Ristra’s Victorian building captures New Mexico’s spirit. Dine in one of the serene rooms, or our elegant full bar.
"This popular restaurant turns out clearly presented, powerful flavored food that draws on the cuisines of both France and the Southwest,” – Gourmet Magazine.
“America’s top restaurant.” “The spot for excellent, imaginative cuisine. Excellent service plus a sophisticated setting with a wonderful patio.” – Zagat. Featured in Bon Appétit, Travel + Leisure, and New York Times plus the prestigious James Beard Foundation.
"The food was excellent as well as the service. The personalized service provided our group of 4 with a fine dining experience without the formality or stuffiness of a formal atmosphere or formal expectations."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"Great food, great service. I've always loved lunch there, but this was the first time for dinner. Our group of four shared everything and had no complaints."
Dined on 04/18/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"Went to Ristra on a Monday night. We chose to sit at the bar but there really weren't more than 2-3 other groups of people there. The food was excellent, we had the fig and arugula salad, chipotle mussels, and the seabass with celery root. The bartender, Tomas, was great to talk to and very friendly. They have a great bar with cocktails and wine, unfortunately there beer menu is very lacking. They only had 4 beers. This was my first time dining at Ristra and we will definitely be back."
Dined on 04/15/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Ristra offers a mellow, understated setting to complement their delicious, carefully prepared food. The dining room and bar are small and intimate, the garden patio a nice option for warm weather. The chef's expertise reflects a French culinary sensibility: creative flavor parings and refined cooking techniques that result in clean, balanced dishes. Local and seasonal ingredients are highlighted. The vegetarian options are limited but the service was so good that I imagine they would accommodate a diner with special preferences. Ristra offers a fine dining experience that goes beyond the Santa Fe norm."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"In a sea of constantly fluctuating Santa Fe restaurants, Ristra is bedrock for local haute cuisine. The restaurant harbors a cast of regular foodies, some famous, some simply just characters, who keep coming back for the outstanding service, ambience and spot on plates. During my last meal there, the owner cared enough to check-in on me as well as other patrons and my Irish server sparked my interest with an experimental cocktail he'd been working on... This is a local establishment with some soul. Other restaurants in Santa Fe offer fine dining, yet lack the warmth that Ristra easily conveys. The plates (often local fare) arrive in a timely fashion, perfectly cooked... I will surely return."
Dined on 04/01/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic
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"Food was above average. Waitstaff was too pretensious for our taste...affecting a french accent while taking our order and serving only to be heard with no accent later in the bar. The place is tiny. Entrance is not well marked and at the back of the building, which is an old house."
Dined on 03/27/2013
2006
Special Features: special occasion
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"I have always enjoyed dining at Ristra. This time was no exception. I opted to try something new to me on the menu: the sea scallops encrusted with fennel seed and quinoa, and was, again, was delighted.
I also recommend giving their wine list a try."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic
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"One of our favorite restaurants! We visited Ristra during Santa Fe Restaurant week! It was busy and energetic! The food was absolutely wonderful! Service was great, although a bit slow due to the large crowds! This is a gem!"
Dined on 03/02/2013
2009
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"While in Santa Fe during Restaurant Week, Ristra was recommended to us by a couple who had dined there. On all counts, Ristra is a fine choice for fine dining. Our waiter, Nathan, was very attentive and guided us through the menu and meal with aplomb. The signature dish is Elk Tenderloin, and it is delicious. Portions are generous. If you go, make reservations,especially on weekends, and enter the restaurant through the main doors at the back of the former house. Most of the parking is at the back."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, special occasion
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"All four of us were "first timers" and went for restaurant week. The menu choices were fabulous and all of us said we would definitely return. The wait staff was incredible as well. We had a perfect evening. Thank you!"
Dined on 03/02/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic
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"We visited Ristra during restaurant week, and their menu was very appealing. All of our choices were delicious and nice presentation. The service was great and the smaller rooms for dining made for nice ambiance and lower lighting for romance! We would recommend Ristra and will likely visit again when in the Santa Fe area."
Dined on 03/03/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic
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"We have dined at Ristra several time in the past and the meals have always been great. This time was no exception, we will definitely be back. One of Santa Fe's best."
