Came here for dinner on a Sunday, and overall enjoyed my experience, but wasn't amazed. Knowing this is a sister restaurant to Rolo's which has one of my favorite gourmet burgers, I was very excited to try the food. The ambience of the place is definitely vibe-y, service was great, and they were quite busy throughout the night! For two of us, our overall order was the chips and guac and aguachile to start, followed by the shrimp tacos, Hamachi collar special, as well as the Arctic Char. Accompanied by a couple cocktails and finished off with the matcha churros for dessert. Despite being very excited about this place - I found the food to be just okay. There wasn't one item that stood out to me as amazing, and didn't feel like I ate anything I'd have to go back for (like that Rolo's burger!). The chips and guac was great, however aguachile was lacking in flavor (I don't think the fish was marinated) and did not come with any tostadas. The shrimp tacos were very small, overpriced, and slightly tough (overcooked). The hamachi collar was probably the best item we had, which was a special item for the day. The arctic char was simply simple. Overall I enjoyed my meal and my team here, but did not find the food that impressive despite hearing so many good things. I *would* come back to try the brunch pancakes, and I'm hoping those are amazing. 5/5 for cocktails, environment, service. 2/5 for food, cost. Puts this at a 3/5 for me personally. read more

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Service: 4.1/5 Food: 3.8/5 Price: $$$ ($30-50) 70's revival interior design gives it a cozy feel while still keeping it elevated enough so it's not out of place to spend a special occasion meal. Great song choices. The have a (fake) stuffed jaguar in a glass case installation. Bustling environment without being too loud. As always for a brunch place, it's packed. What I Ordered: - crispy shrimp tacos: not actually crispy + small shrimp, jalapeños were deceivingly spicy - soft scrambled egg tostada: a little salty, drenched in a not spicy chili oil - heirloom masa pancakes*: perfectly portioned, fluffy + spongy, not too sweet, advertised as "soufflé" but they're not *what I would get again read more

Quite the dining experience was had at Hellbender. After seeing lots of hype on social, I finally decided to celebrate my birthday at Hellbender. It was fairly easy to make a reservation for a a Saturday evening. The standout hit was the fried Oaxaca cheese- a delicious twist on a mozzarella stick- I wish there were more! You could definitely eat your own portion of these. The ribs Al pastor style were a fun twist on the traditional Al pastor tacos. These packed some serious heat but were really tasty. I also had the shrimp tacos, which were flavorful and packed just the right amount of heat. The steak entree was extremely delicious: cooked to perfection, flavorful and prepared over a delicious bed of onions which packed even more flavor. Drinks were delicious, my margarita was tasty. They also have a really nice selection of local beers on tap. They have a full bar as well for bar seating. Make sure to save room for dessert. We tried the delicious hibiscus churros , however I heard rave reviews about their homemade jellos. There are many different menu items and I look forward to returning to try some others. read more

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mmmmmm so delicous, flavors so sophisticated, easy to share, and serving the best bloody mary i've like ever had. Hellbender, you impressive gem of a spot -- i'm blown away !! & i will be back for dinner. came in on a busy sunday brunch quite hungover, this cured me. Ordered the agua chilie, potatoes, massa pancakes, tostada scrambled eggs, oaxaca cheese sticks, their coconut shakerato, guava belini, & bloody marias. Massa pancakes are just so surreal; like the best pancake you've had thats earthy with this corn massa while crunchy and buttery -- i dont know, this one changed me. Tostada was so delicious, oaxaca cheese so good, & the agua chilie light and vibrant. Thank you to the team for having us, this was so divine. Will be back!!!! read more

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Walked in for brunch on a Friday and got seated right away. Endive salad was very refreshing and it was a big portion. Masa pancakes were so different and very tasty. Perfectly crisp with a soft center. Chilaquiles were my favorite! Perfectly season and all around well balanced. Would be back to try their dinner menu. read more

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Amazing food. Like seriously. Get the mushroom esquites! We got the last ones available of the night! Hehe. Try it with the milanese (like on top of it?) read more

Hellbender - Yummy - Mexican Near Me - Ridgewood, New York

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Great food and amazing service! Another success from the guys behind Rolos. The place is cute too. I really loved the pancakes so definitely try it (brunch menu). The fried Oaxacan cheese was also good. Their brunch menu is a little different from the dinner menu. I would come back and try their dinner menu next time as well. Rolos is still my fav. read more

