I found this restaurant scrolling through Instagram and thought we'd give it a try! Went here for date night and the ambiance was so romantic. Low lighting, beautiful glassware, just an all around vibe. They were pretty slow but it was also a Wednesday night. Drinks were amazing and they had a lot of options. I got the Guava Sunset and it was so refreshing (pictured). We also got the ceviche which tasted very fresh and was a good portion for an appetizer. The filet was perfectly cooked and the chimichurri sauce was to die for. I forgot to take a picture of it because we dug in as soon as it landed on the table. Service felt very personable which I enjoyed. They also gave my date a rose at the end of our meal to give to me which I thought was a nice touch. Overall, great first impression and we will definitely be back! Or I may even bring the girlies for a girls night! Side note.. I'm not sure why reviews are so negative, as new restaurants deserve grace while they figure out what works for them and I think we all need to have a little patience and understanding. read more

Valentinas - Entrance - Latin American Near Me - Dallas, Texas

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Came in for Valentine's Day, which required a pre-paid cash deposit, which was weird to me. I've paid deposits for reservations in the past but have never been required to pay in cash. Upon arriving the day of, we were sat immediately. But the remainder of service was pretty slow especially considering they were operating on a pre-fix menu only. Out sever checked in 4x to ask us how our experience was as we were waiting for our appetizer, the queso frito, which is just fried cheese and and guava paste. Unfortunately the steaks didn't come out hot, and I'd say they were barely room temperature. Both our table and the tables next to us had our steaks come out overcooked which was disappointing as well. The ambiance was nice, they had rose pedals on all the tables and a live band playing that was taking request for songs. All in all it was a good experience, but definitely not worth almost $350. Not sure if their regular menu is as pricey, but I would be hesitant to dine here again if it is. read more

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As someone who loves supporting local businesses, it is very difficult to write this review but I hope it helps others and also serves as an opportunity for improvement to management. We loved the concept of a latin steakhouse but unfortunately, this restaurant is not equipped to offer what they are aiming for and much less what they are trying to charge for. With as many restaurants and steakhouses in Dallas, they have LONG ways to go to measure up. This place appears to be a small event venue with a nice bar and a few tables. The concept and prices are similar to other places in town such as "Te Deseo" but with less of an infrastructure. We visited for dinner on a Saturday night. The restaurant was half full when we arrived. We ordered appetizers and drinks and were enjoying our night. Latin music was great, though it was loud and it was difficult to have a conversation. Think club volume but no dancing. I ordered a pisco sour as my drink, which I enjoyed. We also enjoyed our appetizers and were excited for our meals. Unfortunately, after 2+ hours our meals had not been served and majority of the restaurant did not have food at their table. Staff came around occasionally to refill our water cups and let us know the kitchen was backed up but were not able to provide an ETA for our food. There were certain occasions were staff was nowhere to be seen. The service was a huge disappointment for me and would make me very hesitant to recommend this place. I hope they can work on their service and are able to become a positive addition to the latin food scene in Dallas but for now, they have some strong work to do. read more

Amazing food, fantastic service, incredible company, just an all around fantabulous night read more

Valentinas - Latin American Near Me - Dallas, Texas

The ambiance and food were amazing! We enjoyed the lamb lollipops which were well seasoned. The restaurant is reminiscent of treasured fine dining places. This should be added to your "date night" destinations. We thoroughly enjoyed the food, the staff, and the drinks. read more

If you're someone who enjoys visiting Mexico, this restaurant would fit right in with the upscale spots in Polanco or Guadalajara. The atmosphere is vibrant and sophisticated, with the music perfectly setting the tone. The menu features a mix of dishes from Mexico and a Brazilian steakhouse. I kicked things off with the Queso Frito, which instantly transported me back to a favorite restaurant in Mexico City that serves the same appetizer. Next up was the shrimp ceviche, which was outstanding. My only suggestion would be to add a bit more avocado to balance the flavors. For the main course, I went with the Filet Hermoso, a 6oz filet served with rosemary potatoes. And that chimichurri sauce, is so flavorful they should bottle it For dessert, the flan was out of this world--so smooth, it left me wondering if my mom made it. And to top it all off, this is the only steakhouse/cocina in Bishop Arts that offers a full menu until 2 a.m.! read more

I visited Ven Aqui for the first time this evening with my husband and our guest, Charles, and unfortunately, it was a very disappointing experience. From the moment we arrived, we were treated disrespectfully by the manager, Alejandra. We were not addressed appropriately and were made to feel as though we could not afford drinks at the establishment -- which was both insulting and unnecessary. When I asked several times to speak with the owner, Alejandra continued arguing instead of trying to de-escalate the situation. At one point, she even asked my husband to "help her out" because she couldn't manage the conversation herself. This was our first visit, and sadly, it will also be our last. It's unfortunate because we were genuinely looking forward to trying a new local spot, but the unprofessional and unwelcoming attitude completely ruined the evening. read more

