Canyon Restaurant

Food was a 5
Service was a 1 maybe a 2

Our waitress made this dining experience lower than it should've been.  We put our names in for dinner 3 people on a Saturday night, we were told it would be about an hour and a half.

Walked over to Chill Wine Lounge [b/c Canyons bar was jam packed]. Had some drinks. Saw Jason Taylor walk by and joked that he would get his table before ours [bc/ they don't take reservations]. Sent our friend over to check on the table and it was ready...Jason Taylor was seated in the front window seat eating already.....

We sit, we start to order. Food comes and it's delicious. But as the orders start coming we noticed our waitress getting progressively snootier with us.  Towards the end she was slamming the plates/bowls down w/ a clatter...it was extremely uncomfortable and I didn't even know what to say at this point.

Now we are all really good tippers, 3 of us for dinner, we were there about an hour, bill was $193 so it ain't like were not spending money here.  We barely tipped her 10%.

So I'm torn on this one. I live within walking distance, the food was great!  I hate the fact they don't take reservations and I really don't want to see that waitress again.  Not happy either that a celebrity gets treated better here than us 'common folk'.

Prickly pear margarita is tasty! Had the venison app and tuna entree, both were amazing! The wait is very long, but get a drink at the bar and wait... this place is worth it!

Just to clarify the other reviews about Canyon policies, they open at 5:30pm daily, no reservations, and we were there last night (Sunday) at 8 and had about a 20 minute wait at the bar to enjoy 2 rounds of the much-mentioned prickly pear margaritas that, as everyone has already said, you really shouldn't miss, before being seated. They only add automatic 20% gratuity for parties of 5 or more, in case other reviews are unclear.

Host was friendly and efficient. Bartender was sweet. Not sure what else people are looking for, as we read a couple of scathing reviews of service. Most of the time, you get what you give--so be polite, and tip well, it's amazing how nice people are in return.

Atmosphere was buzzing, a little loud even, and we got a booth that we liked for its privacy and comfort.

Service was helpful and on top of water refills every time we were down to half glasses. We asked for recommendations and were provided a few specifics as well as  a general one to follow the ingredients we liked and we won't be disappointed. We were not.

Started with special app which was short rib and pea arancini (balls of deep fried risotto) with the most delectable Cabernet reduction sauce. We were using bread to eat the leftover sauce and asking waitress about it. Highly recommend these if they offer them when you're there.

Also we did the often recommended poblano with goat cheese and herbs on black beans that we read good things about. It was perfect.

My son ordered filet mignon medium rare and loved every bite. I was unsure about ordering filet at Southwest restaurant, but they nailed it. And it was served with cilantro potatoes and they were excellent.

Husband had tuna tartare, which was good, but he said he wishes he had gone more adventurous. It came with yucca chips, which I liked and he didn't really care one way or the other.

I had chicken tostada app as entree because it seemed to fit the restaurant theme, and after 2 apps, I didn't need a big meal. The combination of goat cheese, arugula, caramelized  onions, and truffle cream on the crisp tostada was amazing. Highly recommend this dish. It's simple on one hand but executed well.

Yes, we, too, got the hyped white chocolate bread pudding with mixed berry compote in Chambord just to see what the fuss was about. Husband loves any bread pudding, son loves anything with mixed berries, and I don't care for most bread puddings or mixed berry compotes. All three of us strongly dislike white chocolate. So we plowed in with those prejudices intact. And we all three loved it. Presented beautifully, tasted heavenly soft and moist, and white chocolate was easily absorbed and non-distracting. Save room and get it for sure.

Bottom line, yes, it's pricey, but if you order well and focus on appetizers, you're in for a treat. And a few delicious margaritas.