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El Farol

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El Farol Review

In this crossover-cuisine town, owner David Salazar sums up his food in one word: "Spanish." Order a classic entrée like paella or make a meal from the nearly 30 different tapas—from tiny fried squid to wild mushrooms. Dining is indoors and out. Touted as the oldest continuously operated restaurant in Santa Fe, El Farol (built in 1835) has a relaxed ambience, a unique blend of the Western frontier and contemporary Santa Fe. People push back the chairs and start dancing at around 9:30. The restaurant books live entertainment seven nights a week, from blues and Latin to rock, and there's a festive flamenco performance on Wednesday. End a long day of sightseeing by grabbing a table on the porch in the late afternoon and sipping a refreshing margaritas.

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    Poor value introduction to Santa Fe

    Went here our first night in Santa Fe; Food was oversalted and greasy; Sangria watery and over priced; $25 cover charge for the Falmenco dancers was outrageous for the performance provided

    by agmeek, 9/7/09
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    A Reservation is Meaningless

    We made reservation for a busy Saturday night days before our trip to Santa Fe. Restaurant called us just before we were leaving to tell us they were cancelling our reservation in order to move a wedding indoors. We drove by restaurant, no wedding. Draw your own conclusions.

    by hobari, 7/4/09
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    great for drinks and snacks

    I'm not sure I think this is a dining destination but if you've spent the afternoon wandering up Canyon Road and find yourself thirsty at the top - this is the place. Great drinks, lots more locals than tourists, servicable tapas. You could do much worse.

    by uncledave8, 7/14/08
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    Monday Night Specials

    We kind of "lucked" into this, as was a Monday night: Entrees (not tapas) and wine were both 40% off! In early May, it's not quite high tourist season, so this could be the reason for the Monday night special. Everyone was being seated out back in their "greenhouse" section. I might have preferred the inside which was more atmospheric (or would have been if it seemed busy!). But the waiter was SUPER and we enjoyed our meal very much. The food was good -- not excellent, but good. My lamb chops were too well done to be considered "Medium" but the patatas brava were excellent and peppery hot!

    by uhoh_busted, 5/22/08
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    Honkey tonk tapas

    At the upper end of Canyon Drive and lots of people watching but the food is incidental, pretty mediocre, and if it gets chilly, the juke box loud enough to make sure you can't talk. Very funky place I suspect for having a cold one and eating a bit certainly not a destination in a town which has many others that are worth it. Tapas=small plates - what's the difference - not to be found here.

    by johnjose, 10/10/07

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