Ven Aqui is the best new restaurant in town by far! The staff is extremely warm and inviting the atmosphere is simple and elegant. The music is on point. The food knocks it out of the park! Everything I have tried, and I have been there three times has been phenomenal! The shrimp ceviche is the best in Dallas and the sea bass is the best I've ever had, and I have traveled the world. If you like Mezcal, the El Rey is the bomb! read more

Valentinas - Salmon, Sea Bass, El Rey - Latin American Near Me - Dallas, Texas

Ven Aqui is what happens when a restaurant spends its entire budget on Pinterest décor and absolutely nothing on training, planning, or basic food safety. Yes, the space is cute--congratulations on mastering aesthetics. Unfortunately, that's the only thing this place knows how to execute. Everything else was a masterclass in incompetence. Let's start with the highlight (or lowlight): while eating the salsa, I felt something weird and chewy in my mouth--never a sensation you want during a meal unless you're chewing gum you personally put there. I pulled it out and, surprise, it was a rubber band mixed directly into the food. Not on the plate. Not near the bowl. IN the salsa. This isn't a "whoops" moment; it's a full-blown food safety failure that instantly makes you wonder what other non-edible office supplies are floating around the kitchen. Any confidence in cleanliness evaporated immediately. The drinks were somehow just as embarrassing. The menu proudly advertises a Cadillac margarita with a Grand Marnier topper. Sounds great--except they were "out" and decided, without shame, to substitute Hennessy. That's not a substitution; that's a crime against cocktails. Hennessy has absolutely no business anywhere near a Cadillac margarita, and advertising a premium drink you cannot actually make is misleading at best and lazy at worst. Then came the queso--because what's a Tex-Mex restaurant without queso? Apparently one that hadn't decided whether to make it yet. Despite being open for over two hours, the server had to "check if it was ready." Queso isn't a seasonal special or a last-minute prep item. If your queso status is questionable mid-service, something has gone very wrong behind the scenes. And finally, the mamposteado rice. Listed on the menu. Recommended by the server. Completely nonexistent. Not "sold out"--never prepared. The beans had just been put on to cook. That's not running out; that's failing Restaurant 101. If your menu items require advance preparation and you didn't prepare them, you are simply not ready to be open. Ven Aqui is a glossy, Instagram-friendly façade masking a kitchen that's disorganized, unprepared, and frankly unsafe. Cute walls do not excuse rubber bands in food, fake menu offerings, missing staples, or a staff scrambling to figure out what actually exists. This place looks good in photos, but from an execution, honesty, and food safety standpoint, it has absolutely no business operating like this. I won't be back, and anyone who values basic dining standards should think twice before walking through those doors. read more

We should have turned around and left when we walked in and the place was practically empty. There's a reason why: the cocktails are mediocre and the food quality is just so-so. If they had put as much effort into those two most important facets as they did the decor we wouldn't be writing this review. The cost definitely doesn't justify the substandard fare as the prices are at a level with other local Latin restaurants with superior offerings. The menu is limited and the portions are small. When we had a legitimate issue, the manager came to our table and was smug and indifferent and she completely failed to properly address it. It wasn't unreasonable and could have easily been rectified. We felt unwelcome and "Vamos" would be a more appropriate name for this place. The only redeeming aspect was the server, who was very personable and efficient given what he had to work with. We won't be going back and we suspect many others have already made that decision. Their days are numbered unless some major changes are implemented, but I wouldn't hold my breath... read more

We went on a Sunday evening around 7pm. Parking: You'll most likely have to park across the street in a paid parking lot. Parking at no cost is very, very limited. Ambiance: it is dark, intimate. Latin music playing on the speaker. There were about 2 other tables when we got there but eventually were the only ones in there. Food: The food is good. Took a while for the food to come out, considering it was not busy at all. We asked for sliders and they said they would have to prepare them and it would take an hour for us to get them. We were there over 2 hours after opening, not sure why they would take that long to be prepared. Staff: Staff was not rude but they were not very welcoming. No smiles, almost like they didn't want to be there. The chef came around and introduced himself which was the only nice touch. There are much better steakhouses in Dallas. read more

Bishop Arts' newest restaurant! We had a great time celebrating my birthday at Ven Aquí Cocina! The food was amazing (chef's kiss)! We were there on Sunday evening, it was relaxing and they had good music on the background! Definitely want to go back! read more

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Where to begin? From the moment we walked through the door, we knew we were in for something special. The atmosphere was cool- dimly lit, but not too dark, romantic table settings, and a very attentive staff. Everyone waited on us hand and foot. We were greeted by Mau, the head chef, who told us our server, JC, would be tight with us. JC gave us incredible service, was super friendly and great for recommendations. He started us in with some complimentary chips and salsa, which was smoky and not too spicy for my wife. Our bartender, Lorenzo, made me a couple of outstanding Old Fashioneds, and my wife said her Watermelon Margarita was the perfect drink for a warm evening. For appetizers, we ordered the 'Riviera Guac' and 'Queso Frito'. We also shared a delicious ceviche. My favorite was hands down the Queso Frito, but the ceviche was fantastic, as well. Filling up on appetizers, we opted to split the 'La Carne', which was a good choice because the portions were very generous. We added a side of their Brussels sprouts, which was to die for. Everything about this place was so so good. We're absolutely loved our experience, and are so excited to go back again! Do yourself a favor and pay Ven Aqui a visit. You definitely won't be disappointed. read more

