FIRST time in Tucson... met a fellow conference goer who highly suggested this restaurant. It did not disappoint! Staff ,food and drinks were all excellent! Servers are all are very knowledgeable. Vibe is open kitchen almost mild industrial(?) Anyways. They have an extensive wine list and full bar. So one of the cocktails didn't taste quite right. Not bad.. just an unexpected taste and ultimately the bartender came to our table with the correct drink as he actually admitted he made a similar but different cocktail. That was very kind to him. And was another aspect of terrific service. All the food was delicious and that poached halibut with squash... was probably the best piece of hallibut?I've ever had.. seriously! Honestly, I don't think there's anything bad on the menu. If we are back in town, we will definitely be back to this place! read more

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I want to start off by saying how much i love the concept of locally sourced meats and vegetables in the Sonoran desert. The space is cute, with a converted warehouse/industrial vibe (in a good way!) and I really appreciate the gender neutral bathroom situation. Went for a friend's birthday dinner on a Saturday night. Service was great throughout (wish I could remember the name of the woman who helped us) and I was really pleased with the Nebbiolo wine I tried. We had several diners with special food needs (myself included) and they have menus for all our needs- vegan, dairy free, and gluten free. I started with the beef tartare. Being gluten free, I could only stare longingly at the bread that came with it for regular diners, while I received a plate of limp lettuce. Romaine or endive would have really improved the experience. The tartare itself was of quality beef and showed excellent knife work but the flavor itself fell flat. More salt and some acid would have really brightened it. I then had the halibut. The beets served underneath were the star, as the fish and sauce were really heavy and rich. Once I ran out of beets and sweet potato bites, I gave up on the rest of the entree- the same components but in different proportions could have made it a real winner. Finally, I had the lemon gelato the meringue. That was absolute perfection. No notes, and the only dish I scraped clean. The overall experience was nice, but if I go back, I can't help but hope the savory dishes improve to meet the dessert quality read more

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Great ambience, although a bit cold, we did have to move tables. Staff was friendly, however service was quite slow. Perhaps they were down a server. We ordered the "let us choose for you" and our dinner took nearly 2 hours. Wasn't a big deal as we were celebrating my sisters bday. Door overall I'd say was a 7.5/10. Creativity was fairly high, however, some lacked salt, and also was hoping for some steak/red meat. Chuckwalla drink was refreshing and good, the carrot cake desert was very sweet, but tasty. The tuna on toast was very good although way too much bread. I'm picky! And consider myself a foodie. My sister was more impressed than myself. I'd go back once more to try a few more things off the menu to make my final judgment on the place. read more

BATA - The bread (I can't recall the name), quite tasty! - New American Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

I like Bata. This is a "couple times a year" restaurant. Each dish is very thought out by the Chef and crew. Service was great. Like other reviews its a 4, not a 5. I think they could pull back a bit on the dishes. It felt a little over-engineered. I do recommend, just not a regular stop for me. read more

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I've had a number of meals here over the years. For some reason, Bata hasn't quite hit the 5 star mark for me. The food is fun and interesting. If you order like they suggest you'll have a big range of flavors! I think it depends on how hungry you are. We always go with an appetite and the bill reflect it. The win list fine. Personally I lean into old world more. Our last meal, I'd have to say the carnitas was the most remarkable dish. Most things have been good but it Michelin level good. Bata is good for groups. The service is attentive, knowledgeable, and welcoming. read more

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We contacted BATA ahead of time to let them know that some members of our party were dairy-free, vegetarian, or gluten-free, and they went above and beyond. They prepared specialized menus with plenty of thoughtful options for everyone. Once seated, our server greeted us promptly and walked us through the menu, including BATA's philosophy on minimizing waste. As someone who is gluten-free, I started with the mushroom skewers that were well seasoned and absolutely delicious. My next course was the halibut, which was moist, flavorful, and served in a sublime sauce with vegetables. Yum. I finished with the Basque cheesecake with berry compote, a light and tasty ending to a great meal. Our server checked in regularly without being overbearing and kept our beverages full. We loved the vibe of the place and will definitely be back for special occasions. read more

