My friends made a reservation at this Michelin Star restaurant and it was a 5-star experience indeed! From the food to the drinks to the overall chic and comfortable ambiance, it was an absolute treat! The service was impeccable for our party of 8. We had various tequila drinks and the chips, salsa, hot sauces (some quite hot!) made for an exceptional start. I ordered the salmon, which was sitting on a bed of cauliflower mashed potatoes and draped with an arugula salad, topped with a mache chili oil drizzle. The taste was as perfect as the presentation! The best salmon I've ever had, indeed. One of the guest had birria tacos served with a split bone marrow! Never saw that combination before! He let me try some and it was delicious! Overall, a perfect setting, a perfect meal and a truly 5-star evening!! read more

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Tried Alejandro's because it's part of the Resy dining network, and we wanted to use our quarterly Amex Platinum dining credit. If you're an Amex Platinum cardholder looking to burn Resy credits in Monterey, this Mexican restaurant is worth a try -- but manage your expectations. We had a reservation and were seated right away, which was a plus. Started with chips and guac and a couple of drinks, then ordered the chicken enchiladas and the skirt steak and arugula salad, adding shrimp to the salad. The food was fine, the atmosphere was fine, the service was fine -- nothing memorable, nothing bad. The real issue is price. Adding shrimp to a salad cost about $15, and our total with tip came out to around $140 for two people. For that price point in Monterey, I expected more from the food and overall experience. Would I come back? Probably not at full price. But if you have the Amex Platinum and quarterly Resy dining credits to use, it softens the blow enough to make it worth trying once. read more

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We decided to give this place a try, and I'm so glad we did. The restaurant has a great atmosphere. Very modern, comfortable, and perfect for a nice dinner. What really stood out was the service. Everyone was welcoming, our server was attentive without hovering, and the staff made us feel genuinely taken care of throughout the meal. Everything we ordered was delicious!! The ahi tuna ceviche was fresh and flavorful, the grilled octopus was tender with just the right amount of char, and the birria tacos were packed with juicy, cooked beef. The duck taquitos were crispy and unique, the grilled salmon was perfectly cooked, and even the chicken tacos on handmade tortillas were simple but so satisfying. We also ordered the steak, which came out cooked exactly as requested and was seasoned perfectly. To finish, we shared the tres leches cake, and it was the perfect ending. It was light, moist, and not overly sweet, with fresh raspberries that added a nice touch. Between the excellent food, friendly service, and inviting atmosphere, this was an easy five star experience. We'll definitely be back to try more of the menu, and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a great meal!! read more

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Visited Monterey for the first time in a long time and made a reservation for Alejandro's & was not disappointed. The mole was prob the best I've ever tried and the branzino was fresh and cooked to perfection on the banana leaf. I don't come to this side of town often but the next time I do, I'll make another reservation read more

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What a surprise to find a Mexican restaurant in downtown Monterey that reminds me of fine dining in Mexico City. The service was spot on. There when you need them and discreetly in the background otherwise. Loved the queso fundido and house made tortillas. The pork chop was infused with spices and perfectly cooked. I enjoyed the house margarita but would like to explore the Baja wines next visit. Looking forward to a return visit to explore the menu and the wine list. read more

Just as I remembered, I really do enjoy Alejandro's. It's an upscale Mexican restaurant that makes you feel like you are on vacation in Cabo. I love the vibes inside of this place. They are a reservation only restaurant that was able to accommodate same day reservations for me and my hubby to have a date night. We ordered the chips and guac for $15 which is high for what it is, however, they give a decent size of guac with an array of salsas. For my entree I ordered the pescado tacos for $31, which again, high cost for 3 tacos but th taste was delicious, the presentation is beautiful and each bite left me wanting more. For my drink I went with the guava margarita for $13 which was refreshing but tasted light on the booze. read more

