Two stars given to this place for the food and service. Average pasta, small portions for a lot of money. Food took for ever to get and came in at different times which caused my group to eat at different times. Two of my friends waited an additional 30 mins for their meal. Piano bar entertainment was great, i would give them a 5 star for that. My recommendation is, have a nice meal elsewhere and come in for drinks and entertainment. read more

I had dinner here while on a business trip. I was drawn by the fact that it participates in United's Mileage Plus dining program (if I am travelling on business I like to earn miles outta my expense account). Anyway, I tend to regard places I find using the Mileage Plus dining program to be soft on the gastronomy (read: below average food quality) and more focused on marketing. They're usually pretty cookie cutter places that just serve food off the Sysco truck. Some break that mold, but in general, that's how I feel. Vanessie fits that mold pretty consistently. The decor is standard New Mexican. I had a pulled pork sandwich to start and was still hungry so I had the filet. The meat quality on both dishes was standard foodservice grades. There was no indication that it was premium meats, and every indication that the meat had likely been frozen and was not a premium cut. Seasoning, sides, etc all appeared pretty flat and standard-fare for, like I said earlier, being pulled right off a Sysco truck and prepped by a quick-serve kitchen staff. The restaurant strives to come off as a "fine dining" establishment or a great "steakhouse", but I think they miss the mark on the food. The decor/ambiance/facility does go in that direction, but the most important aspect of hitting those labels has to be borne out in the food - and at Venessie, it's not. The prices aren't low, either. I'd agree with some of the other reviews if the prices were 35%-50% lower (depending on items), but for $36 I expect a better "filet" than is served at somewhere like Applebees. Granted, I won't get dry-aged Wagyu, but honestly, this place is serving up thawed bulk foodservice meats - not locally sourced never-frozen stuff - and that's what I expect at this price point. read more

The older more homosexual people in this town think it's the "Cat's Meow"... I find it bearable as long as an SF Reporter party isn't going on at the same time... I find the portions to be mediocre, the service to be "dress-exclusive" as a patron, and the live music is OK... If you're like 150 years old. read more

Ok, I would probably have given this 1 stars, but our server was really nice. My friend and I stopped into the piano bar section, and not into the restaurant section. The piano was Loud, like really LOUD. My friend and I couldn't hear each other... and I am not that old yet. We were going to order food, but the piano guy was singing his heart out, loudly. When she told the bartender that it was really loud, he was like, "That's just how it is, get over it." I understand the concept of a piano bar, but this was a Thursday night, the bar was basically empty, and it wasn't like this was a sing along kind of place... We ended up leaving after our 1 drink, because it wasn't fun to be there. read more

Vanessie - Vanessie of Santa Fe - Bars Near Me - Santa Fe, New Mexico

I dined at the Vanessie several years prior and for some convoluted reason remembered the New Zealand Rack of Lamb being out of the world! So fast-forward several years later and I made it a priority to revisit The Vanessie during our first night back in beautiful Santa Fe. And yes I had to get the New Zealand Rack of Lamb once again, and certainly my taste buds thanked me for the favor. The atmosphere in the evening is romantic especially with Doug Montgomery (who I think has been there since the days of the Pueblo Revolt) playing the piano in the background. The lounge area is a wonderful way to spend a mellow Saturday evening listening to music, sipping a cocktail, and lounging by the fireplace. Now if Vanessie would just open a sister property in Maryland, all would be well with the world. Indeed the restaurant may be a bit hard to tract down for those not familiar with Santa Fe as it sits maybe an odd 5 or 6 blocks west of the plaza. Although maybe not so great for business, the secluded/residential location certainly helps to enhance the relaxing mood of the restaurant and lounge. If you are staying anywhere in Santa Fe, a visit to the Vanessie in the evening will certainly enhance your overall experience and mood. And if you are a Santa Fe native, all I can say is that I am secretly jealous of the pleura of culinary delights available to you in your own backyard. read more

So incredibly disappointed with the food there this evening. I understand they just revamped their menu but let me tell you it's not for the better. So bland and so boring. The pappardelle with the meatballs was so blase that I apologized to our guests that joined us. For an upscale restaurant their beer selection is abysmal. They really need to step it up. Not impressed at all. read more