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My boyfriend and I ate at Bata for a birthday meal, and the lighting and tabling was very romantic. The service was amazing and our waiter walked us through their wine menu and how to order. We started off strong with the malawach and labneh, it was my first time trying both and I was obsessed. It was probably the best thing we ate there. We followed this with the crudos which were delicious. Then we ordered the E&R carnitas, squash dish, and potato bread which is where things started to go down hill for us. The potato bread I was so excited for was just okay, it didn't compare at all to the malawach. Neither of us were a fan of the sauce on the carnitas, and we weren't impressed at all by the squash dish. The squash came in two plates with two preparations. The noodle preparation was just okay and the other plate made us feel like we were just eating straight up squash that wasn't even tender? We ended our meal with the shiitake ice cream sundae which I thought was pretty good, although my boyfriend didn't. I had originally wanted to come back to try the "we pick for you" course, but I've now been turned away. However, I would probably come back for a crudo and drink, or to head back to barbata downstairs where I ordered a nice Last Word. read more

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Had the four course tasting menu. The first two came out very strong, grilled cabbage was a stand out. But the main course (a pork dish) turned out extremely salty. I eat pretty salty in general but it was Unpalatable... the dessert course was a squash sorbet what was overly sweet with mushy texture. What a pity. The restaurant has lots of potential and I hope they will keep improving. read more

BATA - The first two courses started strong, but main course was extremely salty, dessert was a let down. - New American Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

If you and a loved (or liked) -one are looking for a unique dining experience, the Thursday Night Summer Super Club at BATA is pretty close to a perfect splurge. My wife and I dined there last night and we really-really enjoyed the experience. I don't think I could properly pronounce many of the names given to the dishes served up last night (*the same could be said for many of the ingredients that went into the dishes), but they sure did taste good. I am a bit of a curious soul, so spent a little bit of the evening sneaking peaks under the table as I googled the dishes and their ingredients. Very interesting (*said with German accent--a la Arte Johnson from Laugh In.) The fair served last night was indeed, pretty amazing. First up, was a thick slice of a slightly toasted bread that was married to an assortment of flavorful toppings. Our waiter was great. (*I'm not bougie, but the staff here is superb and know their stuff in realm of service!). Our server described each dish as it was presented before us... But, as often happens to me when I am in such situations, I was dazzled and found myself a bit unfocused. So the eloquent words of how each dish was prepared and what we would soon discover as our forks did their work floated over me, as I instead, eyed the dishes set before me. All were great and this toast that opened up the evening was truly wonderful. I enjoyed it immensely. I seem to recall an assortment of flavors that leaned on the umami side of the flavor spectrum. The toppings included sautéed mushrooms and a tapenade-like blend of olives. They all rested on a thin bed of creme friache. Yum. Each of 3 dishes that followed were equally amazing... (tonight's offerings included a fantastic salad, a fish dish that dazzled, and a desert to die for). Each plate provided "evidence by the mouthful" that the chefs involved in their creation are not only highly-skilled in the techniques of food creation, but that they also have a deep love (and a bit of a genius ) for designing offerings that are out-of-this-world delicious. How fun was it for me to imagine the steps that were involved in the creation of each dish. I myself enjoy experimenting with tastes and textures, and food combinations at home, but my cooking is "t-ball level" compared to the chefs who walk the Hallowed halls of BATA, who have ascended to the "major leagues" of cooking. Each of the offerings for the night was layered with unique and complimentary flavors,. They burst with wonderful mouth textures, and all were visually appealing. The great depths that can be found in the dishes prepared here can only be the end-result of years devoted to meticulous culinary artistry. I'm definitely not a fancy, high-priced, New York City Lawyer. I think people would say I am more of a, "salt of the Earth guy, who is more comfortable in flip-flops and a pair of jeans, than tie and dress slacks, but upon occasion, it's fun to spiff up a bit for a special night. BATA is a place for such occasions. My hunch is that those who are behind the scenes at BATA believe that the dishes created here are meant to be remembered and cherished for their specialness. Tucson is a city of gastronomic gems and BATA certainly fits in perfectly as part of the restaurant jewels that can be found here. If you are in the mood to, "go a little extravagant" and have a few memories regrading dining, this is the place. read more

