Consuelo Mexican Bistro

Reviews 6

CH

Christy Baker

So often in reviewing places (or maybe its forced choice selections of any type that challenge me), I find I want to click somewhere in between or both/and. Which brings me to a confession: I think I am incredibly privileged to have eaten in so many wonderful places over the years that often I feel like a harsh mistress when considering reviews and ratings, despite the side of me that wants to like and praise and find nice things to say about everyone and all places. Ah, Consuelo...you are a very good and fairly innovative California influenced take on Mexican food in a sea of such choices in this valley and state. Truly, I enjoyed my meal, had a nice margarita and each of my friends seemed to equally (if ultimately after one mis-step that was corrected promptly) enjoy their plates. The wait staff was attentive and the tapestry padded booth backs were comfortable and pretty against tile floor and some mosaic artwork. The selection of drinks and tequilla is longer and more elaborate than your quick neighborhood taqueria, but then, the price reflects their environment ($11 for the not overly large margarita; an equally good if somewhat simpler one a few weeks ago at my neighborhood Mexican restaurant at about double size was $6). Prior to the meal, in lieu of the standard chips and salsa, a nice variation of soft and warmed mini tortillas appeared with three dipping sauces (a spicy verde of sorts, a red medium chile, and a sweet citrus). The chile relleno I had for my entree was a more modern take on this dish (I had the vegetarian version) sans the normal batter/cheese topping with the cooked and stuffed chile atop a puree of black bean sauce. A side dish of plaintains was good with crema if a bit soft (Im a real fan of the chip style of preparation on plaintains) and served with a plain rice. While our group sat inside, there is also a few patio tables on the sidewalk outside where one can enjoy the Santana Row strolling crowds on pleasant night. Consuelos may be in a sea of Mexican offerings, but Ill definitely add it to my list for a return visit when Im on the Row again.

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PA

pam

What a great find! This Mexican restaurant is located on Santana Row across the street from Jardin, Tequila Bar and Restaurant. There is both plenty of indoor seating and ample patio seating with heat lamps. I wandered into this restaurant, unsure of what I really wanted to have for dinner that evening. After perusing the menu, I decided to order an appetizer, I wasnt very hungry and was just looking for a small light bite. Ended up ordering Quesadillas with steak and they were really good, filling, tasty and pleasing. Very rarely do I order Quesadillas, but am happy to have made the decision to do so that night. Before ordering, a small cup of tortilla chips were served to me, along with three different types of Salsa, all three salsas ranged in spiciness, but none were over the top spicy. My Quesadilla was served hot and quickly, honestly, they are the best quesadillas Ive had in a long time. The waitress, Lizette, was really sweet, friendly, amiable and helpful. Even though I had wanted a small bite/appetizer, she knew the quesadillas were not really a small bite. The patio of the restaurant was filled with more customers than the inside of the restaurant, it was a warm and pleasant evening to be sitting outside, enjoying a meal. Its comforting to find an affordable restaurant with good service and good food on Santana Row, will return when the opportunity arises.

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FR

fraulein casigan

I enjoy their pitcher of sangria. $14!! Yep, worth it. Plenty share around! Another happy hour location at Santana Row. However its only at the bar. Unfortunate, seating is very limited and the menu doesnt offer much. If you follow them on Twitter or LIKE them on Facebook, they do have specials during lunch, 50 percent off on desserts if youre a FAN on Facebook and Saturday brunch drinks are 50 percent off occasionally, so check on their Facebook or call in for more information because they do offer different things weekly. Better to keep your deals all the time during the week instead of changing it!! Starters (Antojitos): fresh guacamole and by surprise, it was damn tasty and fresh! It went well with the tortillas. Although, I had thought, "Do they have salsa and chips?" Main Course (tapas style): I had ordered Pechuga ranchera a la nata con espinacas $ 11. Tender chicken breast smothered in a creamy, well balanced guajillo chile sauce and sauteed spinach with shallot and garlic. Sounds good right? Well, from the sound of it...great. Looks and taste of it...seemed a bit bland. I was using the guacamole to give it a little more flavor. I was expecting to receive more out of my meal. Possibly next time, Ill give this place a try and order Mole poblano. Happy hour Monday-Friday, 3pm to 6pm

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RA

Rangaprabhu Parthasarathy

My wife and I decided to have a special lunch on a special occasion at Consuelo Mexican Bistro in the Santana Row neighborhood of San Jose. We had walked past this restaurant so many times in the past that we decided to finally give it a shot. It was a relatively warm winter afternoon and the Row was getting busy for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony scheduled for later that afternoon. We had a reservation but the restaurant was not crowded and we got seated outside thanks to the nice weather. We were greeted with some really nice tortillas and three salsas of varying spice levels. The tomatillo based verde was pretty spicy and very tasty. As we gobbled up the tortillas hungrily, our drink- an agua fresca of the day- pineapple juice, came in. It was fresh and tasty. Soon after, the food arrived. I had ordered a chile relleno. My wife had ordered a tortita de papa. The portions were reasonable but not large. The taste was excellent. We sampled both entrees and they were unique and fantastic. The relleno was not very spicy and quite flavorful. The vegetarian fare is limited but seems to be well thought out. We were impressed with the food and definitely plan on going there again.

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A

A Private User

My family was in the area on vacation and decided to try Consuelo for lunch. The meal started great, we ordered their guacamole which they make fresh at the table. Right after our entrees came out, one of the workers dropped a dish which has a lot of marinara sauce at the table next to us . The dish exploded and shot red sauce all over our entire tables wardrobes. The worker who dropped the dish said nothing to us. Our server came out in a panic and apologized, followed by the manager who offered to help with the dry cleaning fees. Once we calmed down from that, we began eating our meals. The bacon wrapped shrimp were undercooked - both the bacon and shrimp never cooked all the way through. The fried salmon had no flavor. The server removed 2 inexpensive items from our bill, still charging us approximately $80. Their service was awful, their food was awful - excluding the guac - and they ruined appx $500 worth of clothes and had the nerve to charge us at all. I will remember this place forever, as it was by far the worst restaurant encounter I have ever experienced.

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A

A Private User

where do I start ...restaurant is hot no air conditioning mind you this is san jose. Waiter made guacamole left no chips,had to haggle for a table outside that sat empty for 20 minutes. was given dirty silverware. when the food finally showed up the portions were really small, left hungry n spent 140.42 dollars. Ok but here's the kicker .......gave the waiter 160 dollars we sat about 15 minutes waiting for the waiter to come back when he didn't I went to look for him to ask about my change he kept repeating how much the bill was and how he usually gets TIP.....Ok I get it n I am a good tipper but aren't you suppose to bring to change back and let the customer decide how much do you wanna leave ? ??? I guess 20 dollars is a mandatory tips....I will never go back .

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