Couldn't believe how far the food and beverage service has gone down the hill. Also, entered the front door, so were unaware of the newish $5 cover per person which got tacked to our bill. Service was awful, onion ring loaf came out twenty minute after we finished eating, plate hot, onions room temperature. Had to ask multiple times for beverage refills. Busser constantly came up and piled saucers or plates on food we were eating -so you guessed it, out group didn't get to finish much of anything. It became funny after the fifth time. Busser needs training. If one has a fork in your hand and plate half full it is bad to stack something on your half eaten food. Music and entertainment was awesome, but not the usual Saturday night host, and started quite late. Gratuity of 20% was automatically added to out bill because there was four of us. Different then what menu said bit waitress with lip piercing said, well that happens when we you have more then one check, and she didn't say it in a nice way, always acting annoyed. Had to remind waitress multiple times that ordered drinks never came. On a Saturday night, Zozobra weekend only 7 small tables were seated during our entire evening stay (we arrived early) and three of those were two people, and one a single person. Three left early. This place has gone from A+ to an F. Asked to speak to a manager but not one came. New management? Or what happened? We regret our tradition of visiting this place likely has come to a close, or we will eat first, pay the $5 cover which is only posted on the side door, not the front. No longer recommend. read more

This is essentially the bar and lounge I'm writing about. This could be your best, most fun cocktail hours and early evening that you will have in Santa Fe. Doug Montgomery is an awesome, if not gifted, entertainer and pianist. He is engaging and fun in the lounge and you'll enjoy every minute he's playing. Food are bar foods, I wouldn't eat anything bigger at the little cocktail tables, but you can have some snacks while you're cocktailing gets busy, get there early and enjoy. Not much more to say on this read more

Vanessie's is one of stops every time that we come to Santa Fe. We always check the schedule to find out when Doug Montgomery will be playing piano and we arrive early to make sure that we get a seat. We usually eat small dishes for dinner and enjoy a couple of drinks as we listen to Doug work his magic on the piano. Doug is very supportive of our teenage daughter and will give her a chance to play a song on his piano. This last visit we were there on a Sunday night and he even provided her an opportunity to sing a song with him from Les Miserable. For food options this time we tried a real variety of different items this last time we visited. One of my favorites from the night were the portabello mushroom fries. These large cut slices of portabello mushroom are breaded and then fried until the mushroom is fully cooked. There are six "fries" to a serving and they come with a side of a flavored mayo for dipping. They are meaty and flavorful. This is definately something that we will order again. I also enjoyed the fish and chips. The order consisted of three large pieces of cod that were battered and fried. Served with shoestring potatos as the chips, this was a very filling dish. My wife and I split one of these and we had half a piece of fish left when we were both full. This is just a fun place that lies just of the beaten path from all the other nightlife locations. If you enjoy piano music then be sure to visit Vanessi of Santa Fe. read more

This restaurant has a great wine selection and live music. I would come here only for drinks and the atmosphere. I didn't enjoy the food, I ordered a salad with steak and it wasn't a meal I could finish. I'm not sure if the cook was having an off day or if it was just me personally. The prices are a little high for the under whelming quality of food. read more

Average food and poor service. Only reason I gave it 3 stars is the piano player is amazing!

The Vanessie has a few things going for it, and with a little work it could be a great place to go in Sante Fe. The atmosphere was nice and romantic. The service was great, and the waiting staff was very friendly. We weren't seated at the bar, but the piano bar seemed like it was a blast from what I could hear in the dinning room. Definitely a talented group of musicians performing there. The problems mostly came down to the food. On a high note I felt that the queso with the chips and salsa was amazing. I would definitely get that again. For our main courses however we were a bit disappointed. My wife order a steak oscar style which is a Filet Minon Crab meat and a hollandaise sauce, served with Asparagus traditionally. Unfortunately The Venessie doesn't have the Hollandaise sauce, or asparagus. Open minded my wife went for the Filet Oscar anyway, only to come away with a Steak that didn't resemble a filet Minion. I swear it was a rib eye. Also it wasn't cooked to her preferred temperature, it was more of a medium/medium well where she ordered well done. On top of all that they forgot to include the crab. Luckily they took the crab off the bill cause my wife decided she didn't want it after they messed up the steak, but still. I had the Elk Medallions with green beans and sweet potato fries. The Elk was pretty good, although it was a bit rarer than the medium i ordered. I think it was closer to mid rare. The green beans were great, which is surprising because I usually do not like green beans, and the sweet potato fries were average. Overall I had an OK dinner at the Vanessie of Sante Fe. If it wasn't for the many mistakes on my wifes meal they would have maybe earned a 3 star review from me, but at the end of the day the atmosphere, and the service make it feel like a fine dining restaurant, however the food isn't worth the price. Maybe they had a bad service that night, or maybe not. I just know for the price, next time I'll be going elsewhere. read more