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Just stop looking, put your phone down & get in the car! Everything about this place is exactly what you want when you spend your hard earned money! Service is on point! Food is to die for! Our server loved his job & interacting with people, now days that's hard to find. Every staff member treated us with kindness. The quality of the food is beyond amazing. The drinks are perfect, the guava was my fave, if you're a grapefruit fan the Paloma is good too but I preferred the guava My man got the carne asada plate and the meat just melts in your mouth. I got the mole enchiladas OMG the flavors were just amazing and burst in your mouth Guacamole is on point and worth it!!! HANDS DOWN ONE OF THE BEST RESTAURANTS I HAVE BEEN TOO! The ambiance was just beautiful, clean and comfy. read more

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Absolutely loved our meal at Alejandro's. We kicked things off with the Spike Horchata and the Birria Old Fashion, and honestly... already winning. Fun, creative, and perfectly balanced. Could've happily stayed in cocktail mode all night. Food was next-level: Ceviche de pescado was so fresh and bright, with just the right kick. Mole trio was a standout--rich, comforting, and each mole had its own personality. Perfect for tasting and sharing. Taco trio with birria and bone marrow was unreal. Messy in the best way, deeply flavorful, and 100% worth ordering again. Great vibes, friendly service, and food that feels both thoughtful and fun. Alejandro's is the kind of place you leave already planning your next visit. If you're in Monterey, don't miss it. read more

Alejandro's - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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Was not busy when we arrived a bit before 5pm on a Friday, but definitely busy when we left! We really enjoyed our time here. Our server, Oscar, was awesome and really helpful. We really enjoyed all of the food that we ordered! Ordered the Tiradito, Coliflor, Poc Chuc, and Pescado Entero. All of the flavors on all of the dishes were EXCELLENT and so unique. The pork chop was tender, the branzino was not dry at all. The cauliflower "al pastor" was delicious, and the tiradito was so rich. We would eat all of those again in a heart beat! Would absolutely go here again and would recommend! The only negative was the host was a bit weird/felt rude about our time limit and being 7 minutes late for our reservation. read more

Came here for date night and loved it! The ambiance was so cute and instantly made it feel like we were on vacation. The staff was friendly from the start, and our food runner/busser was especially sweet. We started with the chips, salsa, and guac, plus the queso. The flight of salsas was such a fun touch, and the tortillas were really good too. For dinner, we had the steak and fries. The steak was good, just a little bit chewy, but the fries were 10/10. I also loved the aioli and chimichurri sauce. The Tommy's margarita was definitely a highlight and I'd totally recommend it. Also, if you have Amex, this place qualifies for the Resy credit, which is a nice little bonus! read more

Alejandro's - Ny steak - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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We came here to celebrate my mom's birthday and my first out of town trip after giving birth. We took our baby with us. I put on reservations because it was a Friday night expecting them to be busy to secure our table and did a 6:15 dinner to be early I also noted that we are celebrating my mom's birthday. Although the food is really good (I ordered tempiquenia, my mom got the pollo asado which I tried and Iiked and my husband got the birria tacos and marrow. The service is mediocre. They didn't acknowledge my mom's birthday or had anything even a scoop of icecream with a candle to give out for her, which was very disappointing and never asked if we wanted dessert after our meal. The appetizers were really good though and the chips are fresh. I'm not sure if we'll be back, the prices are a little bit on the expensive size but there are dishes that are to share so it might be worth the price. If you don't have reservations just get there early. read more

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I ordered the most expensive meal on the menu. If you knew me you would know this is on brand. It came with two different types of steak with Oaxaca cheese grilled unions and spicy chorizo. It is served in a molcajete It is accompanied by blue corn tortillas. It was fab! Spicy! Service was fabulous. The restaurant has seats that serve big folks in the front near the bar. Cocktails were delicious too. Dinner for two with drinks ran us about $140. read more

Alejandro's - Molcajete - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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Wow!!! Fantastic experience with a great club like atmosphere and great music for the younger generation, I loved the food and must say it deserves a Michelin star, try the Shredded Beef and Bone Marrow, (soft tacos) along with a cocktail of your choice. You will not be disappointed. This place should be a great Monterey top pick. NOT Cheap, but neither is any other restaurant. So, impress anyone on your list of friends and order the soft sponge coconut cake. Parking at the back. You might have to make a reservation. You can sit outside too. yeah. If you like Mexican authentic food, it's the place to go. read more

