly. Plus the bartenders were incredibly talented to support a group our size. Standout dishes for me were the pomegranate salsa, guacamole, veggie and fish tacos, and the halibut agua chile, everything was absolutely delicious. Movida is officially my new go-to spot, and I can't recommend it enough for both events and a great night out. Highly recommend checking it out! read more

My first time to this restaurant. Saw this Michelin restaurant in facebook. It looked very impressed so I decided to go try. When I walked in, it looked like a bar it doesn't looked like a restaurant. So the host seated us down and found out she's our waitress too. Shima was very nice. CHILOSA drink tasted so refreshing and the tacos were delicious. Persian tea was good too. But the saffron prawns were bland not too much flavor. Fried chicken was crispy with no bones. Only street parking no parking lot that's a minus. Good luck to find one. After all it was a nice experience food was totally different from what I normally ordered from other restaurants. read more

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Movida is apparently Persian food. I couldn't tell you either way because all I know is this place is classy (for better or for worse). Just a basic rule for me I tend to stay away from fancy and high end. It's not in my personality (or my price range). Every now and then I'll indulge in the fine life. Then I'm consistently reminded you don't need to pay double the price to get the same amount of flavor. All that being said, Movida was very legit. I got these chips and dips and the best thing about it is that you can pick 2 dips from like a list of 7. I think that needs to be more common. Don't try boxing me in on my dipping choices. I need options. As a self proclaimed hamburger expert, you know I had to get the burger. No lies it was really good. Absolutely not worth the price but fans of good burgers will be plenty happy with this. This place oozes class. The menu is full of Persian hits I think? Lots of special drink options if you are into that. They do some special events and such on top of all of that. Congrats Movida, you have moved me. (4.3 Stars) read more

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Cute little Mexican and Persian fusion place in the South Park area! Came on a weekday rather early so was able to grab a spot at the bar. Otherwise, reservation is your best bet. They have very interesting and tasty cocktails. I got the pomegranate chicken tacos but the chicken is very dry so giving it 4 stars instead of 5. This can be a good date night spot. I would come back to try the other cocktails. read more

We tried the fries, burger, short rib birria tostada, steak, and nachos. Everything except the nachos was so good--juicy, flavorful, unique, and really well done. The space had a fancy but warm vibe, which we loved. The only thing that threw me off a bit was how often they kept cleaning the table right in front of us. It felt a little much, and we had to move our stuff around a few times. Other than that, it was a great spot! read more

"What's the most swankified place in town?" "Why, that would be Movida!" Seriously though, Movida has an air of sophistication, swank, and luxury that is admittedly surprising to find nestled between SF Giants sports bars. We dropped in for a night cap to find this place absolutely bustling with suave young couples and bachelorette parties. The drinks were delicious with a play on both Mexican and Persian flavors, which are both full of bold and colorful tastes. Surprisingly, the flavors didn't clash but rather played on each other for extremely memorable flavors. While we didn't splurge on the $50 "Millionaires Margarita", the table next to us did -- and they let us oogle over how playfully it was presented in a makeshift water pipe, haha! (For the record, they said it was worth the price tag). We also ordered the sweet and icy Faloodeh dessert, and my Persian boyfriend gave his seal of approval over the authenticity. It was good and surprisingly filling -- could be easily spread between a group of four. Overall, the vibe was sexier and more sophisticated than initially expected, and we loved the Persian music coming from the DJ in the loft space. Will be back again soon. read more

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What a gem of a place. Came here two nights in a row. Amazing fusion food and even better drinks. Must try for anyone read more

Movida - Persian/Iranian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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The food was very yummy. The people there were very nice and attentive. The food had amazing taste. I will definitely go back.

Hey this is a great spot! It was Michelin quality all around from the service to the food. Jorge is a warm and friendly host and brought in a welcoming atmosphere. I tried the Kabob and Egg Rancheros and they tasted amazing. I finished my whole plate and scrubbed it clean cause the movida rancheros sauce was hittin good. Be ready to spend cause the whole menu looks tasty. read more

Movida - Kabob & Egg Rancheros - Persian/Iranian Near Me - San Francisco, California

Really liked Movida! Solid (& strong) cocktails, great ambiance, and staff was pretty friendly. Will definitely return. We came a half hour before close so we had to order quickly but no big deal. Food came out fast. We tried the caviar fries (nice and crispy, caviar was tasty), the burger (awesome flavor, super juicy), and the saffron shrimp (flavor bomb though a bit heavy on the pepper). Drinks were good too, I liked the Shishi a lot. Oh and the restaurant is super cute, loved the lighting - the DJ was playing some throwback dance music and it was a vibe. Our server was friendly too, though we felt a little ignored after getting our food but I think they were just trying to wrap up for the night. read more

First time at this location, which is kind of an interesting neighborhood. This is less of a restaurant with music, but rather more of a club that has food the food is a mix of Mexican and Persian vibes and is on the price your side, but the quality is actually not bad. However, the chicken taquitos I got as you can see from the picture were very burnt on the edge that was a little disappointing. The lamb was nice. The tortilla chips were very plain and the sauces were nothing to write home about. read more

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I didn't enjoy my experience here. Host was a bit rude and I felt like she was speaking to me in a condescending way. The waiter also took forever to come by and was also rude - I felt like she was rushing us to leave even though it says they close at 11pm but at 10pm they gave us the check while the whole place was full. Music is pretty loud, hard to have conversation. Chairs are not very comfy with no backing. Staff not attentive. Drinks range anywhere from $20 to even a $50 marg. Parking was okay to find, but not the best. Ambiance - dark and luxe but music too loud and somewhat small. I love music but my friend sat across and she could not hear me. Very overpriced in my opinion. read more

Really fun brunch environment. Super cute restaurants with a great menu and option for unlimited brunch cocktails. However, the service here is TERRIBLE! With reservations took us over 30 mins to get a seated. No refills on water, I had to flag down our server to ask questions, order more drinks, food etc. servers are too busy at the bar taking shots with one another. Will not be back due to service. read more

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