The food here is amazing. I recommend the Caesar salad with steak. Great service as our server, Emmanuel was on point and the manager, Candee, was very sweet and professional. As far as the atmosphere, it's beautiful. The bar is gorgeous and it's so authentic! read more

Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen - Bar area - Mexican Near Me - Orange, California

We stopped by Old Towne OC around 10 a.m. to walk around, and a few places we originally planned to visit were still closed. Then we unexpectedly came across this super popular restaurant! The crowd alone caught our attention, so we decided to give it a try -- and I'm glad we did. Atmosphere: The moment we walked in, the vibe immediately stood out. It has a charming vintage feel, with beautiful natural sunlight pouring in, making the whole space warm and cozy. Perfect for a relaxing weekend brunch or a casual meal with family and kids. Here are the dishes we highly recommend: Guacamole & Chips Absolutely addictive. The guacamole was fresh, creamy, and packed with flavor. We couldn't stop eating it. Steak Plate The steak was cooked perfectly tender, and the juicy corn underneath soaked up all the delicious flavors. Every bite felt satisfying. Pulled Pork Tacos Super authentic Mexican-style tacos with rich layers of flavor. The combination of refried beans and avocado sauce made them even better. A few small notes: The restaurant was extremely busy, so the staff seemed a little overwhelmed at times. Service was okay overall, but understandable considering how packed it was. Coffee lovers: Their coffee leaned a bit on the sweeter side for us, so if you prefer less sweetness, it's worth mentioning when ordering. Overall, such a fun and lively brunch spot in Old Towne OC. Definitely worth trying if you're in the area! read more

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We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner at Gabbi's. Came on a weekday and had no difficulty being seated. Great drinks, I especially liked my Jalapeño Pepino Margarita (yes, it packs a bit of a spicy punch). Our guacamole serving for starters, freshly made, was very large. And yet, we ate it all. I had the pozole for dinner which I haven't had in ages. The photo doesn't lie, the broth was very dark and mysterious. What lurked in the depths of my soup bowl? Only delicious pieces of clams on the shell, shrimp, red fish and hominy. Delicious! Very much recommended. read more

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TLDR: drinks were fine, street corn was fine, nothing else was. No sign, bad mains, MIA mgmt. This was a genuine disappointment, but I should have listened to my gut when they said they can't make guacamole without onion because his words "it's premade" not we make a large batch every day, it's premade he said. I hoped it was just a miscommunication, but then the main courses came out and wow, premade and heated up for us is what I think we got. The chicken enchiladas...the chicken was bland and tasted like it was prepared long ago, not anywhere within an hour of our arrival at the restaurant. I guess that's why they couldn't switch the protein in the enchiladas to steak, it likely was previously assembled and heated up. I know restaurants are struggling with inflation, but screwing over your customers with subpar food isn't the answer and will lead to a restaurant closing. Wait staff was friendly, but slow. Management MIA. Still tipped the waiter well, but I feel kinda swindled by these guys. No sign outside either and the hostess joked that they're famous for not having a sign. Looking at the sad state of my dinnerware, I'm starting to suspect they're just cheap. read more

Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen - Enchiladas Suizas - Mexican Near Me - Orange, California

It's always a shame when the food is CLEARLY frozen. It's an adorable location. The staff was great. None of this is their fault. Entrees? Flavorless. Textures? So obviously frozen. If I wanted frozen chicken, I'd cook my own. Street corn? Fine... though with clumps of spice throughout, very poorly mixed. Just a real shame. In a location like this, there is no excuse for this. read more

Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen - Mexican Near Me - Orange, California

Came to this gem as a recommendation and I will say the ambiance of this place was so relaxing and inviting. The service from our server Danny was above and beyond. He gave us recommendations on drinks and food and whatever things to try. As per usual I went for it all. The asada tacos, salsa and chips, guacamole, and of course dessert of chocolate churros with ice cream were a hit! If you're in the area of Orange County, you should definitely come in and try for yourself. You won't be disappointed! read more

