Bacalar

My sister and I are Top Chef fans. The restaurant is very contemporary feeling. Our waitress was excellent! She was nice and had good rhythm. We ordered a bunch of dishes to share. My favorites being the guacamole and steak. We tried the mushroom and masa dish but the flavor was bland. The drinks were nice, but took a long time in my opinion even for a glass of wine.

We went to Bacalar to celebrate my husband’s birthday. The atmosphere, food, drinks, decor, and staff surpassed our expectations! The cuisine originates from the Yucatán peninsula which means that it incorporates Caribbean, Mexican, and Lebanese flavors. The food edged me out of my comfort zone, but was still filling, flavorful, and satisfied my soul in so many ways. The presentation was exquisite, and every dish looked like artwork! The atmosphere can be described as upscale casual- the staff is friendly, conversational and do everything they can to make you feel at home. When you go there, make sure to take a moment and walk through the restaurant (and the bathrooms!) to admire the decor. Each part of the restaurant has its own feel with spaces for casual lounging, family dining, quiet romantic dinners as well as a room for more formal parties, or corporate dining. I find myself wanting to go back again soon to try other menu items. This is the kind of place you can visit time and time again, and have a slightly different experience every time.

While food was enjoyable, I had less than a pleasant experience when the server accidentally spilled drinks on me. She apologized and helped me clean up. But I was expecting someone from management to come talk to me but that didn’t happen. My back was drenched in cold champagne for the most part of the night. I also think that the dimmed romantic vibe of the restaurant doesn’t match with the music that they’re playing. Food was amazing, service was good except for the spilled drinks part.

Wow what an amazing new restaurant for Austin! We had such a fun and well-rounded experience. The atmosphere is just stunning - in a great space with gorgeous artwork and thoughtful design. Our service was terrific with great care and attention to detail. And wow the food & drink! We found ourselves savoring every last bite truly appreciating all of the authentic flavors in each of Chef Gabe's dishes. The Cochinita Pibil is can't miss and gorgeously presented. Already can't wait to go back!

So, I can’t handle heat WHATSOEVER cracked pepper is too much for me, however; I watched Top Chef and had to try Gabe’s food so I ate what I could. This restaurant is beautiful. It’s spacious and has a lovely bar. The outside dining area is cozy but it was too windy when we went so we ate indoors. Our server was so patient and sweet. He made great suggestions as we honestly didn’t understand the menu whatsoever being new to Mexican and Middle-Eastern cuisine. We started off with the Izamal drink. It was strong but sweet. It was really delicious and helped me when the food was too spicy! It was a cute drink too with a heart in the ice. We ordered the scallop and bluefin tuna, the Polkanes, and the cochinita pibil. The scallop and bluefin tuna is just like the reviews state. Absolutely delectable, melt in your mouth good. Beware, if you can’t handle spice this was the spiciest dish we had and it was vibrating my entire mouth for at least twenty minutes after haha. Again, don’t be alarmed / totally order this but if you don’t do spice then take it slow - don’t shovel it down your throat like I did! Next came the Polkanes. They were cooked so well. Hard, crisp shell and gooey insides with black lentils. A lot of flavour for such a small bite and the avocado crema was so light! Lastly, we ordered the cochinita pibil which was so tender and flavourful. The tortillas are handmade and the mixture of everything was a perfect bite. I skipped the salsa but my husband had it and said the black salsa was no joke so red is ideal for the taco like dish. We ended the meal with a “goodbye” bite of sour orange. It was a shock to the tastebuds but in a good way. If you can handle the heat then check this spot out on your next date night or fancy outing with friends. Great spot to dine!

Bacalar was a nice dinner spot. I went with a large group of people and wanted to do multiple plates to share. This really isn’t what the restaurant is set up to do. I only say this because the plates to share are very small. The flavor of everything was very good though. 

Highlights: - Scallop & Bluefin Tuna - Sikil Pak & Guacamole - Kanpachi Ceviche - Smoked Chorizo Tacos (Brasas) - Luna’s Empandas - so good The Dessert with grilled pineapple was actually insane - absolutely delicious. Everything else on the menu is more of a pass. The stars are in the appetizers. 

Be prepared to spend some money here though, the portions are small. Cheers!

Went here for an anniversary dinner and the experience was incredible. They gave us champagne and a card signed by the staff to congratulate us on our celebration. The portions sizes are small but the quality is superb. Having been to many regions in Mexico, the flavor profile of the dishes are authentic. The atmosphere and service were phenomenal. I recommend anyone who wants a more elevated dinning experience to make a reservation!

Had an amazing experience at Bacalar tonight. Our server AB was extremely knowledgeable and made all the choices for us, which turned out to be the right decision. Everything was delicious, super flavorful. We wouldn't have changed a thing. What a great way to celebrate our anniversary. Thank you to the entire staff for congratulations card.