It was okay. The food was good, but not $400 good - more like $150 good. Given the French Laundry is also $400, Californios doesn’t really stack up in the value department. We were still hungry when we left, so a bit unsatisfying overall and left much to be desired for the price tag.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
Kai Sheng
One of our top dining experiences. The vibe of the entire experience was spectacular from the dark yet vibrant decor, the background music selection, the colorful plating selections that made the food visually pop, and to the careful and detailed food presentation. Just stunning - all of my senses were dancing in delight.
The staff is incredibly friendly and the chefs top notch. The taco courses were our favorite. The entire progression was exceptional and well executed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Zachary Lee
One of the few Mexican fine dining options in the world—was an interesting experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
P I
Nice people. Elegant atmosphere. Prix fixe menu only. 3 hours. $300 a person. Charlie and Guadalupe are first class.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
David Coulombe
While there were a few minor bumps, the overall experience at Californios was one of awe. The food was nothing short of spectacular. Having had the chance to eat at many higher end restaurants, I know it can be hard to maintain a level of precision in dishes throughout a 10+ courses meal, and in this instance many extremely memorable dishes. From the crab/serano/salmon roe cracker, to the plantain flan, the 3 incredible tacos, the ridiculously rich squab in mole sauce, to end with a very artistic and equally delicious chocolate strip... The flavors were layered and complex, while keeping what I would believe is still authentic mexican flavors. Be ready to eat with your hands, which can be a little bit messy at times, but all worth it.
Not everything was perfect, and the food started to arrive before we even had ordered drinks. Some little confusion on subsequent beverage options, but nothing dramatic. The main element to be mentally ready for is the location, which is in a warehouse / clubs zone, not really consistent with the vibe of a higher end restaurant. We did not feel at risk at any time, but clearly not in the same groove. Easy to ignore following the fantastic culinary experience we had just been through.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Fernando Stepensky
We came expecting to be blown away given the two stars and stellar reviews, but very few dishes were at that level. Everything was good, but very few dishes were incredible or justified the price point. We’re Mexican and have had a lot of fine dining and normal dining in Mexico City, and those were either much better than Californios or comparable at a much lower price point. There was no real ambiance either it was pretty sterile which is odd for a Mexican restaurant. Great service though.
Jayson
Fantastic food - as always. Service was disappointing during this visit - a bit haphazard for a 2 Michelin star set menu restaurant. Not the well oiled machine that we have experienced here before.
Andrea Vodickova
Whoever is charge of the aux cable in the kitchen deserves a raise. Shoutout to the most kind and gorgeous chef Kaylin. Thank you for having me, Val♥️ Thank you for supporting Tierra Vegetables ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gabriel
We had a nice night here, and the food was by and large great. Some definite issues with service, though. After our first drink, we had to ask multiple servers for the sommelier until they finally came, even though our empty glasses had been removed quite some time ago and our table clearly had no drinks. Our check arrived at the exact same moment as the full dessert (an odd move), and no one had asked us if we wanted any dessert drinks/coffee/tea. This was somewhat off-putting—as if we were being not so subtly told it’s time to go, though we had actually been moved through the meal at a relatively brisk pace. These may seem like quibbles, but they’re not quite up to par for a restaurant of this purported caliber and leave a bit of a mark on an otherwise quite nice dining experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Gabriel
Wonderful food, if not transcendent (which isn't a knock). Inconsistent service, though, which included an off-putting abruptness to the end of the meal.
I struggled about what to say. The room (including art), service and creative delicious food were amazing and a truly unique experience. I didn't eat all day before, but was over satiated when I left and didn't sleep well. Id like to return if they had a truncated course option or after a longer fast. Loved the place. Signed Torn
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Itze
Best testing menu I had in a very long time Service impeccable!! loved every bite of it. We will return with the rest of our family. Thank you to all this stuff for a great experience.
Lily Wu
Absolutely stunning meal and one of my top fine dining experiences ever. I’m admittedly unsure of whether this is because I’m experiencing a bit of fine dining fatigue where it comes to French or Italian-leaning cuisines, so a Mexican dining experience was so exciting and refreshing to have.
I discussed with my partner and everything was a hit - there was nothing we didnt like. I loved the black cod taco and the bite called “Bocol” the best - who knew something could be so delicious.
I’ll give it overall 5 stars but I do think there were a few service hiccups that I think should be ironed out and perhaps just needs a bit more training for the front of house staff - our first drink listed on the menu was simply forgotten until I brought it up after we were a few courses in, the wrong mocktail was brought which my partner liked anyway so we didn’t bother correcting it, and when we were choosing the aguafresca flavor - normally speaking I find it’s very clear which person should get what flavor because I said “I’ll have ____ and he will have ____” but they ended up being switched around. I actually don’t really mind these and we were so blown away by the warmth of the front house staff who were so hospitable but I guess this is just feedback in general because I think a 2 star rating is a lot to live up to!! Regardless, I absolutely cannot wait to come back in another season and try a different menu.
Also the touches for my partner’s birthday were so cute (sparkler and a little pour of Mexican sparkling wine at the start of the meal) , handwritten note!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Moe N
Great atmosphere, fresh food, and friendly staff. Fast seating and convenient parking. Will definitely return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jeffrey
I've been going to Californios for years and it just keeps getting better and better. Bravo to chef Val and the entire team.