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Our family's favorite fine dining restaurant in Tucson. The food is inventive, delicious, and always impresses. Even my college-aged kids love it. That said, if you're dining with big eaters, be prepared for small portions. We ordered generously, from appetizers to mains, but everything came out on the petite side. It felt a little like one of those fine dining scenes in a comedy where you leave hungry. Still, I can't fault the food or service as both were outstanding. The setting is gorgeous, the staff is warm and attentive, and the bar downstairs, Barbata, serves some of the best cocktails in town. Highly recommend, but may not bring hungry U of A students next time. read more

Really delicious food. We've been twice now, once to eat from the regular menu, and once as part of the agave heritage festival (we prefer the regular menu, though). The food is creative and well thought out, generally balanced in terms of flavor and texture. The portions are very small, though, so you may need to order more than you would think. The ambiance is nice - moody and dark. However, it can feel loud at times. And cold! I'd recommend bringing a jacket. Service is good, very informative and has a good pace. While you have one main server, food may be brought out by several people which can be helpful for the flow of the meal. Nice spot for a special occasion. read more

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We had an awesome meal here! We did the $65 choose for you option and it was great. I'm not a huge fan of squash and there was quite a bit of squash served this evening, but it was delicious. Service was excellent. I was a bit surprised that they added gratuity on a party of five but I'm a decent tipper so this is not an issue for me. The restaurant itself is beautiful. They have an industrial vibe, but so many really nice elements. Highly recommend! read more

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We came here for dinner Saturday night, and once again, I was underwhelmed by the food. The potato bread had too much char, giving it a burnt taste. The albacore crudo was very bitter--not just from the sauce but the fish itself. The beef tartare was decent. The desert pearl mushrooms and pearl dish was just okay. The cod had a strong fishy taste. They made a special dessert for us, which I believe was blackened ice cream with whipped cream (without vanilla), and it was amazing. Drinks: The Bigelow Martini was just okay. The Placeholder was good but too sweet. The Busterville Mine was awful. The Mandarinquat Daiquiri started too sweet then had a bitter aftertaste. I was still hungry after the 5 items+ dessert. I would say order more than that for 2 people. Service was excellent. read more

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Superb and local! Everything is carefully curated and sourced from within 200 miles (except the fish). They even use their scraps to make their own sauces and fermentations on-site. Quiet and classy ambiance, delicious food, and very kind service. An exceptional spot for a date or special occasion! read more

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Bata was, at best, slightly above average food at fine-dining prices, with an experience that never matched the cost. I am not a foodie looking for culinary theater. I am a hard-working guy looking for a memorable, polished fine dining experience, and Bata did not deliver. The location is just okay. It is near downtown Tucson, but across from the county courthouse in an area that feels a little rough around the edges. Not terrible, but not special. We arrived about five minutes before opening and found staff lingering inside while guests waited outside in the heat. A small thing, but not a great first impression. Service was friendly, but not especially polished. Since there were only two parties arriving at opening, I expected a more prepared and gracious welcome. Instead, it felt generic. Our server was kind and attentive, but soft-spoken enough that I had to ask her to repeat herself several times. She answered questions when prompted, but there was little effort to explain the meal, the theme, or the wine pairings in a way that made the experience feel curated. Cleanliness and presentation were also disappointing. The flatware and water glasses had visible water spots, and one fork arrived with food still stuck to it. That should never happen at this price point. The plates were also visibly spotted. Tucson has hard water, but a quick wipe-down would go a long way. We ordered the chef's choice with wine pairing: four curated courses. The first course, a carrot salad and collard greens with bacon on toast, started with some promise but quickly felt awkward. The Prosecco pairing worked well, but the toast was burnt, the greens were difficult to eat neatly, and the dressing sitting at the bottom of the bowl made the salad messy. My wife also found parts of the greens unpleasantly tough. The second course, malawach with labneh, cured egg yolk, and marmalade, was not bad, but it felt disconnected from the first. Salty, sweet, and acidic can work, but the overall direction of the meal was becoming confusing. At that point, the dinner felt more like a series of unrelated ideas than a thoughtfully composed progression. The third course was the biggest disappointment. I expected something more substantial, especially given the price, but instead we were served trout with strong sauces and heavy herbs, alongside bok choy in beef broth. The fish was overwhelmed by the sauces, and to make matters worse, it contained bones with no warning from the staff to expect them. That is a basic courtesy, especially in a higher-end setting. The bok choy was also unpleasantly sweet, salty, and bitter all at once. It was easily the low point of the meal. Dessert did not recover the experience. The strawberry sorbet with meringue and lemon was too sharp and intense for my taste, especially after such a confused main course. A richer or more balanced dessert option would have ended the meal on a better note. Overall, Bata felt like an elevated restaurant trying to charge fine-dining prices without offering fine-dining execution. The food was disjointed, the service lacked refinement, and the details that matter at this level were not there. The next day, I spent about a third as much on steaks, salad, vegetables, and potatoes elsewhere and had a far more satisfying meal. Bata may appeal to diners looking for a trendy, vegetable-forward, experimental menu. But for anyone seeking a polished, memorable fine dining experience that feels worth the money, I would look elsewhere. read more