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3.5 stars Alejandro's is the darling of the internet and that is precisely how I found myself here. In fact, our dinner neighbors drove 2 hours from Modesto to dinner at Alejandro's. The interior is moody, vibey and fun. We started and ended with the following: -masa tempura ($13): masa tempura fried sweet corn, jalapeño, citrus aioli -pulpo al pastor ($27): grilled octopus, pineapple,toasted hominy -taquitos ($16): beef, potato, tomatillo salsa, crema, cotija cheese, cabbage slaw -ceviche de atún ($21): ahi tuna, mango, avocado, onions, cilantro, sesame oil, sesame seed -birria & bone marrow tacos ($32): tender shredded beef, served with bone marrow, onions, cilantro Everyone raves about the masa tempura. It was okay. The tempura is batter heavy and the masa flavor gets lost somewhere in the mix. I also found the tempura to be quite oily as well. I had high hopes for the birria bone marrow tacos which seem to be the star of the show. You get three taco and two marrow bones that are nestled in the consume. Honestly, it's a great flavor collab in theory, but the execution could use a little work. First of all the birria is served on top of blue corn tortillas. While I love blue corn tortillas, it doesn't work here because it falls victim to all the birria juices. The tortillas broke apart before the I could even top it with the marrow. And fishing the marrow out of the consume felt extra and unnecessary. Overall, the rest of the dishes were fine. Besides these heavy hitters, nothing from the menu really spoke to me. On the night that we dined, the cadence of the service was a little off. For being described as an up-scale restaurant, our server was very spotty and not very attentive. It didn't mar our dining experience, but it could have definitely been better. Monterey is the bees knees, but up-scale dining isn't the biz here. read more

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Definitely a high end gastropub type experience. The main dishes and drinks were really great, especially the duck, portion was a bit small. I'd say the appetizers were a little underwhelming, the dips were a bit watery for my taste. Very nice ambience and service. Make a reservation, especially on Friday/Saturday, they get super packed here and may fill up for the night if you don't reserve a table. read more

Alejandro's - Dona Teresa's Mole - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

The service, atmosphere, and the food made this place my favorite in Monterey hands down! You feel like you're in Miami with how gorgeous the aesthetic is. This menu is so well intentionally curated. You can easily see into the kitchen and see how clean it is. Our waiter went above and beyond to accommodate our party 15 minutes before they closed! They are so nice. AMAZING. I refuse to go to Monterey and not stop here. read more

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Been wanting to check this place out since folks have been writing about this place as if it's like being on vacation. The food and drink was indeed outstanding. The enchilada was wrapped in what tasted like a fresh tortilla and the chicken inside was juicy. The spiked horchata was super interesting. The seating inside also has great ambiance. The service was not bad, but not as good as place one would expect in a restaurant that serves $30 entrees. They gave us our utensils after they served the first dish. They didn't bring us a spoon to scoop out their delicious mole sauce for their mole enchiladas. They also didn't give any of the parties of two sitting along the bar (where we were sitting) share plates when we were starting on appetizers such as crudo or chips with guacamole. Everyone was super responsive and nice enough but it wasn't the white glove service that usually comes along with a fancy meal. I am comparing this place to Elena's in San Franciso, where we end of paying about $100 for two drinks and an entree, which is perhaps unjust. read more

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Not to be dramatic, but this was the best, upscale, Mexican food of my life! On a recent road trip to Monterey, we were told to walk down Alvarado Street- ie. Monterey's "food mecca." The recommendation did not disappoint, and we walked into Alejandro's as they were opening for dinner at 5pm. To start, my husband ordered the guava margarita, which was refreshing and lightly sweetened. I ordered the non-alcoholic Corona, which was the perfect compliment to our food. For an appetizer, the "pulpo al pastor" octopus was prepared to perfection - delicate, flavorful and generous portions. The toasted hominy and rich sauce both complimented the octopus. For our main courses, I ordered the Birria & Bone Marrow served on these incredible homemade, blue masa tortillas. The dining area overlooks the kitchen, where you can watch the chefs preparing the tortillas. The shredded beef was so tender, and the bone marrow added a rich flavor that was absolutely divine! My husband had the Barbacoa "Osso Buscco," a tender veal shank with bone marrow, cilantro, and onions, which was also served on hand-pressed corn tortillas. While both dishes were a masterclass in flavor and execution, the Birria & Bone Marrow tacos was my personal favorite. I would make a return road trip to Monterey just to experience Alejandro's again! A must-try! read more