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Masa pancakes: overall enjoyable and delicious. My favorite part was the crust; it perfectly gave a depth of flavor that make these pancakes better than a regular buttermilk pancake. It comes with two in an order and after eating half the stack, I felt pretty full, so I'd recommend splitting it between two people. The maple syrup is essential to sweeten the inside. Otherwise, it can feel a bit much and somewhat cloggy texture without it. Spicy lamb tacos: spice-forward in a good way. For the price, I think two tacos feels skimpy and you could get similarly tasty tacos for less elsewhere. Fried Oaxaca cheese: move over, mozzarella sticks and marinara sauce. Fried Oaxaca cheese with tomatillo salsa is a much better combination. The interior is beautiful, especially the bathroom. You would never have guessed this was just a nighttime bar before. We came on a Saturday without a reservation, but they reserve some bar seating for walk-ins, so we were lucky enough to not have to wait, but it was certainly busy throughout for weekend brunch. read more

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Very hip vibe here, a bit loud but in a festive way. Service was great and so was the food. I highly recommend the skirt steak. read more

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I happened to stop here for a Saturday brunch and everything was delicious. The staff was very attentive. The food came out very fast. Everything was hot and tasty and the ambience was great. read more

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I came to Hellbender on a Sunday for brunch at 2pm with my fiancé. I had made a reservation weeks in advance since this place was on my radar for a while and it was absolutely worth the wait! We arrived promptly at 2pm and were seated immediately (honestly did not seem too crowded so I'm not sure what the walk in situation is later in their brunch service--stops at 3pm). This space is absolutely beautiful: it's the sole business in a triangular corner, has windows almost all around it, with high ceilings, which just makes it feel very open and bright. The set up is almost like a diner with a more rustic twist of warm patterned decor and wooden accents. Service was excellent! Our waitress came to get our order and she was very kind answering our questions. To start off my fiancé ordered a margarita with mezcal which he really loved while I got a sparkling water (Topo Chico) which had a subtle hint of lime. We ordered a variety of dishes to share which came out in less than 10 minutes. We ordered: - Fried oaxacan cheese: AMAZING! Please order this. The most elevated fried cheese you will have-- perfectly crispy but delicate crust, generous stringy and salty cheese. I believe it was coated with some cornflakes so there was a very subtle sweetness to the crust. Came with a spicy tomatillo sauce that just tied everything together beautifully. - Shrimp cocktail: simple, light, refreshing, yet full of flavor! Comes with two tostadas that are perfectly crispy and pair very well with the cool citrusy/tangy shrimp. Comes with creamy slices of avocado as well to balance it out. Very good app! - Fried shrimp tacos: I have never been a huge fan of fried seafood tacos but these actually were amazing! The shrimp were juicy and had a thicker batter that was flavorful and crispy. This came with a very fresh cabbage slaw and this delicious creamy tartar sauce with a hint of spice from Serrano chiles. The tortilla tasted fresh, was warm, and I loved that it somehow did not fall apart while we were eating the juicy tacos. Very impressive! Want to try the lamb next time. - Egg tostada: another absolute hit. Fluffy eggs, generously topped with cheese, over a bed of black beans and a crispy tostada. All of this was bathed in the most glorious salsa macha (kinda like a chili oil but less garlicky?) that I could dream of. The spices and aromatics were just on point. Next time, I will get one of these for myself alone. - Heirloom masa pancakes: okay these were mind-blowingly good! I thought I've had the best pancakes in NYC already but these made me question that for the first time in a long time. The stack is thick, the pancake inside is soufflé-like, the crust is caramelized/crispy, almost like a pastry. These were perfection... the batter had a subtle flavor of masa and was almost a little bit savory which was nicely contrasted by the sweet syrup, cinnamon hints, and delicious melted butter. Definitely do not skip them! - Cold brew tres leches: perfect dessert, not too sweet. The cake was on the breadier/denser side but adequately soaked up in the tres leches mix. The coffee and cacao make this taste like a tiramisu. Very enjoyable and worth it although I want to try their gelatinas next since I've heard they are even better! There was not a single bad bite in this meal-- everything was executed to perfection. All dishes have their own unique flavors and textures that are soo good and memorable. Portions run on the smaller side but the food is surprisingly filling and if exceptional quality. This may be one of my new favorite brunch places. Definitely give it a try if you can! read more

