Our new restaurant in the heart of downtown New Haven serves extraordinary Latin-influenced cuisine by the proprietor; renowned chef, teacher and cookbook author, Rafael Palomino. Along with traditional Tapas, his signature dishes include Seafood Paella and Dulce de Leche Cheesecake
and a special Late Night Menu. The New Haven Advocate raves: “The warm, human buzz in the
two-floor-high space plays off the colors and the open kitchen to create an emulsion of atmosphere that is more than the sum of its parts.”
"We had the prix fixe lunch and everything was delicious! Shrimp and Corn Chowder, skirt steak empanada, duck quesadilla and steak sandwich. No complaints at all!"
Dined on 5/14/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Went on a Monday so it was quiet, need to see what it is like on the weekends. Service was very good, our waitress was pleasant and attending but lacked a spark so I can't give an excellent rating. Servers and bus crew were amazing. Food was excellent, we ordered a few tapas, drinks and desserts. Highly recommend mojitos, margaritas, guacamole and duck quesadillas."
Dined on 5/13/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Went for Mother's Day Brunch. The Brunch coast 50% more than their normal Sunday Brunch and only offered about 70% of the "normal" brunch menu. The food ranged from just OK to bland, very small portions and rushed. The restaurant was half full but we had to put our dessert order in when we received our entrees. There were only two choices, sherbert or flan. Even with the extremely limited menu the waiter had to come back twice to inform us that what we ordered was not offered. Reading other reviews it seems very hit or miss eating here."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"We arrived promptly for our 6:15 reservation, two parties were in front of us waiting to be seated. The host spent over 10 minutes trying to find seating for these two parties without even asking for our name. Once we were seated our server arrived with menu's however, it again took over 10 minutes to get bread and water. Had to ask our server once he returned with bar drinks to please bring water (the bread had finally arrived at that time but we couldn't eat with nothing to wash it down). We then asked the server his recommendation, for which he had to read the menu over our shoulder and say the Bass, we asked if he liked it and he said he had never had it. Anyhow, LOVED the food we did get, but the service STUNK!!"
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, vibrant bar scene, romantic, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, hot spot, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Overall experience was great - Excellent place to eat before a show, we will definitely go back! For apps - the duck quesadilla was outstanding and the tuna tacos were small but delicious. Ceviche was pretty standard (good but nothing to write home about). For dinner - Currasco was amazing but the and the Camarones y Vieras was the best dish of the night - WOW. Service was good, only reason I put a 4 instead of a 5 was we had to ask for the bill twice (we were running off to a show and needed to leave quickly)."
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Brought a friend from out of state here this past weekend. We had the skirt steak for dinner. Shared a shusi grade tuna taco and quesidia. The food was outstanding. Our waiter was fabulous. Definitely will recommend"
Dined on 04/27/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"We had the duck quesadilla and sirloin empanadas as appetizers - both were delicious. Then we had the pork tenderloin, which was very good (didn't blow me away, but still enjoyable), and the vegetarian paella, which was just okay - too many vegetables proportionately to the rice. Overall, though, a very good experience, and we will certainly be return in the future."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2008
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"The food overall was very good, though the Gambas al Ajillo was served more in a broth than the usual garlic laced olive oil that it the shrimp were sautéed in. There this was a very insipid dish. The other dishes were good and we would go back again. The ambiance was just right…not too much noise, but enough to make it interesting. Great colors on the walls."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2009
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"My wife and I had a great experience at Pacifico. The food was excellent. The only issue was it was very busy and we felt a little bit rushed. Overall though it was a good experience."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Very good food. Well presented. Special Restaurant Week fixed price menu had some diverse choices, with the exception of desserts. Servers were friendly and helpful."
Dined on 04/24/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for lunch
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"We dined on a Tuesday night during restaurant week. It was a 3 course prix fix for $32. Lots of choices, something for everyone. Our table ordered crab croquettes and quesadillas for our apps-delicious! Entrees ordered were honey glazed salmon, seafood paella and bacon wrapped pork tenderloin-also excellent! You will not be disappointed at this restaurant."