Great ambiance. Great service. Surprised to find such a great farm to table experience in Tucson. Food was wonderful. Sine suggestion by DJ was perfect. Highly recommend the experience. read more

I took my mom here for her birthday and to make it extra special we did the Chef's Table. I cannot put into words how amazing this was. We had 10 courses of some of the best food we have had, and the Chef was so nice and helpful. They accommodated my mom's request to not have tomatoes or beef, and it is definitely worth it. read more

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Tapas on Toole. Beautiful setup they have. The basement bar is especially attractive and welcoming. Bartender loves his job and has an inventive menu. I had a Sazerac. It was excellent. I'd come back just for the bar. Upstairs is large with an open kitchen. You can smell the mesquite. Inherently servers tell you how much to order in a tapas restaurant, and they are usually wrong. Nothing is shareable the way they say. So....we kind of left hungry. Our three top had 8 orders. All were delicious. Our bill was north of $200. I'll be back for the bar...and the tapas. read more

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**Bata - A Unique Culinary Adventure in Tucson** Dining at **Bata** is a bit like stepping into a foodie's dream--where the kitchen is part theatre, the flavors are unexpected (but delightful), and the experience is something you'll want to talk about long after the last bite. My wife and I went all in with the **Chef's Choice** ($65 per person), letting the pros take the reins. The journey started with **Malawach**--a crispy, flaky delight paired with lamb, whey jam, and cured egg yolk--followed by **grilled rye bread** and a surprise off-menu treat: **pickled daikon radish with a miso glaze** (a wild card that worked). The main event? **Grilled Oregon trout** with a lemon herb sauce that was light, bright, and perfectly executed. Dessert was the playful **Lion Mane **--a decadent ice cream dish layered with coffee foam, chocolate crumbs, and rich fudge. If the goal was to impress ahead of Mother's Day, mission accomplished. While the full dining experience was unique, next time we visit, it'll likely be for **drinks and small bites**--because the bar and ambiance are equally worth the trip. If you're looking for an unconventional dining adventure or just a laid-back night with top-notch cocktails, **Bata is a must-try**. Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Would I let the chef make all my decisions every time? Maybe not--but hey, that's part of the fun. read more

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The atmosphere of the restaurant is beautiful. However, the food was not so great, and I think they need to diversify their menu a bit more. read more

BATA - New American Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Great food and attentive service staff. The ambiance was nice and open. We were first offered a corner seat in the dark away from everyone which was a bit off putting, but then they moved us to the lighted room upon request. Between the two of us, we ordered Malawach appetizer (delicious), 4 main dishes, and a dessert. Everything was priced well. First was the desert pearl mushrooms which is a must try and our favorite. Then we had the Honeynut Squash which was delicious with the furikake and koji custard. For the main protein dishes, we got vol-au-vent Cod and E&R Carnitas. The cod smelled very intense (fishy), which is probably intentional, but it was almost too intense to enjoy eating. The carnitas were great and seasoned well. For dessert, we ordered the sorbet and it was very good, a must try! The dishes are pretty small, so I would say to order at least what we did or more. read more

