This place has a lot of good things going for them. I decided to try three different things on this visit. Quesabirria tacos, chile Colorado, and their green ceviche. The name is amano, and they intend to make everything by hand. Which, I'm not sure if that is a factor in their pricing, but it was very overpriced, in my opinion. The quesabirria tacos were 28 dollars and no rice and beans. The ceviche was 26 dollars, and the portion size of it could fit in my palm. The food was decent, but I couldn't justify it when there are competitors that are doing it for half the price.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: L a Birria Tacos, Chile Colorado, Ceviche
Ben Nelson
Ambitious Goals Meet Reality at Amano - CaldwellAmano, nestled in Caldwell, positions itself as a beacon of authenticity and cultural reverence, promising a journey through the rich traditions of Mexican cuisine with a focus on masa and mezcal experiences "hechas a mano" (made by hand). This lofty ambition, underpinned by a commitment to honoring ancestral cooking methods, sustainability, and the support of indigenous communities, sets a high bar for an immersive and authentic dining experience. Yet, my visit revealed a gap between these commendable goals and the reality of the dining experience.The restaurant's dedication to uplifting the food and beverages of the Mexican diaspora through ancestral cooking methods is an admirable pursuit. However, the execution falls short of these aspirations. The dishes we ordered, including fish tacos, birria tacos, and mole short ribs, while decent, lacked the depth and authenticity expected from a restaurant with such a mission statement. The flavors did not fully capture the rich, vibrant essence of traditional Mexican cuisine I am use to.Additionally, the experience was marred by practical issues that detracted from the overall dining pleasure. Overpriced and underfilled drinks contrast sharply with the restaurant's vision of inclusivity and community. Moreover, an unexpected discomfort came from the seating arrangement; the bar stools were so low that my date required blankets for additional height, and I found myself awkwardly eating at chest level. This aspect of our visit was not just a minor inconvenience but a significant oversight that impacted our enjoyment.On a brighter note, the drink profile combinations displayed creativity, hinting at the potential for a truly unique mezcal experience. This aspect of our visit aligned more closely with Amano's stated goals, offering a glimpse into the possibilities that could arise from a more cohesive realization of their vision.In summary, while Amano aspires to be a culinary and cultural haven, celebrating the richness of Mexican traditions and the principles of the P'urhepecha community, the actual dining experience lacks the authenticity and comfort needed to fully realize these ambitions. The disparity between the restaurant's noble goals and the tangible aspects of the dining experience leaves room for significant improvement. For those seeking a taste of true Mexican cuisine and a comfortable dining experience, the search continues.
H. M
First time for dinner and Amano's was exceptional. Must have reservation but it is worth planning ahead. The Carne asada was melt in your mouth tender and the Baja Cali Fish Tacos were flaky and perfectly crispy. Our waitstaff was attentive and professional, giving outstanding service and suggestions.Dietary restrictions: Our waitstaff did a great job checking before we ordered.Kid-friendliness: Not recommended for kids.Wheelchair accessibility: There were several options available for special mobility needs.
It was our anniversary. We didn't make a reservation. Next time we will. Food was sooo good. We ate at the bar. Skye was out waiter and he went above and beyond to make out day special. He explained the menu and answered questions. Everyone working there was very friendly. Gluten free options too. Thank you Amano.Dietary restrictions: They have gluten free options.Parking: Parked on the side of the restaurant.