Dined on 04/23/2013
2007
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"We went for dinner after a show. The place was crowded. We were given a table upstairs which was good. Ten minutes after ordering drinks the server came to us to take our order. I mentioned that we hadn't even gotten the drinks yet. She left and after at least another 5 minutes, she came back with only one. She had forgotten my wife's. It was busy but my only real problem was that this was another person who doesn't write anything down. Many servers 'think they can'- most can't- without problems. There is nothing wrong with writing down an order."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2009
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Food was very good. It was restaurant week so it was only a price fix menu which was disappointing.The service was terrible, it took 15 minutes for a waiter to approach us. We were going to a play and had to take our dessert to go and run to the theater. nfortunate because the food was good good but will not return because of service."
Dined on 04/21/2013
2007
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Really disappointing experience! Our group of 3 went for a pre-show dinner on the first night of Restaurant Week. Service was deplorable -- long wait for drinks and food, even after we informed them of our time constraint; when food finally arrived, some dishes were cold; though we ordered sorbet for dessert, some sort of coconut ice cream was served; when the bill finally arrived we were charged for an extra drink. I might chalk it up to a chance occurrence, but watching other tables have similar issues (some to the point of refusing late entrees or leaving) makes me believe there is a breakdown in their system. I'll be sctratching this place off the list of great New Haven restaurants!"
Dined on 04/21/2013
2005
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"I would recommended Pacifico to others on certain conditions. The tapas portion was very small -as it is supposed to be- but too small for the price. As an entree, I ordered the paella palomino which was excellent and able to be shared with another diner. The service was excellent, fast, and was very accomodating for special requests. If it weren't for the cost of the food and drinks (happy hour is only at the bar) I would try it again, but too expensive for this place to be on my regular list."
Dined on 04/19/2013
2012
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"I have already started recommending Pacifico to all of my friends in the New Haven area. The food looked like a work of art and everything my group ordered was fantastic. The inside was vibrant and inviting, and all of the people who helped my group were friendly. I hope to be back again!"
Dined on 04/17/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, hot spot
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"The $20 Sunday price fixe brunch is a very good deal The food was good, although portions were a little on the small-side. For example, the shrimp cerviche appetizer had a total of three small- to medium-sized shrimp. Service was also very slow. My wife and I had long waits for water refills and delivery of food, even though the restaurant had few other people at the time."
Dined on 04/14/2013
2010
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Food was very good. Service almost too much. Our waiter checked in a few too many times. He seemed very concerned that our food wasn't arriving faster, we were not.A bit too noisy for me, we were there for dinner but also to catch up. It was hard to hear."
Dined on 04/05/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, hot spot
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"I had a celebratory dinner with my boyfriend and it was perfect from start to finish. We started at the bar with some of the mojitos cocktails - which were amazing. The bartenders were friendly and helpful when we asked questions about the mixology of the drinks. We sat down to dinner and were greeted by the manager and a very friendly waiter who gave us time to pace ourselves as we ordered . The ceviche is not to be missed, nor is the crab cake and the grilled tuna if it is a special that evening. We had a pitcher of the sangria tinta - which was fantastic. It is a romantic place that I suggest for a special date night."
Dined on 03/05/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"This was our second time and it was just as good. We had 4 tapas and 1 entree to split. It was the perfect amount of food plus we had dessert. The pomegranate sangria was a nice balance of bitter and sweet. I loved the port wine they gave us after dinner as a complimentary drink."
Dined on 03/05/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Extremely clean, excellent service, food is always delicious. I go here about twice a month and have yet to have any complaints.Food and drinks are always delicious and freshly prepared."
Dined on 03/05/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"We were delighted to find this restaurant, referred by a friend. I was glad that they had full plates along with Tapas for dinner. The wonderful windows allowed alot of cold air and so it was lucky that the restaurant was not full and we could sit away from them. That was the only reason that I gave 4 instead of 5 stars for ambience. It is a a restaurant that has a bar with subdued music (rare and wonderful). All of us really enjoyed our dinners. Alot of seafood in different preparations. I would go back very happily. Also convenient to a parking garage accross the street!"