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Scouring the Sunset magazine, I noted an interesting write up on an unique restaurant in Tucson. Bata has been in business for 3 years. They are quietly making an amazing name and stellar reputation on the Tucson food scene. The decor is modern, simplistic and clean lines. We were in Tucson for a meeting in downtown and walked to Bata for dinner. Reservations are requested but one may sit at the bar if space is available. The ambiance is relaxing and the lighting is subdued. Once the menu was delivered, we realized that the choices would not be easy. The menu has 4 different sections: appetizers, breads, entrees / small dishes and desserts. A chef's menu is also available for the adventourous foodie at $65. After much consternation, we selected the beef / pork bites with citrus miso, beet and chimichurri. The bites were moist, tasty and delicious when dipped in the sauce. Our taste buds were alerted that tonight was going to be special. The makawach bread was our second course with labne, whey jam, and cured egg yolk. A large piece of freshly baked makawach was torn and dipped into a delightful flavored labne with an outstanding and unique flavored whey jam. This was unbelievable. The beef tartar was served with butternut squash, giardiniera a cured egg yolk and 2 sourdough crisps. The flavor bombs of this dish was perfect, tasty and unctious. The carnitas with sweet potato and pablano miso, and pickles were sweet, slight smoked flavor and savory. Our final dish was a show-stopper, the charred squash wedges served on a bed of spicy red curry and a sonoran som tam salad were memorable. The som tam salad had sliced green beans, jalapano slivers and carrots that were crispy and a fitting end to a delightful evening. A perfect dining evening in a delightful restaurant. The wait staff was extremely helpful in maneuvering through the menu. BATA grossly exceeded any restaurant expectations I had for Tucson. They are one of my three favorite dining spots in Arizona. If you are in Tucson and want a TRUE DINING EXPERIENCE, call BATA. They will blow your mind on a great dining experience. Thank you BATA and we will be back! read more

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Enjoyed a Chef's Table 9 Course Dinner 3/29/2025. A gift from our children. The owners also own Reilly's Craft Pizza and Drink ( www.reillypizza.com ) which offers terrific food at an every day affordable price point. Bata is on another level. Small plates of artistically presented creative recipes featuring staples such as a beet, a couple of tiny turnips, cod, steak, just to mention a few. Very expensive. No wine less than $16 a glass ( nothing special about it ). Great service included in the high prices...like new silverware for each course. To get a view of our $300+ dinner check out my YouTube link. Five star for the well healed patron. Fewer stars for those interested in fine but less glamorous food. https://youtu.be/spi3EiLCzJc?feature=shared read more

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I went here for my birthday in December. We did the chefs counter. You can pay extra to have a wine tasting with each course. We didn't but we did order alcoholic drinks off the menu! Even checked out the Bar Downstairs. Super cute. The chef was super nice! He's born and raised in Tucson. Thought that was cool. He was knowledgeable, everything used is locally grown and caught. Even the fish nothing more than 400 miles from its location. Super yummy good. We both were highly satisfied. The one dish my man didn't like was mushrooms 7 ways! Very potent flavor. They were also able to accommodate my dairy restrictions to the point my very own dessert was made. Cookies to the spices all made in house. We want to try again but regular dine in seating. read more

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After reading the mixed reviews, I wondered if I should've cancelled my reservation...but we had a great evening dining here. Just know these are artful, small plates (literally) and prepared with fine technique and layered flavors (IMHO). The flavor of the wood burning oven was highlighted and I appreciated the creative vegetable choices on the menu. Good choices: --grilled fermented potato bread, cultured butter. Really great. --grilled spiced carrots, creative prep --grilled squash, wish I could remember the name of sauce as it was so tasty --beef and pork kofta The only letdown was the chicken with miso butter. Skin was limp and chicken was bland. Servers were super helpful in explaining each dish and coursed our dinner well. Loved the open, industrial style of the dining room. read more

