Sabroso Restaurant and Bar

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  Coolest and tastiest restaurant I've ever been too. The only problem was the snotty skier family behind us. They hassled our waiter about their flat water not being flat enough. Felt bad for the guy, but my husband being the smartass he is scored us a free dessert. Can't stand people that think they are better then others. Anyways go check this place out you won't be disappointed at all. Just be aware of the occasional stuck up middle aged hipster wannabes.

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  Posted on 09.01.13 Shannon K.

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  First of all, my one star is in regards to take-out, otherwise my experience there has been quite good (other than the $49 sticker price for a bottle of Hess Chardonnay that can be purchased down the street at the OBL for $11!).  
  Ordered the $9 wedge salad to go and made the mistake of not checking it before getting home.  What is truly a "wedge" served in the restaurant is a mere sliver in the to go box.  It was so ridiculously small for a $9 salad that we took it back (we had also ordered two but only received one).  The host was very nice and took the salad back to the kitchen.  Then they brought out two of the same size just re-packaged in larger containers!  We were told,  "chef said that's the way it's done".  Total BS and a total rip off.

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  Posted on 08.19.13 Yasmin H.

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  One word. EH... My husband and I ate at the bar and the service was ok. The hamburgers were decent. This place will not be on my go to list if I ever return to Taos. Only good thing is that they are open later than most places.

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  Posted on 01.16.13 Natalie W.

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  Stopped in for a drink after a day of skiing in the Valley. We ordered the specialty house margaritas which were so good! Strong with just the perfect balance of sweet and tart.
  
  The service was really good as well, I didn't catch out waitresses name, but homegirl from Oregon couldn't have been nicer.
  
  We ordered the calamari and the baked oysters to snack on. The oysters had lots of Parmesan and bacon which were yummy. Calamari were nicely fried and the accompanying sauces were a nice touch.
  
  Overall the ambiance made for a really great visit. It was so nice just hanging by the fireplace enjoying our cocktails. Will definitely be back when in Taos!

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  Posted on 12.22.12 Stephanie C.

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  Despite a rocky start with GPS making our trip a bit of an adventure, we had a great meal/evening here.
  
  Have been on a Caesar salad kick lately, so I had to try it. Well seasoned with anchovies on top...really good, but a meal in itself. Make sure to have someone to share it with or be prepared to be full before your entree shows.
  
  I had the pork chop, which I would normally avoid, but the description was intriguing - it was essentially cured like ham and then grilled. The texture/flavor was incredible...would love to know how they did it. My husband had the carbonara farfalle - he says it was one of the best pastas he had ever had. I thought it was good, but took exception to having cream in it as I'm a purest when it comes to carbonara.
  
  Have seen reviews mention poor or slow service, but ours was excellent. Of course, we were there during the off season so the place was not completely packed.
  
  I tend to find myself disappointed in upper end restaurants...they generally fall short of expectations. It was nice to walk away from dinner pleased with our whole experience.

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  Posted on 10.22.12 Sarah A.

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  Surprisingly good bar food. Went there on weeknight in the spring as everything in Taos Ski valley was closed. There was a piano and singing night for the Texans transplants. The cliente that night made the atmosphere was definitely redneckish.
  
  However, when we managed to find a seat at the bar, we ordered a burger and fish tacos. I was expecting greasy feedlot meat. When I bit into it, I found a lean, juicy burger with actual flavor and cooked right to medium rare. Found out later they use grass fed/finish meat from the rancher down the road. The fish taco was quite tasty with the fixin's in it.
  
  Service was great as New Mexicans are very good at customer service and welcoming. Could not say the same for the other diners; mostly Oklahomans & Texans that were never taught that it was rude to stare or how to use the ski lift. They were probably freaked out that we weren't wearing XXXL clothes.

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  Posted on 10.20.12 Dennis M.

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  Yummy bar menu (LOVE the Salmon Frites!).  I have two small children so it's best for me to go during the warmer months.  I would recommend eating before 6 pm (so the wait isn't bad).  Also, request a table outside in the plum garden. That way I don't get dirty looks from people who don't like kids who speak or get up from the table now and then.  Nice kids menu.

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  Posted on 07.21.12 Tanya D.

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  This is the fifth time we have eaten here and we will not return.  The service was abominable and no one came by to apologize.  We sat down at 7:30 and were served our entree just before 9.  The order was incomplete but we just wanted to get our bill and get out of there.  No one was in charge.  Only waitresses tried to cope with some crisis in the kitchen and a large party that they should have been prepared for.  We were very disappointed because Sabroso had been one our favorite stops in Taos.  It may have been a one time problem but we will not take a chance again.  There are too many other reliable choices in the area.

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  Posted on 07.19.12 jerry z.

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  A gem of a restaurant that outshines most of the restaurants I've been to!  Our dinner experience was amazing!
  
  The four of us (two couples) enjoyed dinner on the patio.  I love this outdoor setting with its own bar!  I want my patio to look like this.
  
  The service from the person that sat us, the outdoor bartender, and our server was excellent!
  
