Santacafe

I got a reservation for our family Christmas dinner with Open Table, and for the most part it was a great experience. It was a Prix Fix menu for Christmas Day. The bartender welcomed my Mom and I and put on the Warriors game at my request, before seating the rest of our party when they arrived.
I had the Rack of Lamb, which was good, but a bit rarer than I had requested. The favorite part of the meal overall was the dessert! My sister-​in-​law and I both got the Mexican chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream– VERY good!
The only critiques I have are that the menu prices were vastly exorbitant, given the overall quality of presentation of the dishes. My mom’s game hen was also notably good.
As a culinary assistant, one thing that stands out to me, is the uneven flow of the courses. The busboys were wonderful in keeping the water glasses filled. and yes it was busy, but my sister-​in-​law had to have her entrée sent back since it wasn’t cooked enough. By the time she got it back, everyone else at the table was nearly finished with their dishes. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable, but the pacing of the courses could use some improvement.
The atmosphere was friendly and relaxed.
The wine list was fairly impressive, but there needs to be more balance of wines from Sonoma County, versus Napa (and yes I do live in Sonoma County) and perhaps more from the Central coast as well.
Overall, it was a nice family dinner, but not at the price stated on the menu.
I visit Santa Fe fairly often, so I do want to check out a lunch on the patio with a non-​holiday menu.

Santa Café has always been a favorite of ours from the first time we visited Santa Fe. We eat there every time we come and take friends. I was surprised to see that it didn’t have four stars, but after eating there last night, I’m not surprised. We were really disappointed. I gave it 3 stars because my husbands food was very good as always. Mine was not that great. I had the Green Chile Posole Soup and it was extremely salty. I had a $ 7 salad and all it was, was a plate full of lettuce and a bland dressing. I had had a big lunch and wasn’t very hungry. He never offered us anymore bread with our dinner. The service was marginal. Our waiter had a snobby attitude. He was more attentive to a table of four who must have been locals because he called them by name. We got there early to have a drink at the bar, but they weren’t busy and our table was ready so we sat at our table and ordered a drink. The waiter seemed to be rushing us to order and we explained that we wanted to sit and visit and have our drink. He immediately brought us bread. When we did order, they forgot my husbands salad. The waiter tried to sell us a $ 150 bottle of wine. We declined because we get wine from several wine clubs from Sonoma and Napa and would never pay $ 150 for wine in a restaurant. After, we declined, that is when his attitude changed toward us. I will probably give it another chance because we love to sit on the patio in the summer. I also need to mention that we rented a house in Santa Fe this past summer and brought our son and his girlfriend there. She got food poisoning after eating there that night. We still decided to go back.

We experienced Shockingly poor service while having dinner at the bar the other evening. It seems this place has lost its personal touch. The front of house staff didn’t even notice when we left.

Love to go here for Sunday brunch. Has a nice outdoor café. The service can sometimes be a little slow, but the food is great and worth the price.

Very disappointed with my visit here. I had heard great things. I ordered the salmon and split it with my mother since she wasn’t very hungry, and both of us got food poisoning from it!!! Needless to say, the rest of our Christmas trip has been ruined.

Christmas time and we walked in with no reservation and they helped get us a table. The restaurant was packed. Everyone could not have been nicer. Now, for the best part… the meal was amazing! Thank you for a memorable meal! What a great way to start our trip!

Great lunch spot in SF. Had the fish and chips and tried my dad’s meatloaf sandwich. Both excellent but the meatloaf may have been the best.
Can be a little spendy, but lunch is more reasonable. Wine selection ample as well.

What a beautiful place. Our native NM friend wanted us to try this place so we had desert and were blown away by the friendliness, the beautiful Blanca dining room, the simple and elegant skulls on the wall. The lighting was magnificent for antler shadows. Then there were the deserts, The pumpkin bread pudding was light, not too sweet and served with sprinkling of cinnamon and whipped cream. The chocolate cake with ice cream was rich and very satisfying. Both are enough to share. We made reservations for a full lunch.

Awesome place! Sitting on the patio, Sunday Brunch, watching the beautiful ladies in their hats, chilling to mamosas, calamari (which, BTW, is the absolute Best in Santa Fe IMHO) and their out of this world chicken salad is the highlight of my week. Fair warning, it can get just a bit tight inside. It’s an older building and is full of rooms. Makes it kind of close, but in no way uncomfortable unless you’re in a wheelchair. Oh, and the manager is super special and bends over backward to make you feel right at home. Wonderful!