Been making the drive to Amano since they opened and it’s an amazing experience every time. Did our anniversary here and they even took a photo of us as a keepsake.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Baja Cali Fish Tacos, Ceviche
Lily Yang
Get the coffee with the fancy cream on top! So good!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: L a Birria Hash
Tamara Milburn
We had an enjoyable brunch. The food was delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Faith Rienstra
This is by far my favorite restaurant in the valley. The food and service is always outstanding. The fish tacos are amazing and love the tres leches
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Baja Cali Fish Tacos
SBX7
The Best Fish Tacos on Mother Earth! And one of the best overall dining experiences you can have. If you are a foodie, come here now. This place is our favorite restaurant in the Treasure Valley and overall dining experience can’t be beat. It’s the first place we bring family who visit from out of town. Everything is handmade and even brought from Mexico when in season. We haven’t tried the whole menu, but close, and some of our favorites include the Fish Tacos, Carnitas Plate, Mole Verde (cauliflower), Esquites (corn) and from the bar El Amano and La Rebanadita. Seth
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
babybug.76
We were given a gift card for this place for Christmas. We booked our reservations over a month in advance. We'd heard about this place for a while and were excited to give it a try. All in all, it was an enjoyable experience but insanely expensive. My husband ordered a basic margarita on the rocks. Said it was good but more ice than anything. We tried the guacamole and it was very good but a bit heavy on the herbs on top. I was pleasantly surprised by the fresh dill on top and may try it in my own now. The basket of chips that came with it had a whopping 7 chips in it. My husband ordered the carne asada plate and I got the birria tacos. Both were delicious, but again, way overpriced. You'd think for a $28 taco plate you'd at least get rice and beans but that had to be ordered on the side. The restaurant was rather loud but not intolerable. The service was fast and friendly. We had a nice time and the food was good but the prices were just insane. Was nice to try once but we doubt we'll be back simply because of the expense.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sonora Carne Asada Tacos, Guacamole Con Hierbas, L a Birria Tacos
My partner and I came to Amano to celebrate our 10th anniversary. Upon entering, we were graciously welcomed in and even treated to a complimentary glass of champagne for our special day. Ragner took great care of us, patiently reviewing the menu with us and making some great recommendations. Their mezcal menu is the most extensive I’ve ever seen, very impressive for Idaho!We settled on splitting the rojas de crema (for their last night!), cochinita pibil pork tacos and the carne asada platter. Ragner had warned us that the pork was spicy, but that it was his favorite menu item. I can see why! It definitely has a kick to it, but is so delicious- we could hardly put them down. The steak was excellent, succulent with a perfect smoky crust. My favorite part might have been the made-to-order tortillas- I could eat a basket of them plain.The food lives up to its reputation, but more importantly for us as an LGBTQIA+ ?️? couple, we weren’t sure how we’d be received. We felt appreciated and our love celebrated by everyone we encountered at Amano- not something we always encounter in Idaho. This might not be something everyone considers before going out, but it’s important to us. Thank you! We will definitely be back again soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak, Cochinita Pibil Tacos
Isabella Prince
Amazing food, aesthetic and service! Absolute gem to find in western Idaho.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joel Rea
First time there, and it did not disappoint.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Guacamole Con Hierbas
Dianne Seel
Music is too loud, asked to turn it down. They did for 5 minutes.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Baja Cali Fish Tacos
Tony Chiappetta
This place was amazing. The atmosphere was so cool. Thanks to Brent who was behind the bar and also waited on us a fellow vegas person. He was so cool and helpful, if you sit at the bar definitely ask for Brent. So we sat right where they make the drinks and watching Joshua was so entertaining. Joshua also made one of the best Margaritas I had in a while. The food was incredibly tasty, the asada tacos were out of this world. My wife got the Chile relleno and absolutely loved it. We will definitely going back several times. I highly recommend this place. Oh if you like old architecture the ceiling is amazing and it is an old bank and if you go towards the back one of the old vaults is still there. Had another amazing dinner and drinks THANK YOU SO MUCH BRENT. I highly recommend having dinner and drinks here. Again if you sit at the bar ask for Brent. Tried the Saturday brunch and it was amazing definitely recommend. You are always treated like family, Ava and Emma are always so sweet and amazing. I can never say enough about this place. I will say it again I highly recommend Amano. Big shout out to my boy Brent thank you. Another great dinner thank you Ava for the amazing service and Emma also for the incredible service and again Brent for the incredible drinks. Like family there!!