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Gabbi's served delicious, fresh, high quality Mexican food and cocktails! We had 12 people in our group and everyone loved their meals. I've never had green mole, so I was curious to try the Camarones con Mole Verde. The mole was savory, the shrimp were juicy, and the veggies crisp. Their cocktail menu had several interesting options, but since I was driving I couldn't have too many. I love Mezcal so I had to try the Tamarindo con Chile, and I am happy that I did! It had a nice blend of heat and smokiness, and I really liked that it wasn't overpowered by sweetness. Their michelada was great too. The restaurant had a great atmosphere and the staff were friendly and attentive. I'll definitely come back! read more

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Small restaurant is lil hard to find. We went during lunch on Saturday without a reservation. Thank god we had no choice but to sit outside. The inside area is too dark and claustrophobic. Not a lot of variety on the menu. Choose the Enchilada de Camerones and partner had the big ass burrito. The enchilada was average until I got to the middle part. It became really salty. I couldn't finish but It was way better than the burrito. Do not order the burrito. It was nasty, salty with all kinds of crap in it. We also had chips and salsa. The service was good. Our bill came out to be $80. Not worth it at all. My first and last visit. El Torito would've been better. read more

Tiagayo Arbita The most amazing restaurant and amazing vibes on downtown with sitting on patio with sun rays falling . It was a very cute one and though difficult to find as they didn't their name on front or top . They have a beautiful baskets at entrance which was elegant. Food was amazing tool chips and salads with guacamole and fries. Freis were amazing with salsa. I took Tiagayo Arbita a vegetarian type flat bread and it was unique and had amazing flavor . A purple crispy tortilla with guacamole and fresh Avocado with some feta cheese. Would defiantly recommend to visit this place read more

Folks always rave about this place, so my husband (who had been here before), and myself came for a date night. Honestly- it was just okay. I do not have the same level of local nostalgia as some folks who grew up here and frequented these places a lot, which i sometimes feel skew opinions, so this place just felt okay. The service was meh- for example our water cups were left empty for quite some time, and the food was just okay. I keep thinking that maybe we should go back, but with all the other great Mexican food in OC, I just haven't yet. Parking for this place has the same struggles as all of the restaurants in the circle, so check parking locations prior to coming if that is something that gives you anxiety. Overall, I do not see the draw, outside of it being very close to the Orange circle, which provides its own additional destination and ambiance. read more

One of the best restaurants I've been to in a while. The food and service were amazing. The place is beautiful, the parking was a bit of inconvenience. My mom just had surgery and we asked if we could go through the back door to limit her walking and they weren't very accommodating so we went around but worth the walk. The salsa was soo good!!! I wish it was closer to me read more

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This is a really nice smaller restaurant right near the Orange circle. The elote was super tasty and would have really been too much by itself but as a garnish on top of my enchiladas, it was fabulous! I mixed it with my rice and with the beans. It was the 'secret sauce' for everything. The ambiance was perfect and the size of the restaurant was just right. It's hard to find because there doesn't appear to be a sign so look out for the hanging baskets/hats. Highly recommend Gabbi's! read more

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Authentic Mexican cuisine upscale restaurant, interior is nicely decorated with good ambience. We ordered salsa chips and guacamole to start, the server refilled our chips, the salsa tasted great and it was so good we ate too much and actually filled us up before our main entrees came haha! The only down side is the parking really is abit of a nightmare here in old town. There's parking on the back but it's nearly impossible to get a space during weekend, so I really suggest parking a few blocks away and just walk here. read more

Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen - Dining area - Mexican Near Me - Orange, California

We were here for a Friday night dinner for a party of six. They were able to sit us on the patio/sidewalk and it was spacious. Their margaritas are so good. They have a kids menu too with rice and bean burritos or quesadillas. Our server was attentive and checked in at the right times. read more

Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen - Spicy margarita - Mexican Near Me - Orange, California

Used to be my favorite spot in the circle. But I think it's quality and variety has feminist, at least during lunch service. Hace not been here Ina. Long while for dinner. But have gone to it's sister restaurant down in Santa Ana and prefer it. Staff is friendly and the space is cheerful. Haven't changed since it opened a while back. read more