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Enjoyed our anniversary dinner here. First time dining at Bata and it was so great! Cocktails were really good. The service was fantastic and the food was creative. Really beautiful restaurant but not overdone. We decided to do the chef's choice and we were so glad that we did. Plenty of food, so many things to try and all of it really good. Probably the only thing that was just ok was the cucumber and melon salad because the melon seemed to have no sweetness or flavor to it. But everything else was delicious (and I wouldn't call the cucumber and melon bad). This had a very New York feel to it - in a really good way. I was a little skeptical at first since the menu changes so frequently and you just don't know what they are going to have, but I'm so glad I decided to give it a try. I would highly recommend - take the chance (a little adventurous), it's so worth it! I would definitely bring friends from out of town here and would definitely go back for dinner with my family. It showcases the local talent and food so well! read more

I went here some time ago (March) and forgot to do a review! This is a downtown restaurant in which you'll need to find street or lot parking. It's fairly hidden if you ask me, as I would have driven past it and not noticed the restaurant there. Walking in, there's a very open concept. You can see the cooks in the middle of the kitchen and the dinning areas fave me an industrial impersonal feel. Kind of made me feel like something I would see in New York.. fancy looking but a little cold. I liked it for Tucson, as it felt very different from what we have already. The menu is seasonal and changes and the it was also was small with limited options (pictured). We quickly realized we would not be eating much meat. Thinknkf tapas, as the portions are pretty small and though the chef is talented, you will definitely not be full after ordering a few plates between a couple people. The server will tell you, that you'll probably want to order at least a few plates. That being said, you are probably spending easily at least $100 for a meal for 2. We were pleasantly surprised with how much we enjoyed the small plates (the smokiness and flavor the carrots was amazing- the mushroom skewer very good, and the bread of course was so soft and yummy!) however not sure I would go again due to the portion sizes, scarceness of the menu, and need for another meal after this one. It could be a great place for appetizers though or drinks and small plates if you're not looking for a full dinner! read more

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This was our 2nd visit to Bata. The first time everything was just perfect. This time, not so much. The service was good as before. The appetizers were delicious (we ordered all 3!). I was really looking forward to the mushroom dish with squash and beets, but I was very disappointed. The squash and beets were strongly pickled and were in such large chunks they overwhelmed the mushrooms' more subtle flavors. I finally scraped them off and just ate the rest of the dish. read more

Beautifully prepared foods with unique flavors. Some plates were so teeny tiny really hard to share. Good service and ambiance. They also made us an off-me requested cocktail that was incredible! read more

BATA - All 3 desserts - New American Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Food is exquisite, staff is attentive. Something special about the wonderful atmosphere of this upscale restaurant. Our friends from Brooklyn were pleasantly surprised. It's a Tucson gem. read more

This is my second time at Bata, and it did not disappoint. Choose for Me with the Wine Pairing was amazing. I am GF, and they went above and beyond to accommodate me. You will not be disappointed by Bata. Eat here as soon as you can!! read more

First time here, we have been wanting to make it in for a very long time. Read the reviews, heard the hype, drove by and I am happy to report it is ALL TRUE! What a gorgeous place, it feels like you are walking into a gorgeous restaurant in a big city, you pick it. Truly modern and clean. We sat at the bar because that is the best place of course, you get to watch all the action. Then there's the menu, what a selection of small plates. Easily shared perfectly portioned. We enjoyed some of the oysters, carnitas, wagyu beef, pork belly and Shishito peppers! Let me tell you about the flavors, hard to describe As they are something out of this world. Bold beautiful yet soft flavors, unlike your usual food around here. Beautiful umami in every bite. Then there's BarBata downstairs. Holy Guacamole! Amazing cocktails, also well prepared and perfectly balanced! So tasty! We could resist having a couple of them for desert! All in all, truly impressed. From the front of the house welcome to our bartender to our waiter, impeccable. Will definitely be back! read more