This place has a lot of good things going for them. I decided to try three different things on this visit. Quesabirria tacos, chile Colorado, and their green ceviche. The name is amano, and they intend to make everything by hand. Which, I'm not sure if that is a factor in their pricing, but it was very overpriced, in my opinion. The quesabirria tacos were 28 dollars and no rice and beans. The ceviche was 26 dollars, and the portion size of it could fit in my palm. The food was decent, but I couldn't justify it when there are competitors that are doing it for half the price.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: L a Birria Tacos, Chile Colorado, Ceviche
Ambitious Goals Meet Reality at Amano - CaldwellAmano, nestled in Caldwell, positions itself as a beacon of authenticity and cultural reverence, promising a journey through the rich traditions of Mexican cuisine with a focus on masa and mezcal experiences "hechas a mano" (made by hand). This lofty ambition, underpinned by a commitment to honoring ancestral cooking methods, sustainability, and the support of indigenous communities, sets a high bar for an immersive and authentic dining experience. Yet, my visit revealed a gap between these commendable goals and the reality of the dining experience.The restaurant's dedication to uplifting the food and beverages of the Mexican diaspora through ancestral cooking methods is an admirable pursuit. However, the execution falls short of these aspirations. The dishes we ordered, including fish tacos, birria tacos, and mole short ribs, while decent, lacked the depth and authenticity expected from a restaurant with such a mission statement. The flavors did not fully capture the rich, vibrant essence of traditional Mexican cuisine I am use to.Additionally, the experience was marred by practical issues that detracted from the overall dining pleasure. Overpriced and underfilled drinks contrast sharply with the restaurant's vision of inclusivity and community. Moreover, an unexpected discomfort came from the seating arrangement; the bar stools were so low that my date required blankets for additional height, and I found myself awkwardly eating at chest level. This aspect of our visit was not just a minor inconvenience but a significant oversight that impacted our enjoyment.On a brighter note, the drink profile combinations displayed creativity, hinting at the potential for a truly unique mezcal experience. This aspect of our visit aligned more closely with Amano's stated goals, offering a glimpse into the possibilities that could arise from a more cohesive realization of their vision.In summary, while Amano aspires to be a culinary and cultural haven, celebrating the richness of Mexican traditions and the principles of the P'urhepecha community, the actual dining experience lacks the authenticity and comfort needed to fully realize these ambitions. The disparity between the restaurant's noble goals and the tangible aspects of the dining experience leaves room for significant improvement. For those seeking a taste of true Mexican cuisine and a comfortable dining experience, the search continues.
First time for dinner and Amano's was exceptional. Must have reservation but it is worth planning ahead. The Carne asada was melt in your mouth tender and the Baja Cali Fish Tacos were flaky and perfectly crispy. Our waitstaff was attentive and professional, giving outstanding service and suggestions.Dietary restrictions: Our waitstaff did a great job checking before we ordered.Kid-friendliness: Not recommended for kids.Wheelchair accessibility: There were several options available for special mobility needs.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sonora Carne Asada Tacos, Baja Cali Fish Tacos, Ceviche
It was our anniversary. We didn't make a reservation. Next time we will. Food was sooo good. We ate at the bar. Skye was out waiter and he went above and beyond to make out day special. He explained the menu and answered questions. Everyone working there was very friendly. Gluten free options too. Thank you Amano.Dietary restrictions: They have gluten free options.Parking: Parked on the side of the restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Carnitas Michoacan, Carne Asada Plate
Been making the drive to Amano since they opened and it’s an amazing experience every time. Did our anniversary here and they even took a photo of us as a keepsake.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Baja Cali Fish Tacos, Ceviche
Get the coffee with the fancy cream on top! So good!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: L a Birria Hash
We had an enjoyable brunch. The food was delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is by far my favorite restaurant in the valley. The food and service is always outstanding. The fish tacos are amazing and love the tres leches