Dined on 03/03/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Ristra is my favorite restaurant in Santa Fe. The sea bass is awesome, and Ristra's frozen nougat dessert is delicious. I also loved the hazelnut choux they featured for restaurant week. Ristra is expensive, but the food is really, really delicious."
Dined on 03/03/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"Overall the food and service were very good but its time for the owner to invest some money to improve the decor and seating arrangements, of this small old house, to match the caliber of the food and service."
Dined on 02/28/2013
2012
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"Restaurant week lunch. Had the calamari which was wonderful. Followed that with fish and chips, also wonderful. Great experience. Went back for dinner a day later and found dinner was just as good."
Dined on 02/26/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch
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"We had the musseles and a bibb salad for our first course. Both were perfect. For entrees we choose the braised lamb shank and the seared sea bass. We finished every bite and cleaned the plates with the sourdough bread. The food and the service were both excelant. We will be going back soon."
Dined on 02/27/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic
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"Even though we read unfavorable reviews about Ristra we wanted to give it a chance. We enjoyed a drink at the bar. The staff was nice and drinks good. Edward the maitre' welcomed us warmly. The restaurant is charming, our server was not. When my husband told our waiter, David that he did not order a salad that was served he disagreed! This is unacceptable and we were taken by surprise. My husband had a large salad with beets for lunch and the salad that was served was a beet salad. For a waiter to question a guest is not only rude but unprofessional. Sadly the Halibut tasted off with a dry paprika risotto and a watery sauce. My scallops had sand in them so they had not been rinsed properly. We hope this revieiw will help management."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2008
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"The service was excepcional and the waiter and helper outstanding. I am sorry I do not recall their names but they were the only ones on 2/18/2013.- The food was excelent and specially the Foia Grass a delightful gourmet delicacy. The Elk tenderloin was cooked to perfection making the dinner very special. Thank you very much, Jorge Lubary"
Dined on 02/18/2013
2013
Special Features: late-night find, notable wine list, romantic
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"The waiter was excellent, and paired wine with each course quite well. The wine list is fairly priced, with nice selections. The food was the most disappointing part. My "medium-rare" filet mignon was barely pink inside with a bit of char on the outside. The green chile mashed potatoes were definitely the highlight. My partner's chile relleno lacked any exciting flavor. Overall, drinks, sides, appetizers, and desserts are quite delicious, but main courses were less than good."
Dined on 02/13/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"I recently ate at the bar at Ristra Restaurant--I had their calamari--IT IS THE BEST I HAVE EVER EATEN--And I have lived in many coastal towns & eaten in many restaurants--None even comes close to that served by Ristra--It is light, fluffy, non-oily & absolutely delicious!--ADDICTIVE--I ate an order there & took two orders to go, for home-- As always, the service was impeccable-- The ambiance is unbeatable--And have you ever seen such gorgeous lighting treatments?-- Eric Lamalle and his fabulous staff are to be commended for providing such a fantastic environment in which folks can dine in luxury--"
Dined on 02/13/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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"We have eaten here a few times, as we live close by. With out-of-town relatives seeking a great meal, our decision was a simple one. Ristra does not disappoint."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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"Ristra is set in a marvelously repurposed Victorian home and blends the uniqueness of European cuisine with subtle Southwestern style. French food is best accomplished by the French, and Ristra does not disappoint here. Chef Xavier Grenet employed his French expertise to perfection on all dishes: The mussels were a perfect starter and surprisingly fresh for being in a landlocked state, and tasted like we were on the Riveria; The duck breast was one of the best I have had--even better than many restaurants in New York; My companion had the elk and she was absolutely impressed. Service was prompt, knowledgeable, professional, with just the right amount of personableness. The wine list was an outstanding balance between new and old world."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Ristra never disappoints. Even when there is a glitch,as there was this time (one entree was luke warm at best), the problem was taken care of promptly and professionally. Food and service were excellent."
Dined on 02/08/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"3rd and last try at this restaurant. Staff is just not with it. The bar was very busy and the dining room suffers from it. Waited forever for a wait person. To to long to get a glass of wine. The food was, on all three occasions, barely acceptable. At Ristra's prices there is no reason for it."
Dined on 02/01/2013
2010
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