Dined on 03/03/2013
2008
Special Features: neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Food was ok, not as good at sister restaurant - Sonoro. Waiter was very good but serving staff needed more training. Did not offer water, brought out my meal while I was only half way with appetizers . Served me before my date - what ever happened to ladies first. RP needs to get some training done.Menus needs a make over old and torn apart. The spot was quite busy - noisy maybe the old faithfuls. Alex from Sonoro and now BL - go teach them how it's done."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2007
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"It was good, but unfortunately the skirt steak was well done instead of medium as requested. Not quite up to their usual standards but maybe it was an off night."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2006
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, neighborhood gem
Share:
-1point
0of1voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"This was our second time . The first time we went for Brunch. We met friends for dinner. This was our friends first time. They absolutely loved the atmosphere and continued to say how they enjoyed the experience . We all enjoyed our entrees of red snapper, Chilean bass and jambalaya. My husband was disappointed with the ceviche Tapas. He said it didn't have much substance but mostly juice. He said the oyster Tapas was ok. Another thing we like about the restaurant is that there is plenty of parking available we would definitely go again ."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2010
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"One of my favoite spots in New Haven. Always a friendly staff and fantastic food. Plenty of options for your group, too. Fun bar on first, private or group dining upstairs. The food is fresh and delicious and drinks great."
Dined on 02/21/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Pacifico has been nothing but fabulous. I've gone there at least five times now, and every time has been a wonderful experience. The waiters are very friendly, the food is delicious (you can't go wrong with their crabcakes!), and the vibe is very positive. I last went with my girlfriend on Valentine's Day, and the pre-fixe meal was phenomenal. Pacifico is the place to go."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2012
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem, romantic
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"I've attended Pacifico before on a regular night, that's why I made a reservation for Valentine's dinner. It was the worst idea for a special occasion. It had a menu that had I read my email a bit more careful, I wouldn't go there after finding out they had altered it for Valentine's dinner. We were litetally still hungry. It was too booked. We were literally back to back with other parties. And then to top off the awful experience we were having, they had a band that wasn't appropriate for the evening and a stomping dancer. If you wanted a romantic evening with your loved one, that wasn't happening that night! It was too loud, too crowded. I wish next time Pacifico takes into consideration EVERYONE attending their restaurant in the future."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2013
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Our meals were less than average. We met friends who drove more than an hour to meet us. The meals were quite a dissappointment making me think we should have stayed home for dinner. It would have been closer for our guests and the food would have been much better. We had fish tacos with very soggy shells and average taste. I tasted very little duck in my quesadilla and the crab cakes were below par. We arrived with high expectations and left saying we will never come back."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2013
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Loved my dinner, but disappointed in how long it took. We had a 6pm reservation. Order was placed by 6:15p. Never were served until 7pm. Too long of a wait."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2013
Special Features: hot spot
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"I ordered the salmon and was not used to a sweet dish-this is a personal taste. the portion was petite. I give my mal a B or B- . I did enjoy booking on line and although it was crowded, I found the service to be fine."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, late-night find, great for lunch, hot spot
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"A last minute decision to have dinner at Pacifico with my daughter. We couldn't get into our favorite restaurant and decided to try someplace new. So glad we did! The food is fantastic, the service outstanding and the decor energetic. We couldn't decide what to order with so many wonderful choices and opted to share several of the tapas dishes with a pitcher of sangria. Will definitely put this on my list of 'go-to' places in New Haven!"
Dined on 02/02/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies
Share:
0points
0of0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Sadly Pacifico which has been among my most favorites in New Haven has slipped greatly in the food and sevice that I have received and come to espect. I ahve been a regular supporter for 4 years but the last two times I have beenthere the food has not been up to par..in fact it has been bad! My favorite pork dish wrapped in bacon had no bacon and half way thru our meal the waitress said she had been reassigned and the next waitress acted like we had been shoved on her. I do not know what has happened and I will go one more time before I give up on it, but I cannot believe what has happened. Perhaps it has changed hands I don't know, but I will miss it as a favorite meeting place in New Haven if it does not imporve the next time I go"
Dined on 01/22/2013
2011
Special Features: neighborhood gem
Share:
-1point
0of1voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
"Whenever we are in New Haven, we love to go to this restaurant. The food is creative and beautifully prepared. The service is always very good, the folks are helpful with suggestions and friendly. I liked that the waiter let me try a wine. I didn't even ask for the test taste. I recently had the salmon dish that has a hint of vanilla in a wine sauce. It maybe the best salmon dish I have ever had. It was cooked perfectly to my wishes. My husband had the skirt steak that he enjoyed tremendously. The desserts too were not disappointing . If you go, you will enjoy the experience."
Dined on 01/19/2013
2009
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
Share:
+1point
1of1voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.