We have eaten in the dining room and that experience was pretty good. A little stuffy (the waiter had a tad too much 'tude'). Our move into the piano bar afterwards sold us on the place. Doug Montgomery is wonderful. Yes, the crowd of regulars is older and loyal. It is not surprising on a Friday or Saturday evening to see the entire place filled. The wait staff are friendly and efficient. The bartenders are also lots of fun. Montgomery at the piano makes it perfect. read more

Unbelievable! Made reservation, confirmed by Yelp for 5:30 on Christmas night. Arrived on time and was told restaurant was closed. Desk clerk said it was Yelp problem, but I don't care. Point is my lady and I were turned away with a confirmed reservation. Will not go back here and not sure if Yelp will be used again. Pretty disgusting. No read more

We ate in the dining room. We came early because we had Opera tickets. There were only a few tables when we sat down, but our server took a long time even bringing our menus. We had been sitting for an hour before receiving our entrées. This was the Worst service: we never saw our waiter, the things we asked for were never delivered to our table, waters were not refilled and plates were not cleared. We had to rush through our entrees in order to get to the opera on time. The food was nothing impressive, especially for the prices. I had a special tuna salad but there was nothing special about it.The salad was over dressed and lettuce wilted. For my main entree, I had the short ribs with wasabi mashed potatoes. The short ribs were bland and the mashed potatoes were overpowering. We didn't have time for dessert. read more

We ate at the piano lounge on a Sunday night and thoroughly enjoyed our meals - shrimp pasta and salmon with polenta. Doug Montgomery reigned supreme at the piano and several friends came up to sing on occasion. I would rate the food at four stars The reason for my three star rating is for two reasons: 1) all wine was sold by the bottle only and all choices were $29 - no by-the-glass prices, and 2) the management did not provide adequate wait staff to serve all the people present. The waiter was very good, but just overworked - a fact I brought to the attention of management. read more

We stopped in for music and wine. Great venue and entertainment. While it is in a upscale hotel, most of the folks we met at the bar we're locals. They do it right. read more

Came here on a Saturday night with my boyfriend and it was interesting. The staff was friendly but our waiter was a little off. He was slow to come around and when he did he was rushed to check in and wasn't very personable. The pianist was fantastic and he got the crowd going with fun different eras of songs but it was a bit of an older crowd. I'm not surprised about this since it's Santa Fe but it was a little toooooo much older. A mixed crowd would have been more fun read more

The food was very good. I had the shrimp chopped salad bowl which was excellent and everyone else with me said their food was delicious. The dessert was the best I've ever had it was the flourless chocolate cake. But the piano bar was but we enjoyed the most. We will definitely be back. Ester Hana was delightful and we enjoyed singing along. read more

This is an update to a previous review. This review is for a weekday, whereas the previous review is for the weekend. Weekdays, the menu only offers entrees, appetizers and desserts separately. Whereas on Weekends, the entrees are offered with the appetizer and dessert as a specialty, for the same price as an entree alone on the weekdays. Came here on a weekday and although the food was still good, the large portions, though still moderate, were lost while the price was still hefty. Order: 1) Half rack of lamb ($19): very small portion of 4-lamb ribs with no sides 2) Ahi Tuna salad ($22): fair amount, but very light serving 3) Salmon with mashed potatoes and vegetables ($25): fair amount, salmon is very good and was probably the best entree that night Recommend this place mainly as a weekend dinner spot since the price and portion value is best then. read more