It was okay. The food was good, but not $400 good - more like $150 good. Given the French Laundry is also $400, Californios doesn’t really stack up in the value department. We were still hungry when we left, so a bit unsatisfying overall and left much to be desired for the price tag.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
One of our top dining experiences. The vibe of the entire experience was spectacular from the dark yet vibrant decor, the background music selection, the colorful plating selections that made the food visually pop, and to the careful and detailed food presentation. Just stunning - all of my senses were dancing in delight.
The staff is incredibly friendly and the chefs top notch. The taco courses were our favorite. The entire progression was exceptional and well executed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of the few Mexican fine dining options in the world—was an interesting experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Nice people. Elegant atmosphere. Prix fixe menu only. 3 hours. $300 a person. Charlie and Guadalupe are first class.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
While there were a few minor bumps, the overall experience at Californios was one of awe. The food was nothing short of spectacular. Having had the chance to eat at many higher end restaurants, I know it can be hard to maintain a level of precision in dishes throughout a 10+ courses meal, and in this instance many extremely memorable dishes. From the crab/serano/salmon roe cracker, to the plantain flan, the 3 incredible tacos, the ridiculously rich squab in mole sauce, to end with a very artistic and equally delicious chocolate strip... The flavors were layered and complex, while keeping what I would believe is still authentic mexican flavors. Be ready to eat with your hands, which can be a little bit messy at times, but all worth it.
Not everything was perfect, and the food started to arrive before we even had ordered drinks. Some little confusion on subsequent beverage options, but nothing dramatic. The main element to be mentally ready for is the location, which is in a warehouse / clubs zone, not really consistent with the vibe of a higher end restaurant. We did not feel at risk at any time, but clearly not in the same groove. Easy to ignore following the fantastic culinary experience we had just been through.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
We came expecting to be blown away given the two stars and stellar reviews, but very few dishes were at that level. Everything was good, but very few dishes were incredible or justified the price point. We’re Mexican and have had a lot of fine dining and normal dining in Mexico City, and those were either much better than Californios or comparable at a much lower price point. There was no real ambiance either it was pretty sterile which is odd for a Mexican restaurant. Great service though.
Fantastic food - as always. Service was disappointing during this visit - a bit haphazard for a 2 Michelin star set menu restaurant. Not the well oiled machine that we have experienced here before.
Whoever is charge of the aux cable in the kitchen deserves a raise. Shoutout to the most kind and gorgeous chef Kaylin. Thank you for having me, Val♥️ Thank you for supporting Tierra Vegetables ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had a nice night here, and the food was by and large great. Some definite issues with service, though. After our first drink, we had to ask multiple servers for the sommelier until they finally came, even though our empty glasses had been removed quite some time ago and our table clearly had no drinks. Our check arrived at the exact same moment as the full dessert (an odd move), and no one had asked us if we wanted any dessert drinks/coffee/tea. This was somewhat off-putting—as if we were being not so subtly told it’s time to go, though we had actually been moved through the meal at a relatively brisk pace. These may seem like quibbles, but they’re not quite up to par for a restaurant of this purported caliber and leave a bit of a mark on an otherwise quite nice dining experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Wonderful food, if not transcendent (which isn't a knock). Inconsistent service, though, which included an off-putting abruptness to the end of the meal.
Restaurantji Recommends
I struggled about what to say.
The room (including art), service and creative delicious food were amazing and a truly unique experience. I didn't eat all day before, but was over satiated when I left and didn't sleep well. Id like to return if they had a truncated course option or after a longer fast. Loved the place. Signed Torn
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best testing menu I had in a very long time Service impeccable!! loved every bite of it. We will return with the rest of our family. Thank you to all this stuff for a great experience.
Absolutely stunning meal and one of my top fine dining experiences ever. I’m admittedly unsure of whether this is because I’m experiencing a bit of fine dining fatigue where it comes to French or Italian-leaning cuisines, so a Mexican dining experience was so exciting and refreshing to have.
I discussed with my partner and everything was a hit - there was nothing we didnt like. I loved the black cod taco and the bite called “Bocol” the best - who knew something could be so delicious.
I’ll give it overall 5 stars but I do think there were a few service hiccups that I think should be ironed out and perhaps just needs a bit more training for the front of house staff - our first drink listed on the menu was simply forgotten until I brought it up after we were a few courses in, the wrong mocktail was brought which my partner liked anyway so we didn’t bother correcting it, and when we were choosing the aguafresca flavor - normally speaking I find it’s very clear which person should get what flavor because I said “I’ll have ____ and he will have ____” but they ended up being switched around. I actually don’t really mind these and we were so blown away by the warmth of the front house staff who were so hospitable but I guess this is just feedback in general because I think a 2 star rating is a lot to live up to!! Regardless, I absolutely cannot wait to come back in another season and try a different menu.
Also the touches for my partner’s birthday were so cute (sparkler and a little pour of Mexican sparkling wine at the start of the meal) , handwritten note!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Great atmosphere, fresh food, and friendly staff. Fast seating and convenient parking. Will definitely return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I've been going to Californios for years and it just keeps getting better and better. Bravo to chef Val and the entire team.
Loading...