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I usually come here just for a nightcap, specifically for their carajillo--and let me tell you, I haven't found one in the area that tastes as good as Alejandro's. It's a Mexican coffee with Licor 43, shaken to perfection every time. Even though I haven't dined in for food, I've been stopping by for a couple of years just to end the night with a carajillo. The ambiance is also a big part of why I love it--super cute inside, with dim lighting, candlelight, and charming décor that makes it feel cozy and inviting. I think it would be a very cute date night spot read more

Alejandro's - Carajillo - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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I enjoy bougie Mexican food and this was every bit of bougie. Really cute atmosphere and elevated aesthetic on the interior. Everything tasted fresh and came hot to the table. Service was wonderful too. I wasn't blown away by the taste of the dishes and the cost was up there. Plates are appealing to the eye but lacked flavor overall. I would return and try other items to give them another chance. read more

I was able to get a last minute reservation here for a Saturday night dinner. I liked that the cenote booths are semi private. Our booth had a view into the kitchen & it was really fun to watch the food being made! Our favorites from the menu: - guava margarita - zanahorias - masa tempura - molcajete (these are limited, we got the last one - Sat 7:30pm reservation) read more

Stopped by on a Friday night and was lucky enough to grab a seat at the bar. The place was pretty busy so highly recommend making reservations. Has a modern and high end vibe and they truly deliver on that expectation. The service at the bar was fantastic. Honestly it was so difficult to choose just one thing off the menu as it all sounded incredible. Opted to start with the guacamole and chips (freshly made) and also came with four different types of salsas ranging in heat. All were very good and the hottest one sneaks up on you, however, its well balanced and especially with some cold guac to cool your palate down. For the main, the bartender recommended the Conchinita Pibil Tacos and they were AMAZING!!! First, they dont skimp on the pork and it has so much depth of flavor and some nice little acidic punch from the pickled onions to wake up your taste buds. Excellent tortillas as well! Highly recommend Alejandro's and hope to visit again before heading back home. read more

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It was fine. Mostly we picked this spot because it was one of a few places in Monterey on Resy. The ambiance was nice, very lively with bright lights and music. For dinner, I had the mole enchiladas which were good but lacked the depth of flavor I look for in a mole. Our server was helpful and pointed us to his favorite dishes on the menu. Again, it is not at all a bad experience but for the prices I would expect more. read more

Alejandro's - Bar - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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As of right now they get a strong 5 stars from me. My husband and I stopped by for some after dinner cocktails and upon entrance the restaurant was beautiful. The ambiance of the place was fantastic. I found myself swaying and bouncing to the music. It was perfect. We had about 3 different cocktails and every cocktail was perfect. The bartender was absolutely amazing. I have always said I wanted to go somewhere with a variety of tequila and mezcal drinks, I'm so happy I found it! I recommend. We will return and try the food one day as well. read more

Alejandro's - Espresso y Ron-tini with a portion of the drink menu - Mexican Near Me - Monterey, California

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Went to Alejandro's Mexican Restaurant with a couple friends on the evening of 4/8 and sat at the bar for drinks and a quick bite. The bar wasn't busy, so there was no excuse for the level of service we received. The bartender (male, wearing a leopard print shirt) was rude, dismissive, and not welcoming from the start. After ordering drinks, we asked about an appetizer. When I had a simple question, he looked at me like I was stupid, didn't respond, and just stared back at the menu. It was awkward, unprofessional, and completely unnecessary. It wasn't just us. Two other guys came in later and had the same experience with him. I overheard them complaining to each other about how rude he was. They had one drink and left shortly after. The frustrating part is the food was actually good. The molcajete was solid and easily enough for two to three people, I would order that again. Unfortunately, the service at the bar completely overshadowed everything else. Based on this experience, I would likely not return. read more