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Service was slow, took forever to get our appetizers, guac, and entrees. Food was good, but I can't recommend coming here. It was an average experience at best. read more

We came here recently as it's someone we know's favorite place. The vibe was nice because it was in downtown Orange and it was bustling. We came around 3:30 and all of our party hadn't arrived so we ended up being late enough for the dinner menu which starts at 4. One of my favorite things about this place was the chips and salsa. The chips were sturdy and the salsa had a very nice flavor (without much spice). I ordered the beef taquitos con salsa verde and my son had a kids cheese enchilada. Both orders were fine, honestly not the most special Mexican food I've had but not terrible. The waitstaff was very patient with us since our full party took a long time to arrive and they were so on it with refills and asking if everything was good. All in all the ambiance was nice but for my tastebuds I just wasn't blown away (nor super disappointed) in the food. read more

Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen - Kids cheese enchilada - Mexican Near Me - Orange, California

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Really disappointing visit this evening. It started up strong with good recommendations, and decent service pace, but after the food was delivered, we got one check back from our server when I ordered another glass of wine. 20 minutes later, we had empty water glasses, and still no sign of the additional glass of wine. My wife's drink was empty for at least that long. After no sign of the server, I got up and went to the host stand and asked them for a check and let them know that our server was MIA. They seemed like they had a sense of urgency, but it took another eight minutes for someone to visit our table with the check... And it still had the glass of wine that never came on it. I let him know, and also that we wanted to bag up some of our food... The new server went away, and after another five minutes, the other server came back with the bag and the check fixed. No manager visit the entire evening, even after we let the host know that we were having a bad experience. All said and done... $145 pre-tip feels like you should be able to expect a little bit higher level of service. read more

Upon entering, the ambiance had a traditional Latin feel with a modern touch. Unfortunately, my first impression of the customer service was not very welcoming. The atmosphere is not family-friendly, as it is quite dark and lacks kid-friendly drink options. The chips were mediocre, and the salsa tasted like basic tomato salsa. I'm always willing to wait for exceptional food, but sadly, that wasn't the case here. I ordered the Carnitas Norteñas, which were excessively greasy to the point that I couldn't eat them and had to send them back. The Eduardo burrito, however, had good flavor and plenty of carne asada. Three of us ended up sharing the burrito since I didn't want to wait a long time to order another entrée. Overall, I would not return. The prices were quite high and did not reflect the quality of the food or the level of service. read more

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First off, the food here is pretty memorable. They served one of the best beef-based tacos I've ever had. Robust, meaty, and chock full of flavors in all sorts of wonderful combinations of savory, spicy, and tangy. And the dessert of the common churros was spectacular, especially when served with both chocolate and caramel sauces, and ice cream. It was one hell or a capper to the evening. The place is nice--small, but nice. And it certainly packed to the brim with loud patrons. But everyone manages to squeeze by the other by the hair of their chinny chin chin. My big complaint was an incident with the service. My server had given me some good suggestions as to what to order. And everything he came up with was a banger. My issue is at the end of the meal he took my card to pay and didn't come back for 9-12 minutes. In that time he managed to take two more orders, refill drinks, and walk back to kitchen. He was doing a lot except for running my bill and giving me back my card. It was like he was on a walkout and couldn't be bothered to let me leave with my card. I even had to remind another server that I still hadn't got back my bill or credit card. If there's one thing I can't stand it's a waiter or waitress who can't fulfill the basic functions of his job on time. Getting back the customer bill in an expedited is basic--like remembering orders or checking every so often for refills. It's the bare minimum of doing your job. Like I said, I like the food. It was pretty memorable. But also pretty memorable was the nagging thought he had misplaced my card and was trying to discreetly cover it up or the nagging thought he was just forgetful and had let it slip his mind completely that somebody was waiting on him so that the person could leave, just get out. Whatever it was--neglect or incompetence--it made kind of rue the thought of ever coming back or recommending this place to anyone. read more