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100% lived up to my high expectations! The service was great and prompt, but not in a rushing way. The food stellar. We had the chips and guac (a Mexican restaurant MUST) and the Tuna Carpaccio to start. Both were delicious and the perfect entry point to the meal. The appetizers and cocktails came out simultaneously and complimented each other. I recommend the Mezcal centric ones. For entrées we had the arctic char and pork chops. The pork chops were perfectly tender and had a rich, decadent unctuousness due to the brown butter it was cooked and soaking in. The arctic char was cooked PERFECTLY and so well flavored. It paired wonderfully with the pea tendrils giving it an herbaceous earthiness that accentuated the delightful salinity of the fish, which which somewhere between salmon and trout flavor wise. You need to complete the experience by getting the poblano infused rice and refried beans and OF COURSE their exceptional heirloom masa tortillas tying it all together. Can't wait to come back for brunch next and try those masa pancakes! read more

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What a stellar neighborhood gem. Came here on a Thursday night and sat at the bar. Great decorations and atmosphere, tables are very well spaced out and not on top of each other. It was actually a very decent size on the inside that you might not expect from the outside. Oaxacan cheese was fantastic and SUPER crispy crunchy. The lamb tacos typically come two per order but you can add a third - they were also delicious with the right amount of char lamb flavor. I ended with the churros and at this time I could only make it 2/3 of the way through, but I'm glad I didn't skip it. As a churro fanatic these were top tier. read more

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Popular local spot. Trendy. Came here on a rainy day and it was still packed. We went with the fried oaxacan cheese, soft scrambled eggs tostada and the masa pancakes. All were very tasty but the highlight was the masa pancakes. You get 2 big fluffy pieces. Perfect for sharing. read more

Came at 2pm on a Sunday with no reservation, so we were not expecting to be sat as were told there would be 1.5hr wait with no guarantee. We got a table just before 3 which I was very grateful for and the host staff was friendly. We were told to get our order in before 3 since they would be closing. We ordered just an order of pancakes and unfortunately they were very burnt, but we did not want to send them back/cause any inconveniences as the place was already technically closed with most tables finishing their food and the waitstaff walking around to close out tables. The inside of the pancakes were delicious but the flavor was unfortunately altered by the char on the outside. I would come back with a reservation at a better time, it was a cute spot and seemed like there were a lot of delicious options but we definitely felt the time crunch in our food quality. read more

Everything came out as it was ready. The pancakes were absolutely delicious. Very filling and perfect to share. The lamb tacos were flavorful and a nice level of spicy. The staff was friendly, it wasn't too loud for how busy it was at early brunch. Well lit. read more

Hellbender - Mexican Near Me - Ridgewood, New York

One of my favorite go to Brunch spots, food is always amazing and atmosphere is vibe! read more

When my friend invited me for brunch here, I was hesitant given how far it is. It took me over an hour via bus to come out to Ridgewood just for Hellbender. So here's the verdict --the food is delicious and unique. I'd make a day out of it if you're not local. We started off with a Michelada ($13) and Disco Devil ($16). The michelada had a pretty presentation and the cocktail was strong and bright. For food, we ordered the Fried Oaxacan Cheese ($14), Soft Scrambled Egg Tostada ($13), and Heirloom Masa Pancakes ($16). I was quite impressed with all the food, which were elevated versions of the original. The oaxacan cheese was a crispier and crunchier mozzarella stick that had the stretchiest cheese pull. I'm glad it only came with three pieces as it can get quite heavy. The tostada was so unique from anything I've had before. It seemed small, but the scrambled egg was cooked perfectly and the salsa macha made it so flavorful. The salsa macha reminded me of a chili crisp oil, but wasn't very spicy at all. Of course there's the popular pancakes that everyone comes for. It's so crispy and not too sweet. The masa gives it a nice texture to really soak up the syrup. Overall, such a nice brunch meal. The Mexican flair is a nice touch with some elevated dishes. I would also re-order everything I had, but also would love to try the other items too. read more