  My wife picked this restaurant because of its eclectic bar menu.  So many tasty food items to choose from!  I'm so glad she did!  The restaurant is listed at $$$ but the bar menu is at $$ in my opinion.  Excellent value!
  
  I told our server, Richard, how we planned on experiencing as many items as we could on the bar menu and he was game for it.  Our approach was to share everything we ordered.  We did our own apportioning because there were a few dishes and the staff kept us stocked with fresh plates and cutlery as needed without asking.  Thanks!
  
  We started the evening with fresh lime margaritas.  Nice fresh juice with just the right amount of tartness.  Not enough tequila though.  But the bartender willingly topped up our glasses with extra tequila at no extra charge.  And the wine list is very reasonably priced.  We enjoyed a bottle of 2009 Hess Allomi Vineyard Cab. with the meat dishes.
  
  Now, let's get to the food:
  
  Deep fried portobello mushroom strips:  nice soy-based sauce.  Large crumbs on perfectly cooked strips.  Tasty!
  
  Two grilled mahi mahi fish tacos:  the fish was slightly overdone but that didn't take away from the flavor profile of this great taco.  The roasted tomato salsa was smoky and had a nice bite.  Loved it!
  
  French fries with truffle oil and parmesan cheese:  I'll never say no to truffle oil!  The trick is using just the right amount and these guys nailed it!  The only problem with this dish is the ketchup that came with it.  Really?  Ketchup?  Maybe with plain fries but never with truffle oil!
  
  Caesar salad: nicely balanced dressing and garnished with whole anchovies.  Yes!
  
  Steak Frites:  Wood grilled flat iron steak with ancho chile sauce.  The steak was done perfectly medium-rare.  The sauce was overwhelming though.  There was too much of it.  I would also add a bit of cumin, more garlic, and salt.
  
  Wood grilled ribeye steak:  Wow!  Melt in your mouth meat that was perfectly seasoned and salted!  Garlic mashed potatoes disappeared quickly too!  You MUST order this dish!
  
  Hickory smoked baby back ribs:  Really meaty and tender!  The sauce was excellent!  Perfect balance of smoky sweet and slow burn on the finish.
  
  I want to go back and try all the items on the menu!  You locals are very lucky to have this restaurant!  Enjoy!

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  Posted on 06.19.12 Ismat I.

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  Food was great, the atmosphere was warm and cozy, and the service was fast & friendly.  Def.  The only complaint I have were the 5 kids sitting in front of us.  They were loud and obnoxious the entire hour and half me and my girlfriend were there. But other than that, I highly recommend this place to anyone in the area

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  Posted on 02.22.12 Whitney D.

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  This is an apres ski review only.  
  
  We stopped on way down from the Ski Valley on way back to Ranchos and did not eat though they looked to be setting up for the evening.  Menu looked interesting in a progressive way.  
  
  Very comfortable sofa's and stuffed chairs placed in 35x 20' ft room.   It was great to be alone with our party and we almost "owned the place except for 2 couples grabbing something off the bar menu.  Didn't see what they got.
  
  Bar on one end and burning fire on the other.  Grand piano seems hooked up for entertainment but we only stopped in from 4 to 5 for a couple cold ones and just enjoyed the quiet and each others' company.
  
  Good place to chill out and "shorten the road" if you don't want to drink at The St. Bernard.

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  Posted on 01.09.12 Brutus F.

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  Great mixture of upscale and Northern New Mexico atmosphere.  An eclectic mix of jet setters, skiers,  intellectuals, and families with older kids. They have a comfortable bar area, and more formal dining areas.  They have a great looking patio too.
  
  We found the service to be attentive, very nice presentation with attention to details, and the food excellent.  Not the kind of place you expect to find outside of Taos.  Look forward to going back. note: This is the place to wear those  fancy jeans  and sheep skin boots, or just stop in for apres-ski like we did.

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  Posted on 01.02.12 Todd W.

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  I had a relatively early meal in the bar area, so maybe I avoided some of the issues remarked on by other reviewers.
  
  The bar menu includes tapas and bistro-style dinners. The prices are reasonable. The quality of the food is first rate. I had the duck frite dinner, with sweet potato frites. The duck thighs and drumsticks were perfect: crispy outside, tender in, not greasy. Slightly fewer frites, and a little more of the salad would be the only change I would make.
  
  The room was comfortable, tasteful, and informal. Wearing ski pants to an early dinner is no problem. The whole experience was perfect for an apres-ski meal.
  
  The house was less than half full, and, in February, it was too cold for the patio, though they had the fire pit going outside. Service was prompt throughout.

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  Posted on 02.25.11 Zigurd M.

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  Beautiful setting, great outdoor patio and even more fun when live music is playing. Great place to go for a relaxing dinner with ambience. Don't go expecting a "quick meal" if you eat inside, they are incredibly slow. You can eat off the bar menu and it's much faster and more fun in the summer. I prefer summer dining.  Enjoy!

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  Posted on 01.04.11 Ann H.

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  Warning, bring your patience to the table when you enter.
  
  I recently had the opportunity to dine here with some friends, we came in at 7, and we were a medium party of 10 adults.  The place was not busy when we sat down but it did pick up afterwards.  While they were never full, they were operating as if they had the largest dinner rush they had seen in forever.
  