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Returned here again last week for another fantastic meal. The Gorditas and Empanadas were both amazing appetizers, especially love the empanadas with nopales, meat and shrimp and the crispy shell. I had the Enchiladas with Zucchini Flowers-not really sure they were in there, it would have been nice to see them more prominently featured, but nonetheless they were absolutely delicious-firm tortillas, filled with cheese and I guess the flowers, and a tasty and spicy sauce-if you enjoy heat, this could be your dish. Everything else was flawless. My complaint in so many of my reviews at finer dining establishments is the total missing lack of service protocol. DO NOT clear the plates until everyone is done. I know you want to turn the table over but this is just NOT RIGHT. DON'T DO IT. Managers, train your staff to wait until everyone is finished eating to remove all the dishes. This goes for this establishment as well. Service here was attentive, but coming to fill your water glass every five minutes just because your glass is still two thirds full, please back off a bit. Now these are some minor observations and I'd take off half a star for these, but the food outweights these slight oversights. This is a place that is consistently good and the service is decent, I also appreciate the tables outside where you can bring your dog. Keep up the good work, and fine tune those service issues, and I'll continue to come back. read more

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I've dined at Gabbi's twice now, my first experience was phenomenal - I tried the tacos which were fresh, light, and flavorful. My second dining experience was a little underwhelming, I opted for the Ensalada De Cítrica, which was okay, I think I would have liked mixed greens as opposed to the arugula because of the bitterness of the greens. I love their salsa, it has a kick! We also tried the shrimp enchiladas, the green sauce was thick and creamy. Their menu is small compared to other Mexican restaurants, but there is thought and quality behind each dish. Gabbi's would be a great spot for a girls lunch, dinner, or date night. read more

Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen - Enchiladas de Camarones - Mexican Near Me - Orange, California

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Food was delicious, service was awesome (thank you Alfredo!).We had a large party. The ambiance is excellent especially the music. read more

Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen - Mexican Near Me - Orange, California

Accounting for both times I went- the first was good nothing stood out, solid upscale Mexican place. Food was good I went again tonight and i never even made it to the table! I asked how long the wait was for 3 and the hostess said 45 minutes and I said okay can you put our name down she said yea I need a number. She then proceeds to take my number down and gets it wrong. At this point, she keeps trying to repeat the (wrong) number back to me if the reservation is under the name, Kyle. Mind you my name is not Kyle and I did not make a reservation. She must been high or something because I have no other explanation for this. I think she asked me if my name was Kyle three times and I told her I didn't have a reservation yet and was trying to make one. She said "I know". This whole time she hasn't once asked for my name so I'm not sure where she kept getting Kyle from and my number is very out of state so there's no way someone had a similar one that was one digit off. After all this she we got the name and number cleared up. I thought I was tweaking when I left to walk around after she said we would get a text when our table is ready. my friends who were right next to me said I wasn't and they heard the whole thing and were also confused. So that makes me feel better. To top it all off we ended up just going home and ordering take off. 1h 30m hours later we realized we never got a text that our table was ready so she never even put us on the list read more

I've been here a few times and I love it. It's hidden in plain sight, next door to the old army surplus store. This is a great date night spot, but be aware that it can be busy. We've gone off peak times and were seated immediately. Friday night at 7p we had a 40 minute wait and walked around the Circle and visited some of the eclectic shops. The inside is dimly lit and not overly loud, great for chatting. Service is incredible. Prices are reasonable. Food is great. The menu is limited, but there are plenty of options (including for vegetarians) and everything is delicious. Chips and salsa are complimentary and fresh. Appetizers are great (I've had the empanadas and queso fundido) and the portions are generous. Mains are great too (this visit we had the mole enchiladas, mushroom tacos). Desserts look good, but we've been too full to try them. If you haven't been, it's highly worth visiting! Not sure why this place doesn't have more stars!!!! read more

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The ambiance was great! It had a Mexican Cuban vibe going on with a playlist of 6 songs on repeat. The food on the other hand was interesting. The cost/flavor experience was wild given that there was no consistency with flavor or saltiness across the platter. It either was no salt, or salt just punched you in the face. Lastly, our server was phenomenal. Their understanding of dinner dynamics felt seamless and dependable. read more