Alejandro's is a vibe. If you're looking for elevated Mexican food with a fun crowd, look no further. We were on the search for a restaurant with a decent outdoor area for the pup, and it seemed like their outdoor area was fairly cozy and warm. Service was friendly and they were able to accommodate our furry friend without any issue. Can we talk about the interior though? OMG it is gorgeous inside! It's very much moody, sophisticated chic and I love the little semi-hidden booths with a view of the kitchen. If I didn't have the dog with us, I definitely would have wanted to be seated there! I ordered the hongo (mushroom) tacos which came in a trio per order and they came with 4 different types of sauces ranging from sweet-mild to spicy. The spiciest one wasn't too bad, more of a kick than a mouth-burning spice. read more

Ate here for dinner after the Big Sur marathon. I was exhausted and needed something big to end the night. We had: Chips & guac (good) esquites (great) Mole trio Meal: Pollo asada (great) Tejate cheesecake (great, never had anything like it) read more

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I love their chips and salsa and they're underrated American Mexican cuisine, but unfortunately, tonight I showed up to the restaurant, walked in and was quickly escorted out due to a private event; no private event posted on their website or anything, indicating in a private event and nobody was allowed in unless you were invited to the private event. I've never been to a restaurant with a whole restaurant was closed down for one event. They should have a room dedicated to these private events. And also have them posted on their website for future, potential, clients. ! I love this place, but I'm super upset at the service they provided today with this event that was not allocated on their website. read more

We were walking down the street with our dog and just happened upon this restaurant right as they were opening. The menu looked amazing, so we popped our heads in and asked if we could take a seat on the front patio with our pup. The hostess was very friendly and brought us out some menus right away. Our waiter also came out quickly and took our order and got our drinks started. It was a warm day so he made sure to bring us waters and even though we were outside he kept them refilled throughout our entire meal. The food was absolutely delicious! I mean, the pictures speak for themselves. Not only do they care about the ingredients and flavors, but the presentation is gorgeous as well. I had the mole enchiladas with a mojito and my husband had the pollo asada. We both cleared our entire plate. There was a nice casual vibe out on the patio and it was great for people watching. We loved the food but honestly the service was probably our favorite part. We felt cared for by the staff; they took care of everything promptly and efficiently without any of the unnecessary small talk. We really had a very enjoyable evening here and will absolutely return. read more

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We came here to celebrate my husband's birthday because ironically him and my youngest son's name are Alejandro, it was a must try. The ambiance as soon as we walked in was amazing, I loved the layout of their restaurant, it felt elegant but still very cozy and casual. We reserved one of their cenote booths that my kids were so fantasized about, it reminded them of an igloo. Very cool! The food was delicious, the mexican corn on the cob was so delicious -- my son said it was the best thing he's ever had. My husband's favorite tequila was ironically the tequila they use in the "Alejandro's Paloma" so if you are able to, the drink is a must try. They don't have a kids menu but they do accommodate for them and can make chicken & cheese quesadillas or just a plain cheese quesadilla. They were happy with it all! Service was phenomenal! Zero complaints. Always checking in on us and making sure we were taken care of. We would very much return in the future! read more

The ambiance of Alejandro's was very nice. The service was okay, I did like that our waitress suggested items from the menu as it was our first time eating here. The food overall was hit and miss. The appetizers were phenomenal; we had the queso fundido and chips with guacamole. The birria tacos were fantastic and the consume was excellently seasoned and flavorful. I had the huarache, and it tasted okay. The steak was perfectly cooked medium rare, however it was a bit too salty. The cheesecake for dessert was really tasty, and the biscoff crust on the cheesecake was perfect. Overall, I think Alejandro's is a great place to have cocktails and tapas. The entrees were a miss for me. read more