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Okay Tucson...I see you. I loved everything about BATA; the aesthetic, the service. And of course the food! Definitely an elevated dining experience, which we don't have much of here. Our waiter was super knowledgeable about the menu and gave great recommendations. We loved that 90% of the menu is sourced within Arizona and everything else is still within a couple hundred mile radius. So knowing that this menu rotates def will make us go back often. The menu is made up of small plates. I think there were plenty of options but majority are more vegetable forward. I wouldn't recommend this for group dining, because the portions are small. I would say perfect for 2-4 to share and try a bunch of different things. We were hungry when we got seated and were nervous we wouldn't leave full, but we were happily proved wrong. read more

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Upscale dining with imaginative and ever-changing menu. The service here is very good as would be expected for the upscale and modern dining experience. The food is very unique and the portions are quite small particular for the price. However, it can be fun to sample a number of dishes with a large group of friends, as our group did. It's a unique food experience that shines in Tucson where little compares to the innovative menu. read more

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We returned but this time we ordered from the menu versus doing thr chefs counter. It was a stunning service as usual! We enjoyed every single dish (and we tried every appetizer) and the beverages as usual were perfect. I love going early to go to Barbata and LOVE going with the Dealers choice- just a couple of insights to my preferences and they create magic in a glass. The bar is dark and romantic and upstairs is open and inviting but still quaint in it's own way. read more

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I've been debating how to review this restaurant. We went for a birthday celebration - party of 2. We knew it would be a much different experience than we've ever had just based on the concept and reviews. First off, the restaurant is beautiful. The decor is modern, and it feels like you're in a big city. Second, the service is excellent. You can tell that they pride themselves in taking care of their customers. They even had a happy birthday card on the table when we were seated. Third, they cook everything with an open flame. This means that what they consider to be charred could be what you consider to be burnt. We ate six different items. 3 of them were some of the best food we've ever eaten anywhere. The other 3 were some of the worst food we've ever eaten anywhere. This review is hard because our experience included both incredible highs and incredible lows. I think this restaurant deserves a second chance one day. read more

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The bread was light, airy, flavorful and fluffy. I enjoyed it and the accompanying salted butter spread on the dish. I saved a roll during the beginning of the meal for sopping up delicious bits through the dinner and this was a great choice! The albacore crudo was acid forward. When I was looking for balance and a nice bite of fish, I found my tastebuds overcome with a harsh, numbing acidic note from the grapefruit segments. I wanted a little more richness, maybe from a fattier fish, perhaps a bit of dairy. It just seemed that something was missing. The cod was the next dish that came out. It was SPICY! I was a bit disappointed because I love spicy food but it overwhelmed the whole flavor of the dish. In the center of the cut of fish, the spice was balanced by amount of meat, but toward the ends, the bites were primarily spicy sauce. The accompanying Jerusalem artichoke and beet bites were delicious! The squash two ways was BY FAR the best thing we ate at BATA. I was absolutely in awe with the flavor of the tender and sweet bites with the perfectly spiced curry and herbs. The textures in the raw squash salad were also amazing! There were a multitude of flavors, textures and even some warm and cold elements in the bowl which were fantastic. By the end of the meal, our server was nowhere to be found though. There was a 30-45 min delay on getting water in the midst of our meal as well which felt a bit odd for the caliber of this restaurant. By the end, we wanted a dessert but were tired of the slow and unpredictable service that we settled up with our waitress and left. I will fondly remember the squash dish but don't know that I'll rush back to BATA. read more

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Nice ambience but food was disappointing. Steak was fatty and tough. Hot dishes were lukewarm warm at best. Menu is extremely limited. Unique and eclectic food requires a specific palate to be appreciated. I'm sure this establishment will appeal to those looking for a trendy gourmand experience to brag about, but not those of us who just want a good meal for the money spent. Service, however, was excellent. read more

Picked Bata for my birthday again. I am glad they haven't changed! My friends from out of town were very impressed as well. You did me proud! read more

This is a tucson 5 star restaurant with incredible and carefully sourced and prepared food. A couple years in, they still maintain discipline in both the kitchen and among the staff. Let me make it easy, if you truly appreciate tito and pep, this is the downtown ambiance version and a little richer and more delectable. Both have great cocktails too. read more