After our anniversary dinner we headed to one of the finest piano bars in the country. Luckily it was a night when Doug Montgomery was playing. He is one of the most talented singer pianists you will find outside of New York and LA. This is a great spot to entertain guests have a few drinks and even have dinner. The onion loaf and the Lamb Chops rock. Head on in when you have a chance and sing a song or two you will have a ball. read more

Try it you will LOVE it. Seated promptly. Great service by Lee and his assistants. We ordered the Elk along with the Rib Special. The elk was excellent. Very tender and seasoned properly. A must try dish. Don't worry it isn't gamey tasting. I had the ribs. They were cooked properly, very flavorful and tender. My wife had the chocolate pecan pie. She said it was really good but way too rich-Not possible:) They have a piano bar for entertainment prior to or after dinner. This night there were belly dancers, we lost all our male wait staff for a few minutes. But I didn't mind I was gone too. The prices were reasonable and the wine selection was adequate. You need to try this place when you are in Santa Fe read more

We had the absolute best time celebrating our anniversary here! Doug went out of his way to welcome us as soon as we sat down and engaged with everyone during his set. The food was also unbelievable. We got the calamari to start and my husband got the spaghetti and meatballs and I got the spinach fettuccine with chicken. Everything was so flavorful and paired nicely with the Malbec we ordered. We're only in Sante Fe for a few days and this was by far our favorite place! We'll definitely come back. read more

I recently had dinner with friends at Vanessie. This was my first experience in your restaurant. From the atmosphere and the menu I expected an enjoyable dining experience. My dining partners ordered the lemon chicken which sounded great. I was surprised when their entrees came out. They looked like dry, flattened pieces of breaded chicken on top of mashed potatoes. They seemed to enjoy their meals, but perhaps they were being generous. I ordered the truffled hamburger. What a disaster! The brioche bun was dry--probably from the prior week's bread delivery. I asked for my burger medium rare, expecting a slightly pink, warm center. Instead I got a dry over-cooked hockey puck. The fries that came with my meal must have been cooked an hour before we arrived. They were room temperature and soggy. I've had lots of great burgers in Santa Fe--most of them for half the price of the one I was served at your restaurant. I'm typically not a complainer when I have a meal out. But if it's a bad experience, I vote with my feet and walk out, never to return. On a more positive note, your wait staff were attentive and pleasant and the piano music was enjoyable. Probably the only reason I squeaked out two stars on this review. read more

My wife, son and I have always heard good things about Vanessa and decided to give it a try while in Santa Fe. I must say the service and food was excellent. Elizabeth waited on us and was an attentive waitress. We were seated at a large table and I asked her if we could be seated at a smaller table and she didn't hesitate to accommodate us. We were there on a Monday and the restaurant was quiet except for Doug Montgomery on the piano in the bar which attracted an older crowd but the noise is filtered in the restaurant to where you can enjoy a good conservation. My wife and I had seafood dishes and our son had a filet. Everything was delicious and worth the price. read more

We went during a band night and it was super crowded of old ladies looking for attention. They hog the dance floor and have no sense of space while they try to get attention from everyone around. If you want to go to hear a band, watch your eyes and ribs for elbows on the dance floor. Menu looks intriguing but didn't have a chance to try. It looks like a big restaurant, but the area near the bar is quite intimate and small. read more

Casual upscale and very busy. A landmark over 31 years features live music every night. Menu is limited with a renowned chef. I had the onion crusted sea bass that was exquisite. It sat on a bed of lemon risotto...yum! Nabbed a two top table on the patio in front of the fireplace and had great service. Highly recommended read more

Beautiful hotel...I didn't want to leave! We literally extended our stay a night. What a romantic and cozy place to call home. I wish I could take this place home with me. I will be back! read more

We went for dinner and Doug Montgomery's piano/singing performance, under a tent in the parking lot. Doug is a highly capable pianist and singer with a very engaging personality. As the parent of two professional performers I know how hard it is to make a living in those fields, and even though his repertoire was not my favorite material I really enjoyed his performance. Four stars for him. But the service was truly terrible. We got there at 6:55 for a 7:00 reservation and weren't seated until 7:15. They took our first drink order around 7:25 and weren't served until 7:45. No one came to take our food order until past 8:00 and the food didn't arrive til 8:40. Our second rounds of drinks didn't get there until just before 9:00, when the show was supposed to end. Fortunately he played a little overtime so we weren't left sitting in a deserted tent for the tail end of our drinks. Two stars for the food, ZERO for the service. I'm sure the staff were working hard, but not on our table. read more