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My favorite weekends in New York start with brunch at Hellbender! The food is creative, the drinks are delish, and the vibe is always amazing. Shoutout Conner, the bartender that's always happy and makes me feel special every time I come in :) read more

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Never disappoints!! Had an amazing meal as always. Highlights were the chicken Milanese and the skirt steak. The spicy pineapple margaritas were delicious as well read more

Hellbender - Skirt Steak - Mexican Near Me - Ridgewood, New York

Pancakes are DEELISH and the corniness makes them so unique. I would love a sprinkle of salt over them. Delicious heated up the next day as well. read more

Hellbender - Pancakes - Mexican Near Me - Ridgewood, New York

I had been hearing about Hellbender since moving to Ridgewood earlier this year, so I was excited to give it a try. I was convinced it would either be a sleeper hit or a trip to gentrifier hell. Unfortunately, their dinner service took us straight to the latter. For apps/small plates we ordered the guacamole with stale tortilla chips to boot, the quite bland shrimp ceviche which contained what seemed to be frozen shrimp straight from a package alongside two more stale tostadas, and the endive salad, which was so weird and off-putting we had to send it back in exchange for the snap pea salad (with "spicy granola" on top? not as bad but still a strange choice for a self-proclaimed MEXICAN restaurant). By the time we made it to the entree - the chicken milanesa and green rice - we were exhausted and quite 'hellbent' on leaving. They both left something to be desired - so much so that instead of taking our (quite expensive) uneaten meal home with us, we opted to leave it right there on the table and run to Itzel's on Wyckoff. Despite this clear display of distaste for the evening's meal, the server did mostly nothing when the check came besides remove the endive salad (which she was very unsurprised we sent back! I wonder why). There was no apology for the bad meal, she did not ask us if we liked our food, and seemed pretty spacey and inattentive the whole night. The drinks were okay, an N/A michelada and spicy mezcal marg, but besides that, you are better off going to brunch service like the other reviews rave about. Don't make my mistake. read more

Very hipster vibes. Great service! The food is Mexican fusion. I had the fried Oaxaca cheese (delicious) and the masa pancakes. Please note that both are delicious in the greasy fried way, so do opt for other things on the menu if you're not a fan of greasy food. read more

I was excited to try this restaurant after hearing that it was opened up by the same team as Rolo. We came here for dinner around 7:30 on Saturday night and luckily there were a few tables open. We opted to sit outdoors as it was a bit loud inside and we had a toddler with us. The outdoor area was small but not uncomfortable. But beware, when the wind was blowing sometimes we could smell the trash. (Gross) Overall the food was delicious. We started with the summer melon aquachile & baby gem lettuce salad. Both of which I would recommend if you want to start your meal with something light. The aquachile was a great mix of sour, a little sweet from the melon with a little spice at the end. The salad was creamy and savory, similar to a cesar salad but better. For our entree, we opted to share the shrimp tacos & al pastor pork ribs. The shrimp was cooked perfectly & the serrano added a nice kick (I believe the order comes with 2 tacos, we asked the server to add on a 3rd). The al pastor short ribs were nice and tender, not heavy as I thought it might be. I don't think I'd want to eat all 4 pieces by myself, but it was great to share. We also ordered the chamoy watermelon and the chips & guac after dinner to munch on while we finish off our cocktails. The chamoy watermelon was okay, but the chamoy was too watery for my liking. The chips & guac were fine, but we all found the guacamole salty. For dessert, we ordered their churros to share. The flavor was nice, however the churros were over fried and crunchy all the way thru. When we asked the server, she said it should have been crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside. She did offer to remake them for us, but we declined since we were ending out out. She was nice enough to take it off our bill. (Love the service!) I would definitely check this restaurant out again to try the rest of the menu when I'm back in the neighborhood. Tasty food, good cocktails & great service. read more