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Baja Cali Fish Tacos
The Best Fish Tacos on Mother Earth! And one of the best overall dining experiences you can have. If you are a foodie, come here now. This place is our favorite restaurant in the Treasure Valley and overall dining experience can’t be beat. It’s the first place we bring family who visit from out of town. Everything is handmade and even brought from Mexico when in season. We haven’t tried the whole menu, but close, and some of our favorites include the Fish Tacos, Carnitas Plate, Mole Verde (cauliflower), Esquites (corn) and from the bar El Amano and La Rebanadita. Seth
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We were given a gift card for this place for Christmas. We booked our reservations over a month in advance. We'd heard about this place for a while and were excited to give it a try. All in all, it was an enjoyable experience but insanely expensive. My husband ordered a basic margarita on the rocks. Said it was good but more ice than anything. We tried the guacamole and it was very good but a bit heavy on the herbs on top. I was pleasantly surprised by the fresh dill on top and may try it in my own now. The basket of chips that came with it had a whopping 7 chips in it. My husband ordered the carne asada plate and I got the birria tacos. Both were delicious, but again, way overpriced. You'd think for a $28 taco plate you'd at least get rice and beans but that had to be ordered on the side. The restaurant was rather loud but not intolerable. The service was fast and friendly. We had a nice time and the food was good but the prices were just insane. Was nice to try once but we doubt we'll be back simply because of the expense.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sonora Carne Asada Tacos, Guacamole Con Hierbas, L a Birria Tacos
Restaurantji Recommends
My partner and I came to Amano to celebrate our 10th anniversary. Upon entering, we were graciously welcomed in and even treated to a complimentary glass of champagne for our special day. Ragner took great care of us, patiently reviewing the menu with us and making some great recommendations. Their mezcal menu is the most extensive I’ve ever seen, very impressive for Idaho!We settled on splitting the rojas de crema (for their last night!), cochinita pibil pork tacos and the carne asada platter. Ragner had warned us that the pork was spicy, but that it was his favorite menu item. I can see why! It definitely has a kick to it, but is so delicious- we could hardly put them down. The steak was excellent, succulent with a perfect smoky crust. My favorite part might have been the made-to-order tortillas- I could eat a basket of them plain.The food lives up to its reputation, but more importantly for us as an LGBTQIA+ ?️? couple, we weren’t sure how we’d be received. We felt appreciated and our love celebrated by everyone we encountered at Amano- not something we always encounter in Idaho. This might not be something everyone considers before going out, but it’s important to us. Thank you! We will definitely be back again soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak, Cochinita Pibil Tacos
Amazing food, aesthetic and service! Absolute gem to find in western Idaho.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
First time there, and it did not disappoint.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Guacamole Con Hierbas
Music is too loud, asked to turn it down. They did for 5 minutes.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Baja Cali Fish Tacos
This place was amazing. The atmosphere was so cool. Thanks to Brent who was behind the bar and also waited on us a fellow vegas person. He was so cool and helpful, if you sit at the bar definitely ask for Brent. So we sat right where they make the drinks and watching Joshua was so entertaining. Joshua also made one of the best Margaritas I had in a while. The food was incredibly tasty, the asada tacos were out of this world. My wife got the Chile relleno and absolutely loved it. We will definitely going back several times. I highly recommend this place. Oh if you like old architecture the ceiling is amazing and it is an old bank and if you go towards the back one of the old vaults is still there. Had another amazing dinner and drinks THANK YOU SO MUCH BRENT. I highly recommend having dinner and drinks here. Again if you sit at the bar ask for Brent. Tried the Saturday brunch and it was amazing definitely recommend. You are always treated like family, Ava and Emma are always so sweet and amazing. I can never say enough about this place. I will say it again I highly recommend Amano. Big shout out to my boy Brent thank you. Another great dinner thank you Ava for the amazing service and Emma also for the incredible service and again Brent for the incredible drinks. Like family there!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5