Cafe Pasqual's Review

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Cafe Pasqual's

Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.0/5

Fodor's Review:

This cheerful cubbyhole dishes up Southwestern and Nuevo Latino specialties for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Don't be discouraged by lines out in front—it's worth the wait. The culinary muse behind it all is Katharine Kagel, who for more than 25 years has been introducing specialties like buttermilk biscuits with sage-bacon gravy, smoked-trout hash, and poached eggs to diners. Dinner is a more formal affair: char-grilled lamb with pomegranate-molasses glaze, steamed sugar-snap peas, and pan-seared potato cakes is a pleasure; the kicky starter of spicy Vietnamese squid salad with tamarind, garlic, and tomato over arugula is also fantastic. Mexican folk art and colorful tiles and murals by Oaxacan artist Leovigildo Martinez create a festive atmosphere. Try the communal table if you want to be seated in a hurry, although you should still expect a wait.

  • Credit Cards: AE, MC, V

Member Reviews and Ratings

Reviewed by FraninMtl from Montreal on 7/19/08
We had dinner at Cafe Pasqual's while visiting Santa Fe. Our meals were so delicious that we decided to have lunch there before we left Santa Fe. Both meals were perfect! The service was very friendly and there are plenty of vegetarian options. Despite the fact that we did not have reservations, we did not have to wait for a table. Try Cafe P, you won't be sorry!

Member Rating: 4.6
Ratings details: Food: 5.0 Atmosphere: 4.0 Service: 5.0 Value: 4.0

Reviewed by uncledave8 from Denver on 7/14/08
Well I have mixed feelings about this place although I go frequently when I'm in town. Some of the food I really love but you can easily go astray and after waiting an hour to get in that can be a downer. Great buzz though and always full of local color. All things considered there are many places just as good and much less expensive with shorter waits but you really haven't been to Santa Fe if you don't eat here at least once.

Member Rating: 3.6
Ratings details: Food: 4.0 Atmosphere: 4.0 Service: 3.0 Value: 3.0

Reviewed by lobo59 from Santa Fe, NM on 4/14/08
While breakfasts and dinners have been reviewed, and are generally delicious, my favorites are on the lunch menu. The menu is not your typical New Mexican fare, but includes such items as hamburger, Yucatan influenced chicken breast salad, Tamales El Salvadorean Style, and Blue Lady Enchiladas. My personal favorite is the Grilled Squash and Red Onion Enchilada. It is a mouth-watering blend of cheese fresh foods in enchilada form covered with a medium hot and very flavorful red chile. A very nice cilantro rice also is on the plate.

The cafe is almost always busy, and while they take dinner reservations, lunches are on a first-come basis. During tourist season we generally show up about 11 a.m. and give them our name (on a list which is already long), then walk around town for an hour or so (they will let you know about how much time you have). It has always worked out well. The food is worth the effort.

Member Rating: 4.4
Ratings details: Food: 5.0 Atmosphere: 4.0 Service: 5.0 Value: 3.0

Reviewed by donrchap from Maine on 10/1/07
$35 for four overeasy eggs and two potatoes sliced as papas fritas. So oily and soupy no wonder it was served in a bowl. A big big disappointment.

Member Rating: 1.6
Ratings details: Food: 1.0 Atmosphere: 3.0 Service: 2.0 Value: 1.0

Reviewed by cawestm from Anchorage, Alaska on 9/3/07
This was hands down the best food we found in Santa Fe. The staff was wonderful and made us feel welcome...for three days straight. The squid salad was superb and the lamb was among the best I've ever had. Well done!

Member Rating: 4.6
Ratings details: Food: 5.0 Atmosphere: 4.0 Service: 5.0 Value: 4.0

Reviewed by onashoestring from Amarillo, Texas on 7/2/07
There is not a better breakfast around. You may have to wait for a table but the wait goes fast. The food is excellent and the service amazing!

Member Rating: 5.0
Ratings details: Food: 5.0 Atmosphere: 5.0 Service: 5.0 Value: 5.0
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