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Amazing spot!! 10/10 would recommend!! It's located on a cute little corner and has great natural lighting with outdoor seating available. Service was super friendly and the food came out quite quickly! The tangelo aguachile was sooo refreshing! It was my favorite dish overall. The pairing of the fish with citrus and chile was perfect and I still think about this dish sometimes. The crispy lamb tacos were great! Not too gamey of a flavor and plenty of guac on top to keep it balanced. The fried Oaxacan cheese had the perfect cheese pull and the sauce it came with paired very well with the crunchy sweetness of the breading. The soft scrambled egg tostada was good! It was heavier than I anticipated but the scrambled eggs were perfectly buttery and silky. The heirloom masa pancakes were incredible! The most amazing crispy crust on the outside with a beautiful fluffy inside. You can really taste the corn in it without it being overbearing. I personally felt like the pancake was perfect on its own without any syrup but the syrup was light and not overpowering. The pancakes came out last and my friend and I should've stopped there as it could have been considered our "dessert" but everyone around us was getting the coffee tres leches cake so we caved and got one too. It was a denser cake than I expected but I was not disappointed at all. I much prefer a denser cake for tres leches so it doesn't have a soggy texture. The homemade whipped cream on top was amazing - not too sweet and the perfect texture. I was very happy with everything here and would highly recommend this spot to anyone who wants to try something new/a little different! read more

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From entry to exit, this was an incredibly enjoyable experience. Greeted by an incredibly eclectic decor and an open kitchen, the space is open and welcoming. Cozy yet comfy seating. Superb staff that is both friendly and knowledgeable. The menu is filled with creative takes on various Mexican staples. The chips and guac were incredibly delightful, the chips had an airy texture and the guacamole was super fresh. The "Birria "tacos, which are actually oyster mushroom, were splendid, I wouldn't have known they were not meat. The coconut Jell-O flan for dessert was out of this world. Decent beer and wine list. Will definitely return to explore more of the menu. read more

Still dreaming of this place weeks later lol. I dined here with a girlfriend and we ordered (and shared) the fried cheese, skirt steak, and pancakes. The skirt steak was my favorite: it was tender and very flavorful. The potatoes were bomb as well. The pancakes were cooked perfectly and served HOT. Crispy on the outside and soft and pillowy on the inside. I will say that those pancakes are so thick, you can definitely share. For drinks, we ordered the disco devil and cocorac. The bartender put their elbow in our drinks As I write this review, I'm planning my next brunch date. Maybe even dinner! read more

Service was amazing although there was mishap with the power but food was delish. The steak and chicken was amazing. Guac was fresh and we had the special dessert and it was delicious! read more

Hellbender - Dessert - Mexican Near Me - Ridgewood, New York

Very nice spot in Queens. I have been eager to get in and try their famous Heirloom Masa Pancakes. We went in for Brunch and the vibe was nice. I really enjoyed the early 2000's playlist they had going. Very dope. Ordered me an iced coffee which came with the cool milk pitcher. We ordered the fried Oaxacan cheese which was crispy with a nice cheese pull. The sauce was okay. I expected more of a spice kick. 7/10. We also ordered the soft scrambled egg tostada. There was a nice amount of eggs which I enjoyed- very fluffy but the flavors just did not wow me. 7/10. We also ordered the spicy shrimp tacos. The tacos were good but again did not wow me and were very small. 6/10. Then came the Masa pancakes. Sadly, I was highly disappointed. The cakes appeared to be burned on the outside and undercooked on the inside . The top layer was very oily. We tried to love it but after a few bites we had to throw in the towel. 3/10. The total bill was $91 which I felt was pretty pricey considering I was still a bit hungry after I left. The service was great. Very friendly and welcoming. Being very familiar with restaurants as both a guest and worker I know establishments and chefs have good and bad days, good dishes and bad dishes. We are human. I recommend guests to try it out for themselves. Dope vibe and great staff. read more

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There have been very few times where I have left a meal thinking about it right after and even until the next day, and this dinner was one of the best meals that I've had in a VERY long time. I came with a friend - we had an 8:15 reservation but ended up getting there 30 minutes early. We understood that it was unlikely for us to get a table right away, but we figured better to wait inside and ask then stay out in the cold. They, thankfully, had a table and sat us right away. The vibe is very hip, and it was a bit too noisy for us, but the food and drinks were fantastic. I got a passionfruit margarita with a salted rim, and it was made really well. Food wise, I shared the Fried Oaxacan Cheese and the Oyster Mushroom Tacos with my friend. I loved both - but the Fried Oaxacan Cheese is a MUST HAVE. The Oyster Mushroom Tacos I also enjoyed, but my friend didn't enjoy them as much because she thought the mushrooms were stringy. For our entrees, I got the Three Cheese Empanada and she got the Fried Shrimp Tacos. Both were a hit. The salsa served with the empanada was amazing and it was well balanced. It didn't feel greasy, at all, and tasted amazing. The only downside here was that it took awhile to get our entrees after we finished our appetizer. I honestly thought our server forgot about us, but it wasn't long after that thought that our food appeared. Lastly, I got their jello of the day (to go) and ate at home with my husband. The flavor was mango & mandarin. The mango pieces on the side were just not good. Really sour and not very flavorful. The mandarin was great, and the jello itself was also really good. There was some salt flakes on top, which was an unexpected touch. The food was so good, I forgot to take photos, but I will definitely be back. read more