We had poor experience with the hostess. We were at out table waiting for friends to arrive when 15 min into reservations she came over to ask if the people in our party were showing up. We said we tried to call them but were uncertain what happen. They are very reliable and prompt people. She said we would need to eat within the hour or move to another table. She was rude and hostile. We had just ordered cocktails. By the way all the other tables were empty. We love Santacafe the wait staff and food are excellent but this woman on Thursday night made us lose our appetite and not want to spend our money there. So we spent our money that night down the street. Work on your attitude. Oh and she stepped in front of us on the way out like she wanted to rehash the issue. Uggh just so disappointing.

Most disappointing visit out of a dozen or so over the last 25 years. Not the same place it once was. Arrogant waitperson mumbled out the specials in the noisy room then acted put out because he was asked to repeat them. Ribeye was horrible. Might have been all of a half inch thick! It was tough and grisly. Steak knife must have been left over from our first visit in 1990.
Bus people were very courteous, attentive and polite.
Dessert was excellent. Wine choices good.
Fading from the Santa Fe scene or at least its former level of excellence?

I visit Santa Fe a few times a year and have been to Santacafe a few times. Yesterday I recommended we eat there for dinner and oh my, what a let down and frankly a little embarrassing. Two of us ordered the rib eye dinner with Pomme frites. The steak was very thin, very fatty and grisly. The Pomme frites were thin straws and extremely greasy. A bad meal. And now I’m subject to teasing from my dinner companions on my poor choice.

Chef Fernando Ruiz will tickle your taste buds at The Santa Café!!! I own The Reel Life here in Santa Fe, and when it comes to recommendations for my clients this place is at the TOP! The most amazing food I have put my lips around here in town.

Attentive service on a busy Saturday night. Sat indoors to avoid the rain and lucked out by having the x– bar guy as our waiter. Informed discussion of available wines — some not on the printed list.
Very good food — steaks; beet salad; bisque. Minor quibble: why serve matchstick fries that can’t be eaten with a fork?

Disappointed…

Had a delightful lunch here in the very pleasant courtyard. Ally served us with just enough attention and lots of good humour. My partner had the pasta special — a perfect light linguini — and I had a lovey fresh chicken salad. All topped off with a cry good bottle of Sancerre. Definitely worth a visit!

Somewhat disappointing. A nice patio restaurant. The four of us mixed it up. One had a margarita, she did not like it. Too tart and tequila had an off taste. It was redone, not much better. The rest of the party had wine and an espresso martini which were good. For food, the curry chicken salad and bacon, lettuce and tomato was enjoyed. The lobster roll and pome frites, was not so good. At $ 20 you would expect better. The lobster roll, lacked lobster and flavor. The little bit of lobster, was small bits of leg meat. The potato sticks were very dry and off putting. It was sad. The dessert of chocolate mouse was very good. Our waitress, though sweet, seemed inattentive, she forgot to get our drinks, until after the meal was delivered. A roller coaster experience. Thanks for reading. The Bike Chaplain

While in Santa Fe, I had the chance to sample quite a few restaurants, Compound, Restaurant Martin etc… this little place stood out. Santa café is one of the best you can find. Had lunch here, the salads were great, margaritas creatively mixed, desserts delicious. For anyone visiting this is a must place to stop for a meal while you are browsing the art galleries or boutiques on canyon road.

I had a lovely dinner on the nicely shaded patio under a fancy tent with white Christmas lights. Both of my dishes were well executed, beautiful, elegant, and unique takes on standard dishes: arugula salad with a lightly breaded and fried disk of goat cheese, and grilled peaches; and lamb chops over a bed of dill and yoghurt dipped cucumber slices, and snap peas. It was a fabulous, refined dining experience.
I’m a little surprised to see all the mediocre reviews, but perhaps I simply caught it on a great night.
Prices are steep, at $ 20 – 35 for most entrees. The ribeye is quite large (though thin) and the lamb is small considering the price. Still, I’d return for a special occasion.
And finally, there appears to be a deep well covered over in glass on the floor inside which made me feel like I was above ancient roman ruins.

Used to w my favorite restaurant in Santa Fe until tonight ! Omg! The worst experience EVER! Bartender, Cody, beyond rude and bad attitude. Owner a complete out of control psychopath! Mitch the maitre’d who was just there Sunday is gone and best bartender, Tommy wasn’t there.
NIGHTMARE ! I wouldn’t step foot in there to save my life!