  Appitizers took 90 minutes.  !!90!! - some tables sat, ate, and LEFT before we were even served appitizers.  After many requests out dinner order was taken about 1 hour after we sat down, and it took a full hour to prepare.  
  
  Now i know in some resturants they are mobbed due to the food, entertainment, location, and for the best seats or best food you have to wait, this was nither.  Infact the food was average, the appitizers were good but not great, the dinners were good and the salads were fresh.  But was this worth the wait, the really slow and poor service (borderline terrible service) ?   No, it was not.
  
  2 stars is generous because the food was good, but save yourself the time and order breakfast when placing your dinner order just in case a few people show up after you sit down.

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  Posted on 06.07.10 Peter g.

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  I've been to Sabroso twice and the second time was the redeemer.  
  
  The first visit was nice but it seemed like no one listened to anything I said when I ordered.  It's a really nice place and I figured they would try to make my dining experience as good as possible.  My steak was WAY undercooked and I had to send it back, and it still came back to me undercooked.  I know some people really like that, but I was not a fan.  They have a wonderful selection of wines, though!
  
  **Disclaimer** This is very fine dining where they put butter on everything.  I had some dietary restrictions that they could not accommodate at the time.  BUT If you call ahead, they will prepare a special meal for you!!!
  
  The second time I went was for brunch and it was SUPER!  They have one of the greatest buffets in the world.  Made to order omelettes, eggs benedict, kolaches, a huge array of fruits, pastries, pancakes and waffles, crab cakes, sausage, ham, bacon, and so much more!  Plus, the hostess and our buffet coordinator talked to us about our travels and our stay in Taos.  My plate was never empty, my drinks were always full and I had a fresh napkin and silver when I sat back down at the table.
  
  I really like the set up, too.  It's a nice, small place with one room to the right of the entrance, a bar room to the left, and seating outside around a large fire pit.  
  
  They have live music in the bar area for dinner and brunch.
  
  Ladies - the parking lot is gravel so watch those heels.  
  
  They charge a fee to split a check.

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  Posted on 10.23.09 Dana R.

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  I'll give Sabroso 5 stars...these days I'm on the .5 system, so in actuality I'll give them 4.5.  I think the only things that left a bitter taste in my mouth were the service - it was slightly slow for my taste - and when the fire burned out, no one lit it back up.  But aside from that, this place is THE place to eat and relax, especially when it's cold outside.  
  
  We went here to escape the Abominable Snowmansion next door.  Hey, at least we have our priorities right (well, sort of.....read my A.S. report).  
  
  We started out with glasses of different red wine, I had the Malbec.  It was a good, strong Malbec.  With this we ate their Mesa platter - the pita bread was the good, thick kind and the hummus and olive dip were excellent.  But my main course, a mushroom pasta cooked al dente, was the reason you should go here too.  It was unbelievably good.  I'm a sucker, though - anything mushroom with pasta cooked al dente is my favorite.  There was some other stuff in there that made it even better, but I can't stop thinking about those mushrooms.  They were the flavorful, thick kind that you would swear was meat but wasn't.  
  
  I can't even remember what we had for dessert I loved that pasta so much.  I do know I finished off with a latte which was prepared just right.   One last thing - the bar area next to the big fireplace looks to be the place to hang out, so get there early or it will be packed up.

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  Posted on 01.04.09 LH V.

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  We had a lovely dinner at Sabroso the other night, after a long day of skiing.  When we walked in the hostess asked us if we had reservations, which we didn't, so she gave us a menu to peruse.
  
  The menu is varied, even including options for vegetarians, but plenty of creative dishes for carnivores too. Two of us started with Sabroso's French onion soup, which was a perfect cup with a nice piece of French bread and cheese on top. My mom raved about the green chile corn chowder and my dad enjoyed his wedge salad as well.
  
  For main courses, we looked to our server for guidance - she recommended the duck, the filet, and the wild mushroom farfalle carbonara. I choose the mixed grill, a special that changes nightly.
  
  I didn't try either the duck or the filet, but both were raved about at the table. The wild mushroom farfalle carbonara was the best carbonara pasta I'd ever had. Of course, I think that my mixed grill was the best - a wild boar chop, a lamb chop and a venison chop with some sort of cherry reduction, served with fresh steamed veggies and really awesome mashed potatoes.
  
  For dessert, we were rewarded with the maple creme brulee.
  
  Our server was great. Also, Sabroso has been given Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence the past two years. Their wine list was notable. We had a bottle of the 2006 Benton Lane Pinot Noir that was fantastic.

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  Posted on 12.29.08 Laura R.

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  This place has had its ups and downs over the years, first as Casa Cordoba, then La Vida something or other, now as Sabroso.  The atmosphere, grounds and building are first rate (historic adobe home, secluded), the food was good in June 07, but still finding their way for this price range.  A real restaurant.  (In my little world, restaurants are either "real" or "fake".  Real restaurants focus on providing good food, fake restaurants focus on a business formula.)
  p.s.  If you go to a website called 999dine, you can buy a discount coupon.

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  Posted on 07.06.07 nemo t.

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