This was amazing. We ordered almost the whole menu, with our favorites being the pork ribs al pastor and fried cheese. I also really loved the empanada and aguachile, probably more than the rest of our group. Every bite was excellent. read more

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Recently opened, Hellbender gives a sleek West Village cocktail bar feel in Ridgewood - both from a vibes/decor perspective but also from a price perspective. My partner and I had been curious to try it, so we used cinco de mayo as an excise to swing by for a drink and some snacks. We really enjoyed our margaritas as both were spicy and spirit forward. The lamb carnitas were good, particularly paired with the salsa. While the choriqueso was good, I didn't feel it was worth the price point (TBH the carnitas also pushed it for me, though I really enjoyed those). TLDR, worth a visit for a date night and I was glad to try it, but would likely prioritize trying other spots in the area first. read more

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Waitress will let you and three of your closest friends each order the chilaquiles when they're so clearly meant for sharing they come with a spoon all with a straight face while you sit next to an up and coming TikTok star while her audience "Spends the Day in Ridgewood, QUEENS" with her. read more

Hellbender is a whole vibe and I love it. The atmosphere is vibrant and the food is deliciously spot on. We each ordered the masa pancakes, which had crisp edges soft in the middle like nothing neither of us had before.we shared the egg tostada and the fried Oaxacana cheese...everything was di good..most important the hostess Maddie was so welcoming and the wait staff is exceptional.. read more

My partner and I made a last-minute reservation for a Sunday evening dinner at Hellbender in Ridgewood, Queens, and wow, was it ever worthwhile. The space was nicely laid out - high ceilings, intimate lighting, very pretty. I felt like I was in Manhattan, to be honest. Lily was a phenomenal server - knowledgeable, kind, and easily audible over the crowd. We loved the honeymoon tiki cocktail. The cocorac was a little strong for us. We ordered the fried Oaxacan cheese, which was delicious, and a half dozen oysters for our appetizer. For the main course, my partner ordered the crispy lamb shoulder, which was perfectly seasoned, tender, and divine. I had the black bass, which was a smaller portion, but so delicate and flavorful, especially the creamed corn mole. Dessert didn't disappoint. The blueberry sugar churros were the best churros we've ever had, and the off-menu special tres leches cake was extraordinary. We wrapped up with a carajillo, which is a version of an espresso martini. I cannot wait to go back. read more

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Just as delicious and innovative as I had expected and been hearing! Our stand outs were the heirloom tomato salad, the head-on prawns, and the chicken milanesa. WOW. This restaurant has an incredible concept, demonstrated technique, and is a lucky addition to the neighborhood ! read more

A great bar, with great atmosphere and service. Came here for a few drinks and really enjoyed my time. The Honeymoon drink was delicious and the staff constantly checked in to see if we needed anything. The music was great and everyone was so friendly. Would absolutely come back. read more

Great brunch here! We loved every bite, and everything we saw others get looked amazing as well. Food comes out super fast, except the pancake which is says will take 30 minutes on the menu. I will say the pancakes are the thing everyone talks about, but not my fav, crunchy on the outside and then custardy on the inside which my fiancé loved and didn't think it was overhyped at all. The tostada was excellent and my fav! It was lots of flavors and different textures. Our server was also super friendly and nice. read more

My boyfriend and I came here for New Year's Eve dinner. We enjoyed ourselves. The food was delicious and the music and ambiance was great. We left very full and satisfied! read more

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Excellent brunch! I loved the breakfast tostado so much I tried to recreate it when I returned home from my trip. I will definitely return on my next visit. read more