My partner and I came here for a little date night. We've actually dined here a few times before and usually enjoy it as a relaxing spot with good food and drinks. Unfortunately, our most recent visit wasn't quite as great. To be fair, our server, the food, the drinks, and the ambiance were all wonderful. So what kept me from giving this a rave review? The fact that we were seated directly under an AC vent and spent the next hour trying to eat while our teeth were practically chattering. We came in during the afternoon around 5-6pm hoping to warm up a bit. The evening had started to get chilly, and we decided to have a cozy date night at Gabbis to enjoy some nice food. Instead, we were blasted with cold air the entire time. I honestly couldn't understand why the AC needed to be on at all the whole front of the restaurant is open, and the weather outside was already cooling the space down. I'm typically the one saying i love the AC and love when a restaurant has it on. But there are times and this was one of them where it should have been off. The patrons dining in the outside tables all had heaters going, and I'll admit, I felt a little jealous of them! Despite that, the guac and chips were great, and our drinks were wonderful. I ordered the chilaquiles suiza, which were good, though perhaps a bit sweeter than I personally prefer. Sadly, all the wonderful elements of the experience were overshadowed by how cold we were throughout the meal. If the AC had simply been turned off or if seating had been a bit more mindful of the vents it would have made a huge difference. So if you do go here, take a jacket with you. Its best to be safe than sorry. read more

I have to review Gabbi's again because if I could give it 10 stars I would. We always get lucky enough to find a spot at the bar and Rodolfo is our favorite bartender. He makes the best margaritas and is always consistent. The last couple of times I've stopped in I've tried different dishes and everything has been delicious. Particularly the chicken mole enchiladas, I usually love the shrimp ones but Rodolfo suggested I try the chicken and he hasn't steered me wrong yet, they were fire! Served alongside white rice and plantains the sweet and savory combo hit the spot. On another note: we stopped in one day and it was apparently International Women's Day and I was served a complimentary martini and yucca fries at the bar read more

Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen - Chicken Mole Enchiladas with white rice and plantains - Mexican Near Me - Orange, California

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The food was amazing. We had the Puebla tacos, which I highly recommend. The skirt steak and esquite were Al's excellent. Went on a Saturday night and highly recommend getting a reservation before going as it gets quite busy. Vibe - great for a date night! It's a quaint spot. Service - 5/5 read more

Basic tasting food for an expensive price. We had a reservation here and we were exactly 5 mins late and they gave our reservation away! We were livid! If you want Mexican food and you're in the Orange area, go to Avila's El Ranchito, you'll get your money's worth. They need to invest in lighting inside this place too. It's so dark in there I had to use my phone flashlight to look at the menu. read more

Being at the heart of the Orange Circle, it's a definite go to if you haven't tried it. Michelin distinction and food is very good! I really liked the Iced Cafe de Olla and honestly wish someone can teach me how to do this at home because it's sooo good! The citrus notes that it brings mixed with the cafe de olla, makes it very refreshing for the summer or just when you want to have an iced drink! Food was also very flavorful! Though I wished they served a little bit more because it wasn't as filling as I expected it to be. Service was great and the waiter gave us a free dessert for my bother's birthday which nice! I really liked the environment though. You can tell that they put a lot of work into it and loved the darker theme of it. Very classy. Overall a 8/10 read more

Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen - Mexican Near Me - Orange, California

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I had such an amazing experience here last night. It wasn't my first time, but I was so excited to be back because I'm such a huge fan. The salsa is so delicious I could literally drink it. Everything tastes incredibly fresh and thoughtfully executed. My chicken was tender, juicy, and cooked perfectly. You can really taste the quality in every dish. We also had such a friendly waiter who made the whole experience even better. The architecture and interior design are beautiful, and the cocktails were phenomenal. Their cocktail program is absolutely not to be missed. Hands down my favorite Mexican restaurant in Orange County. read more