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Upon entering, Alejandro's itself is a restaurant that in itself is dim, and moody. Melted candles of various sorts adds to the theme. A bar is located to the left from the front door, and the main restaurant follows in a shotgun hallway type that descends beyond the entrance. We were a party of six, spending the weekend in Carmel/Monterey area to celebrate a birthday. We had a reservation, that was made in advance; and we were seated in one of their booths that, at the onset appeared to be an intimate and cozy setting. Perfect way for our group to enjoy a meal, and celebrate our birthday femme fatale. The table was dressed appropriately, and the booth was a carved out deep dome of sorts. Cutesy if you will. All started out well for a birthday celebration. Or so we thought... Not long after we were seated and ordered our respective beverages, in came a group of a dozen or so, met by another six or so, all seated in a long table several feet from our carved out booth. Let me say... The acoustics in that booth need to be studied. We couldn't hear one another, but definitely could hear them. It was LOUD. Literally sounded like a group of 50. We heard all the drama, and all the laughs (especially those of the obnoxious cackle variety)... it very much sounded like they were having a great time of gossiping, at times berating (someone being a no-show at a wedding), and catching up. We couldn't help but hear Every. Little. Detail. We almost decided to join them given the intimacy involved. Sheesh. Sadly, we couldn't have a conversation within our party due to this abysmal seating arrangement. We basically wanted to hurry through dinner, have the birthday babe make a wish, and get out of there! The service was good, and reasonably attentive given the large party next door that was in the same section. The food was decent, but not memorable, and quite overpriced for what it was. The cocktails were nicely curated; some quite unique. Given this experience, coupled with the number of excellent restaurants located within the Monterey Peninsula, it is not a place that I will return to. We made the most of it, but it was not the celebration we had hoped for. read more

Trendy interior and felt like a high end luxury resort in Mexico. Would come back and try their drinks Food 4 out of 5 stars Tuna crudo: 5/5 this was my favorite dish, especially when you eat it by taking a tortilla chip, dipping it in a salsa, and putting a spoonful of crudo on top. Luxury poke nachos Esquites: 4/5. Small knock against the thick layer of cotija cheese on top. I actually love cheese but it seems like the ratio of corn to cheese was a little too high since there were times where I accidentally put a spoonful of straight cheese in my mouth Duck mole: 4/5 stars. A sleeper hit, my second favorite dish, and I did not expect the complex chocolate-y sauce to pair so well with duck and rice. There's a nice spice to the sauce as well. Bone marrow and Birria tacos. 3.5/5 stars I was disappointed in this. The meat was a bit tough and the blue tortillas were not my favorite. I know it's handmade but the tortilla was a bit crumbly, like it was difficult to fold in hand and when it did fold it started to crack. read more

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Great restaurant. We ordered queso fundido and the tuna ceviche. Queso was good and the tortillas were so good! Ceviche was delicious as well. Server was decent not amazing. We ordered several types of margaritas and all were delicious. Would definitely come back. read more

We went here for my wife's birthday. Food was excellent. Great ambience we had a reservation but it wasn't too crowded. The Churros was amazing. Best Churros I ever had. read more

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This place looks cute and adorable is like another outdoor inside, people happy with their food, I'm not really happy with mine Camarones/shrimp but the rice I like it, we got sweet chipotle. To bad we sat down near by dirty dishes counter, even though we have view open kitchen but still loud and we are with our Oldest. So talking bit hard to hear read more

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The ambiance was beautiful. Very elegant and the food tasted espectacular. The service was quick. I'm not sure about parking because I ubered there. There was a long strip of businesses near by for dessert. read more

Ambiance- Love the interior of this restaurant, very modern, almost tulum vibes, open kitchen, great date spot! Service- exceptional, our server was super attentive, went over the entire menu with us and even helped us to narrow down our options Food- you must get the camarones al mojo de ajo, the shrimp was cooked to perfection. The cherry tomatoes paired with the dish really well and the white rice definitely tasted brothy You must get the churros! Best I've ever had - it came out fluffy, warm, and slightly crisp. Perfect way to end the night read more

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juanito. omg. never ever get rid of this man ever. he makes the BEST COCKTAILS EVER. so amazingly creative with all of his drinks. if i could give him a 100 stars i would. read more

Great service in the front booth bar area. Super cute inside and cozy. Was seated promptly and very fast service. Molcajete was sold out but the waiter and chef made it happen anyway. 10/10 food was fire. Will be back read more

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