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Overall Ratings: ***1/2

Overall Review:  The food was delicious, and I would definitely go back when in Santa Fe.

Review Date:  March 19, 2007

Cuisine:  Serving authentic Spanish tapas and simple meals for lunch and dinner.

Alcohol:  Full service bar; beer & wine. They only feature South American and European wines. No U.S. wines were on the menu.  They also use a one-size wine glass for all their wine service - my pet peeve!

Attire:  Casual

Location: Located in downtown Santa Fe.

Open Hours: 
Tapas/Lunch - Monday-Saturday: 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Tapas only: 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Dinner Nightly: 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Parking:  Parking on the street.

Price Range:
Tapas: $4.00 to $16.00
Larger Plates:  $14.00 to $32.00
Four-course tasting menu is $45.00
Six-course tasting menu - $55.00

Reservations: Reservations suggested


 Rating Key Explanations:
* Bad (will never go back)

** Fair (below average - will not go back)

*** Good (would consider dining there again)

**** Very Good (will definitely go back)

***** Extraordinary (will be back as soon as possible)

I make every attempt to remain anonymous while reviewing each restaurant.  All meals are paid for by myself.  This way, I can report the most honest and trustworthy restaurant reviews possible. Other recognizable critics frequently get special food and service. I forgo any perks so that my restaurant experience will be similar to yours.

If you would like to add a review of this restaurant, email Linda Stradley. Also feel free to send me suggestions of restaurants for review.
 

 


la boca

 

72 West Marcy St.
Santa Fe, NW 87501

Phone: 503-982-3433

Map & Directions
 

The restaurant was packed. They even had diners sitting at the bar eating. The restaurant is small with tables very close together and is somewhat noisy because of the small space. The tables for two are really small (kind of like a nightstand) and hard to eat at when ordering several tapas as we did. It reminds me of a New York city restaurant. This restaurant seems to be a favorite with the locals. Call for a reservation if you don't want a long wait.

At dinner, you can order tapas or full-size entrées like paella ($24), We ordered a selection of different tapas and all were delicious.

Tapas (Following are the tapas from their menu):

Marinated Catalian olives. $4.00

Fried Marcona almonds. $5.00

Alcaparonnes: Spanish caperberries. $4.00

Grilled asparagus with black olive salsa and reggiano. $6.00

Fire roasted eggplant with tomatoes, cilantro & coriander, grilled yogurt flatbread. $6.00

Grilled artichokes with Spanish goat cheese, orange & mint. $8.00

Carrot-garbanzo hummus with cumin, mint, lemon & grilled yogurt flatbread. $7.00

Grilled sweet potatoes with Moroccan red curry. $6.00

Baby spinach baked with goat cheese & onion-raisin compota. $7.00

Bruschetta with crimini mushrooms, egg, truffle oil & reggiano. $10.00

Potato-white-bean-manchego gratin baked in cazuela. $6.00

Pinchos de pollo: skewered chicken thighs with harissa. $9.00

Fried egg with chorizo & potatoes. $6.00

Pork fennel sausage with pomegranate & piment de'espellette. $7.00

Linguine with clams, garlic, olive oil & chile. $10.00

Canelones filled with lump crab & scallops with manchego cream. $13.00

Moroccan grilled shrimp with sweet pea-basil puree. $12.00

Tuna carpaccio with olives, blood orange aioli & smoked sea salt. $12.00

Sliced beef rib-eye with "gran cru" gruyere & carmelized onions. $16.00

Grilled baby octopus with ginger, garlic & hot smoked paprika. $12.00

 

Desserts:  I took photos of the desserts we ordered, but forgot to write down what my husband ordered and the prices.


pot de creme