Looking for great Mexican cuisine, stop in here but, you need to be on the look out, it's a place that is easy to miss. There is no neon lights or signs, just delicious traditional dishes created by Chef Gabbi Patrick. The front is an open air patio seating area. The cocktails are amazing, I particularly like the margaritas. Have your server provide some suggestions from the menu but you can't go wrong with anything. Try the tacos or one of my favorites the shrimp enchiladas. Want to finish up with dessert? Go for the Tres Leches cake, presented beautifully and tastes even better. read more

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Service was very good... super attentive. The ambience was cool... crowded for a Wednesday. Food? Well I wasn't all the impressed with it. The chips were not salted at all and the salsa was a little bit too spicy for me and they are not complimentary like many Mexican restaurants. I got the flor de calabaza quesadilla, which was summer squash, corn, pasilla, epazote, oaxacan cheese, with habanero molcajete on the side. It really had no flavor and when I added the sauce, it was extremely spicy. I decided to ask for some salt to add to the dish and that brought out a better cheese flavor. I don't think I'd go back, especially because of the cost. read more

Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen - flor de calabaza quesadilla - summer squash, corn, pasilla, epazote, oaxacan cheese, habanero molcajete and a few chips - Mexican Near Me - Orange, California

The venue offers a pleasant ambiance, though lighting becomes noticeably dimmer toward the back of the room. Service is consistently courteous and professional. Unfortunately, the food does not meet the same standard set by the atmosphere and service. A broader and more varied menu would be appreciated, as the limited selection contributed to a relatively high bill. Vegetarian options are very limited. For a party of two adults and two children ordering one dish each, the total exceeded $110 without alcoholic beverages. Based on this experience, I would rate it one star. Orange offers many other options for dining. Take a stroll along the antique boutique filled streets, and try other eateries as well. read more

It's a cute place and conveniently located in the orange circle area in a nice area where you can walk around and enjoy the shops. The service was good and friendly. All the food was very tasty, we had the enchiladas and carnitas and both were excellent. the prices are a little higher than your average Mexican food, but it was appropriately priced considering the quality and quantity. read more

Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen - Enchiladas Suizas - Mexican Near Me - Orange, California

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We went to brunch last sunday and the service was amazing! We sat at the bar and the bartender made some excellent food recommendations and also made some craft cocktails that incorporated what we liked. He created this espresso martini, that was not overly sweet and more coffee based which is what we enjoy. The quesillo en salsa verde was so cheesy and tasty. The contrast between the crunchy, chicharon and the warm cheese was perfect. The chilaquiles came recommended by the bartender, and they did not disappoint. I would recommend adding a protein. Lastly the empanadas were a hit! The unique presentation of the flaky tortilla was so good and the filling was again a great contrast to the warm, delicious filling. The inside of the restaurant was cute and dim, which added to a intimate ambiance. We plan on coming back! read more

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Gabbi's is amazing!! I went for dinner and was immediately seated, unfortunately it was outside though and I was looking forward to the ambiance on the inside of the restaurant. Even though it was outside my server came very quickly and he was super nice and attentive. I ordered the Gorditas al pastor and they were SO good! There were so many different flavors and I think the pinapple really added to it. I haven't been to a restraunt in a very long time that genuinely surprised me with how much flavor was in their dishes. I will definitely be coming back. read more

Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen - Gorditas al Pastor - Mexican Near Me - Orange, California

Came here with 5 people for lunch and the service and food were great! What a beautiful restaurant. First of all, their chips, salsa and added guacamole ($15) were so good! For our starter we had the taquitos, which were huge and had a good amount of shredded meat inside. I opted for their chicken enchiladas, and this came with 2 packed enchiladas, garlic rice which was so good and really delicious black beans. YUM! Filling dish but worth it ($23). Others in my group had the shrimp enchiladas, shrimp tacos, the seabass and steak burrito and we were all pleased. Will definitely be back to try their dinner! read more

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Really amazing and unique! The cellar room is like nothing I've been before. If you have a larger group I would absolutely recommend. Server was very attentive and knowledgeable. She was very patient with the group. I wish I remembered her name.. food had a modern yet authentic twist. They were out of the fish if the day, I plan on trying that next time I go! read more