Funky little gem tucked away on Davis. Food was delicious, especially the tacos. Ceviche was solid, as was the guac. Had the beef and chicken quesadillas, which had a ton of cheese; different than most Mexican cheeses. We'll definitely come back to try their steaks and lambchops read more

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Our bartender Sophia was amazingggg! Super friendly, relatable, and such a vibe! She was very knowledgeable on how to make drinks and gave us amazing recommendations. For our first time here--the atmosphere was elegant and upscale looking. Would come back! read more

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The food was amazing and the atmosphere was out of this world.... Would definitely go back. read more

Valentinas - Latin American Near Me - Dallas, Texas

Hidden and sexy. Food is a beautiful fusion of Latin, my fav would have to be the Puerto Rican influence of the chef. Owner provided wonderful service but I would recommend the wait staff provide more upscale professional service instead of bottle girl vibes. read more

Valentinas - Shrimp - Latin American Near Me - Dallas, Texas

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Great new hip restaurant with a Latin flare tucked away in the bishop arts district. It is a smaller place, so reservations are recommended. Food and service were both great. read more

Top notch service at the bar and table. Menu is excellent. Cocktails were delightful - balanced, enough spirit, well finished, and served in high end glassware. Everything about Ven Aqui feels well thought out and executed nicely. The decor is high end without feeling pretentious. The ladies bathroom is... beautiful. This is my third visit and will definitely be a regular here. Great for a table for two and very accommodating for our group of 12. Lovely hidden gem to our neighborhood :) read more

We had high hopes for this place, but unfortunately, we were left disappointed. The atmosphere is great--very charming--and the food was good, but the service really let it down. Our waitress was unprofessional, making a rude comment about one of her coworkers, using foul language which i don't think is appropriate, especially for that type of restaurant. She also implied that us ordering an appetizer would be better for her because she'd make more money. To make matters worse, we noticed an overcharge on the bill: $14 more for a dish and an extra $2 for a Tajín rim on our drink (Why?? A rim should be included not charged extra for). We were confused, but the manager did adjust the bill and gave us a discount, which we appreciated. Still, it didn't leave a good impression, especially with the price mismatch from the bill vs the menu. Not sure if the waitress was trying to pocket extra money, but it was definitely a red flag. We don't know if we'll return or recommend it, but if you decide to check it out, definitely make sure to double-check your bill. read more

Valentinas - Latin American Near Me - Dallas, Texas

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I was excited to visit Ven Aquí after seeing it promoted on Instagram, but unfortunately, it was disappointing. The atmosphere was nice, but the portion sizes were not as expected for the price, and the ceviche wasn't fresh. Drinks were overpriced and didn't match the quality expected. I shared my feedback during the visit, but it felt disregarded. Just down the street, I had one appetizer, two plates, and four drinks at another restaurant for the same price--and the food there was truly amazing. It was an experience. As someone born and raised in the area, I see the vision, but sadly, it's not worth it. Save your hard-earned money. I really hope Ven Aquí improves their quality, because right now, it doesn't offer the value or experience guests deserve. read more

Amazing local steakhouse. Came for Valentine's Day and they had a fixed 4 course menu. EVERYTHING was amazing from their fresh guacamole, tiger shrimp, house made Caesar, a steak cooked to perfection and tres leches cake. Great vibe with DJ that keeps it fun but classy. Drinks were delicious and not over priced. Definitely found my new spot for steaks in the neighborhood without the drive to north Dallas. Kent was a welcoming and gracious host that made us feel valued and part of the family. read more

Have been here multiple times because I can't get enough of La Carne. Lamb and sea bass have been great but I have gotten to the point where I order a queso frita with the guava to have as an appetizer and La Carne as the entree. Had the flan last night and it was really good (almost better than what my mom makes at home and we are from Puerto Rico). The weekends are more of a scene with the music and crowd coming in post dinner time to the bar while the weekday is a great time for a relaxing intimate dinner. The build out is really nice so the vibe is in line with a swanky spot but tucked in bishop arts. Service was amazing too so not sure why yelp wont let me highlight this with food and ambience. read more

I'll keep this short and sweet (10 minutes later). If you want a quality cut of steak, cooked to perfection, no need to cross the Trinity River. Yes, is't a different atmosphere from Al Bernat's or Perry's. It's a small, dark garage converted into a high end statehouse with plush finishes and a DJ who creates a less pretentious vibe which adds to its charm. Visit this gem and you'll see that the fare is worthy a spot in your steakhouse/date night rotation. BTW...JC (waiter AND bartender) is the most genuine and attentive team member, amplifying an already amazing experience and taking it to the next level. read more

This one is special. A little bit of a speakeasy vibe. No signage. Great staff and ambiance. No signage. Call if you are going, they might need to let you in. read more