A hidden gem in Santa Fe. Wonderful piano bar with a tremendous musician, Doug Montgomery.‼we have visited three times and each time has been different. Patrons and wait staff accompany Doug with songs, adding a delightful touch to his beautiful piano playing. We make a trip during our stay in Santa Fe, well worth a visit. read more

I had a wonderful time listening to Doug play the piano. He graciously accepts requests and can play almost any arrangement. Many of the restaurants were taking reservations only, but I easily found a table at the Vanessie. This restaurant is a must when visiting Santa Fe! read more

Vanessie - Bars Near Me - Santa Fe, New Mexico

I stayed at the hotel one night and it was a delight. Kind of cave like and I got some great sleep. The beds are super comfortable and the bathroom was luxurious. I did hope for a fire but was not able to light one in the room. They did provide candles for the fire place to give a nice warm glow. read more

I go almost every Sunday night. It is wonderful. The food is wonderful. The service is excellent! The piano bar is always full, so get there a little early to be able to get a seat! Doug Montgomery is beyond words. My mother was a concert pianist and Doug Montgomery is a must see! He has a wonderful personality and a love for his gift and it shows. He is the best piano player ever! You never know who you might see Charlie Baca comes in on Sunday nights, He has been a professional singer for years and has done movies and Little Theater. Charlie Baca reminds me of Frank Sinatra. He might sing a couple of songs if you're lucky. Clayton West has come in a few times and wow is he good! His voice is amazing. Elizabeth Young has come in a few times and she is another person that is beyond words! She plays the violin and WOW, can she play! When you see Elizabeth and Doug together I am sure I will see you next Sunday! You will not be disappointed I have come for almost a year and I look forward to my Sunday night! This is special place it is magical! Every Sunday night Doug Montgomery makes my Sunday night the very best. His fingers fly across those keys and I love to watch him and hear that beautiful music. Doug has a wonderful voice too! He is a true entertainer! I will say this is something to experience! Everyone I bring seems to love it! read more

Vanessie - Doug Montgomery is fantastic! - Bars Near Me - Santa Fe, New Mexico

As a group of six people, we were shown to our table at Vanessie or ordered our food. One minute after our food arrived, an old man parked his walker by our table, started shouting that we were at his table and should leave. As we ignored him, he proceeded to kick the legs of the table and chairs. I assumed the staff would take care of it, but they ignored him. When I asked for the manager's assistance, we were told that we had been seated at that man's preferred table, and, since he was a regular client, that they would be glad to bring us our check and to go boxes! read more

This restaurant and piano bar is one of the greatest places in Santa Fe. We love going here to hear Doug Montgomery play the piano. He is absolutely amazing. One of the best musicians that you will ever hear. read more

Vanessie - Bars Near Me - Santa Fe, New Mexico

My wife and I are in town for the week and we are completely sold on eating at Vanessie every single night. Juan the bartender is incredible. His drinks are the best not to mention his engaging personality with making our experience the best. Now add the entertainment and you've got a win, win situation. Both Juan and the entertainment a definite asset to Vanessie. We will share our experience with everyone we know who visits Santa Fe. read more

Judging just off of the food it was a let down. It is very expensive but not worth the price. It is definitely one of those places with tiny portions that will leave you hungry. The worst part is they wouldn't split our $600 bill. If your customer spends that much you should do a little service for them. read more

This one is hard to pass up if you're in town. Little has changed in thirty years due to the Santa Fe Historical Review and a large collection of unsold shirts. There's soup on the menu and there are candles on every table, which is rare these days.There is also bread and butter on request. I tried to order a an Old Fashioned and was notified that the bar does not stock fresh oranges and that was disappointing, because that's a thing. All in all, it is an unparalleled experience in in Santa Fe. Be sure to sample the ham in the bar area. read more

Come for the great music and stay for dinner. Pasta is fabulous but a wee on the expensive side. Fun to be entertained while eating. Go early as it fills up fast. read more

Doug Montgomery's show is AMAZING! Go see it! The bar makes an excellent margarita.