Consuelo Mexican Bistro

True Mexican or not, this place has a lot to be desired. I read several good reviews of this place so I talked a couple friends into going this past week. The menu looked very interesting, everything is Tapas style but a bit on the high $$ side. I figured the portions would make up for it. After ordering our appetizers and food, we realized what a rip off the place was. The margaritas were $10 bucks each for slightly above well quality tequila, the food portions were extremely smallI had a tiny chilli relleno with a side of rice for $15. All 3 of us were pretty disappointed with the value/quality which worked out to around $45 per person. The only thing that saved the meal were the complimentary tortillas that we kept re-ordering in order to feel like we had a satisfying meal. Pros: Location Cons: Food, Portion Size, Price more

The only thing I liked at this restaurant was the booth I got to sit in. Other than that, our waiter seemed rushed and indifferent towards us. He did not explain the menu or check up on us during our meal. The meat we ordered was plain and just not good. The tortillas and guacamole were ok, but I don't think it is difficult to mess those up. I do not recommend this place at all!!! Pros: location, pretty Cons: food, food, food more

I stick to my favorites, and here, it is the 'fresh fish' with green beans and truffle sauce. The fish is always perfect and I 'clean' the sauce off my plate. The mole chicken is too sweet, needs more flavor/spices. Improved greatly with salt. The guacamole is delicious, but not a value. The sangria is delicious - there were sweet mango pieces in it; but they added ICE! which watered it down. Ask for no ice. Pros: fresh fish dish Cons: ice in sangria more

Do you like 10 dollar margaritas? Then this is the place for you! As for the food, my meat was fatty, dried out and rubbery. The salad was big and the lettuce was fresh but it lacked flavor as the dressing was nothing but an oil coating on the leaves. The rice was bone dry. The dipping sauces for the tortillas were pretty good though. Sat outside and were told we could not sit in the front, we had to sit on the side even though tables were available, THIS should have been a clue! The service is shoddy, when dissatisfied the waitress was NO Help!! I had to call the manager. Want a good dinner and a pleasant evening out, LOOK ELSEWHERE. Pros: sauces, portions, the bus staff Cons: , food, their attitude more

Having been seated near the noisy kitchen at a ""4 top"", I asked to be moved to one of the 3 empty booths near the front. The leader of three young hostesses, dressed in that avant-garde sultry black, told me that they could not do this. Those booths were reserved for their ""best customers"" who had made reservations. The fact that I was a walk in and waited 45 minutes does not qualify us for a best customer! Perhaps if I had stood outside and called them from my cell phone and reserved a table, I would have qualified as a best customer. Service was sporadic. Seemed that if they lingered too long at your table, you might want something. Food was good but could have been better if it were not lukewarm. A free tip to the manager stop with the pretentiousness! Its just Mexican food!!! Pros: Food Cons: , Noise, Attitude more

The menu here is different than most Mexican places, and the food was good. We didn't think the price/value was very good. We had the guacamole, which was great (except there was too much to eat :) ) and a bunch of tapas. The plantains were great. The mango margarita was toxicly alcoholic, you could hardly taste mango. We were seated right away on a Friday night, without a reservation. We sat outside, which was alright, but it seemed sort of like a side street, which wasn't a great view. It is definitely worth a try, a welcome change from chain ""Mexican"" restaurants; the value isn't great, but neither is anything at Santana Row. more

Having lived in the southwest all my life and in Mexico City for 5 months, I was thrilled to find a restuarant which provided the pallette and tastes of the finest cooking found in Mexico. The dishes were tasty and authentic and the atmosphere joyful. Good job... more

Finally Mexican food that goes beyond Taco Bell Grande Supremo, Nacho Enchilado Don Paco, El Fish Taco Loco and Enchirrito Gordito Supreme... Across the board, this restaurant has done what no other restaurant has been able to accomplish. True complex Mexican flavors, textures, sauces and spices ensambled by Chef Alex Padilla for a wonderful dining experience. Las Aguas Frescas remind me of the nectars the Gods drank when thirsty and the margaritas and mojitos when they decided it was time to party. Keep up the good food and hurry up and open one in SF. The drive to SJ is a long but worth it. Pros: Texture, Flavors, Margaritas Cons: , Too many good dishes, I can't eat everythin more

Finally there is an authenthic mexican restaurant in the Bay area. The food is excellent, some of my favorites are the sopes, the ceviche, tortilla soup, cactus salad...crepas con cajeta. Can't wait to try the bruch menu. The staff is friendly and the atmosphere is really hipp! more

TThis restaraunt has a few good things going for it. Friendly staff and an interesting menu. The best thing that they do is a guacamole that's made tableside! You can choose how many and what kind of herbs and spices that you want in the mix! The problem for me was that although the table server was good and the spices plentiful, the avacado was unripe. That basically ruined the experience. The eye and psyche were pleased, but the taste buds were left wanting with the early avacodo. The only downside to an otherwise remarkable meal. Pros: service, presentation, variation Cons: quality control, price, value more

It's a shame that a prime location is being squandered. The service was flat, everyone seemed less than thrilled to be there. Few smiles and minimal information on the menu. The caesar salad was boring, the jicama salad oily and flavorless. The pork was fatty, but the Filet with chipotle was decent. The potato side dish had nice flavor but appeared to have been left out too long. We were never asked if we would like desert or coffee before being presented with the check. I would love to think that they were just having a bad night because the location has great potential, but given the lack of friendly service and mediocre food, I probably won't give it a second try. Pros: location, decor Cons: service , food more

It has great ambiance and great place to people watch. the bar drinks are great. I was a little disappointed with some of the dishes, not enough flavor. The tableside guacamole was excellent! The waitstaff is very friendly. more